The short answer

Every South Australian pool or spa that holds 30cm or more of water must have a continuous safety barrier, maintained by the owner:

  • At least 1.2 metres high, with no way for young children to crawl under or climb over.
  • A boundary fence used as part of the barrier: at least 1.8 metres on the pool side, with a 900 millimetres non-climbable zone at the top inside.
  • No gaps larger than 100mm, and nothing climbable.
  • Gates that swing outward and self-close from any position, with the latch at least 1.5 metres above the ground.

Pool fence cost calculator

Measure the length of fence the pool needs - leave out any wall of the house that forms part of the barrier. Prices are the per-metre bands from our fencing cost guide.

Estimated pool fence cost$6,000 to $16,000

Fence
Pool fencing — glass (per m), 20 m
Price row
$300 to $800 per metre

Gates are extra: a single gate is $250 to $650 on our fencing cost guide.

New pools

The fence must be installed before a new pool is filled with water. Since 1 April 2014, councils must inspect new pools within two months of the permanent child-safety barriers being completed. Barriers must be built to Australian Standard AS 1926.1.

Selling a home with a pool

South Australia does not require an existing pool to be inspected, including when the property is sold. The exception is a pool built before 1 July 1993: its child-safety barriers must comply with Ministerial Building Standard MBS 004 before settlement, and the maximum penalty for failing to is $15 000.

Only council officers have the legal authority to enforce pool safety requirements.

What a pool fence costs

Prices from our fencing cost guide:

Ask the installer to confirm in writing that the fence, gate and latch will meet your state's standard, and who arranges the inspection or certificate.

Frequently asked questions

How high does a pool fence need to be in SA?

At least 1.2 metres, or at least 1.8 metres on the pool side where a boundary fence is part of the barrier.

Can I fill my pool before the fence is up in SA?

No. The fencing must be installed before a new pool is filled with water.

Does my pool need an inspection to sell my house in SA?

Not usually: South Australia does not require existing pools to be inspected on sale. A pool built before 1 July 1993 must have barriers that meet MBS 004 before settlement.

How high does the pool gate latch need to be in SA?

At least 1.5 metres above ground level, out of reach of small children.

What is the penalty for a non-compliant pool when selling in SA?

Up to $15 000 for failing to meet pool safety standards before selling a home with a pool.

Compare quotes from local pool fencing installers, and ask each one to confirm the fence will meet the standard that applies to your pool.

Get pool fencing quotes →

Sources

This guide summarises the law; it is not legal advice. The rules for your property can turn on its date, its council and any approval it carries - check with your council or the state regulator below. Checked against these pages in October 2026:

  1. SA.GOV.AU - Pool and spa safety (sa.gov.au) · www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/keeping-your-property-safe/pool-and-spa-safety
  2. Swimming pool fences and safety (lawhandbook.sa.gov.au) · www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch31s02s05.php
  3. sa.gov.au (sa.gov.au) · www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/19389/Is_your_swimming_pool_kid_safe.p

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