New Pool Safety Laws

New Pool Safety Laws have just been introduced in QLD. These Laws will effect just about everyone whether you are a general home owner, landlord, tenant, sellers or buyer.

The new laws have been put in place to help save the lives of toddler drownings. Owners of pools and spas face massive fines should they fail to adhere to the new laws.

DM Realty has produced a free report and free information pack on How To Avoid Massive Fines With The New QLD Pool Safety Laws.

Register for your pack by calling 1300 410340

Below is a copy of the Fast Track Guide from the pack.

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How To Avoid Massive Fines

With The New QLD Pool Safety Laws

Fast Track Guide

Tip # 1

The first stage of these laws came into effect on 1 December 2009 for new pools only. The second stage is for pre-existing regulated pools take effect as of 1 December 2010. All owners of regulated pools must now comply with the 1 state standard.

Tip # 2

All properties with regulated pools need to be included in the state-based pool safety register by May 2011.

Tip # 3

General home owners who are not renting or selling have to make sure their pool fence complies with the New Qld Pool Safety Laws within 5 years.  Pool owners have until 30 November 2015 to comply with the new pool safety standards, or earlier if their property is sold or leased before then.

Tip #4

For Landlords there are different rules depending on whether the pool is situated is non shared (eg in a house) or a shared pool (eg in a unit complex).

Landlords of both non shared pools or shared pools need to ensure that before entering into a new or renewed lease for a property with a non-shared pool, the owner must ensure a pool safety certificate is in effect for the pool. For non shared pools this applies as of 1 December 2010. For shared pools have a longer period to comply unless a lot is sold with the complex and so the timeframe will be 90 days from settlement if not already done by settlement.

Tip # 5

Should a tenant be the owner of a pool they too need to comply with the new standards.

Tip # 6

With regards to the sale of a property the owner needs to disclose to the buyer whether the pool complies to the new standard by settlement. If is doesn’t the buyer needs to comply to the new standard within 90 days of settlement.

Tip # 7

New pool safety laws require the latest cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign to be displayed near your pool.

Tip # 8

Signs to warn the public that a swimming pool is under construction must also be displayed. This requirement does not apply to portable pools

Tip # 9

Exemptions may be granted. If the exemption is granted on conditions, the applicant must comply with each condition of the exemption. The local government may revoke the exemption in which case the applicant must comply with the revocation notice.

Tip # 10

A person in charge of a hospital must, unless the person has a reasonable excuse, notify the chief executive (health) if an examination of a young child by a doctor in the hospital indicates that the child has been involved in a pool immersion incident.

Tip # 11

Access to regulated pool need to be kept secure. Owners needs to ensure that any gate or door giving access to the pool is kept securely closed at all times when the gate or door is not in use.

Tip # 12

Further information can be sourced by contacting

Department of Infrastructure and Planning

Telephone: 07 3227 8548
Fax: 07 3224 4683
Email: info@dip.qld.gov.au
Postal address: PO Box 15009, City East, Queensland 4002

Pool Safety Council

Telephone: 1800 340 634
Email: psc@dip.qld.gov.au
Postal address: GPO Box 907 Brisbane, Queensland 4001