The short answer
Every state requires a safety barrier around a pool or spa that can hold about 30cm or more of water. In Queensland, NSW, WA and South Australia the barrier rules are much the same:
- Height: at least 1.2 metres (1200mm) from finished ground level.
- Gaps: no gap under the fence, or between bars, bigger than 100mm (10cm).
- Nothing to climb: a 900mm non-climbable zone, kept clear of footholds, furniture and plants.
- Gates: open outwards, away from the pool, and self-close and self-latch from any open position. In Queensland, WA and South Australia the latch must be at least 1500mm (1.5 metres) off the ground.
Where the states differ is paperwork: registration, inspections and the certificate you need to sell or rent. The table below sets out each state, with a full guide for Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA and South Australia.
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.
Registration, inspections and certificates by state
| State | Register, inspect or certify | Selling, renting and other rules |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Register the pool with the QBCC. | A pool safety certificate is needed to sell or lease - valid 1 year for a shared pool, 2 years for a non-shared pool. |
| NSW | Register on the NSW Swimming Pool Register. | The sale contract and the lease need pool certificates; a certificate of compliance is valid for 3 years. |
| Victoria | Register with the council; the barrier is inspected every four years. | A barrier compliance certificate must be lodged with council within 30 days of issue. |
| WA | The local government inspects the barrier at least every four years. | Every pool needs building approval; new pools are inspected within 30 days of completion. |
| South Australia | No inspection of existing pools, including on sale. Councils inspect new pools. | A pool built before 1 July 1993 must meet MBS 004 before a sale settles. |
| ACT | Pools built before 1 May 2013 need a compliance certificate before 1 May 2028. | Pool information must be disclosed on sale or lease. |
| Tasmania | Barriers are installed by a licensed builder and overseen by a licensed building surveyor. | Pools from 1994 onwards that hold 300mm or more need a barrier. |
| NT | A compliance certificate confirms a pool safety adviser has inspected the barrier. | A landlord needs a compliance certificate or acknowledgement notice before renting. |
Pool fence height
The minimum is 1.2 metres, measured from finished ground level: 1200mm in Queensland, 1.2m in NSW, 1.2 m on the outside in WA and 1.2 metres in South Australia. Where a boundary fence forms part of the barrier it must be 1.8m high in NSW and 1.8 metres on the pool side in South Australia.
Gaps and the non-climbable zone
The gap from the ground to the bottom of the fence, and between vertical bars, must be no more than 100mm in Queensland and WA (10cm in NSW). The fence needs a non-climbable zone of 900mm: in Queensland at least one 900mm gap between rails, in NSW climbable rails at least 90cm apart and the 90cm around the fence kept clear of trees, barbeques, pot plants, ladders and chairs.
Gates and latches
Pool gates must open outwards, away from the pool, and close and latch by themselves from any open position. The latch must be at least 1500mm from the ground in Queensland and WA, and 1.5 metres in South Australia. In Queensland, propping a pool gate open is an offence.
Who pays for a pool fence on the boundary?
The pool owner. In Queensland the pool owner pays the full cost of dividing fence work needed for the pool fence to comply, and in NSW any extra dividing fence cost for enclosing a pool is met by the owner of the property with the pool.
What a pool fence costs
Prices from our fencing cost guide:
- Pool fencing — glass (per m): $300 to $800 per metre
- Pool fencing — aluminium (per m): $100 to $350 per metre
- Fence gate — single: $250 to $650
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 Australia?
At least 1.2 metres from finished ground level (1200mm in Queensland). Where a boundary fence is part of the barrier, NSW and South Australia require 1.8 metres.
What is the maximum gap under a pool fence?
100mm from finished ground level in Queensland and WA, and 10cm in NSW. Gaps between bars have the same limit.
Do pool gates have to open outwards?
Yes. Pool gates must swing outwards, away from the pool, and self-close and self-latch from any open position.
Does an inflatable pool need a fence?
Usually, yes. The laws cover portable and inflatable pools that can hold 30cm (300mm) or more of water in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. In the ACT a temporary pool up for no longer than three consecutive days is exempt.
Do I need a pool safety certificate to sell my house?
In Queensland, yes - or the seller lodges a Form 36 and the buyer has 90 days after settlement to get one. In NSW the sale contract must include pool certificates. South Australia does not inspect existing pools on sale, except pools built before 1 July 1993.
Who pays for a pool fence on a shared boundary?
The pool owner. In Queensland the pool owner pays the full cost of the dividing fence work the pool fence needs, and in NSW the owner of the property with the pool meets the extra cost.
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:
- Home swimming pool safety reforms - City and Environment Directorate - Planning (planning.act.gov.au) · www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-projects/building-regulatory-system/home-swimmi
- Dividing fences | State Library of New South Wales (sl.nsw.gov.au) · www.sl.nsw.gov.au/find-legal-answers/books-online/neighbours-and-law/dividing-fe
- Owning a pool or spa: your obligations | NSW Government (nsw.gov.au) · www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/pools-and-
- Get a compliance certificate or acknowledgement notice (nt.gov.au) · nt.gov.au/property/homeowners-and-landlords/pool-or-spa/install-a-pool-or-spa/ap
- Pools or spas at rental properties (nt.gov.au) · nt.gov.au/property/homeowners-and-landlords/pool-or-spa/pools-or-spas-at-rental-
- Buy, sell or lease a property with a pool | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/buy-sell-lease-property-pool
- Inspect and certify a pool | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/inspect-certify-pool
- Pool fences | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/pool-safety-standard/pool-fenc
- Gates, latches and hinges | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/pool-safety-standard/gates-lat
- Swimming pool safety laws | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/swimming-pool-safety-laws
- Register a pool | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/register-pool
- SA.GOV.AU - Pool and spa safety (sa.gov.au) · www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/keeping-your-property-safe/pool-and-spa-safety
- Pool safety barriers | Consumer Affairs (consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au) · consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au/topics/products-services/safety/pool-safety-barriers
- Pool and spa inspections and compliance | Building and Plumbing Commission (bpc.vic.gov.au) · www.bpc.vic.gov.au/home-owners/home-renovation-and-building-essentials/swimming-
- Swimming pools and spas | Building and Plumbing Commission (bpc.vic.gov.au) · www.bpc.vic.gov.au/home-owners/home-renovation-and-building-essentials/swimming-
- Swimming pool and spa safety barrier requirements (wa.gov.au) · www.wa.gov.au/organisation/building-and-energy/swimming-pool-and-spa-safety-barr
- wa.gov.au (wa.gov.au) · www.wa.gov.au/media/60087/download?inline
Related guides
- Pool fence laws in Queensland
- Pool fence laws in NSW
- Pool fence laws in Victoria
- Pool fence laws in WA
- Pool fence laws in South Australia
- Dividing fence laws: who pays, state by state
- Fencing Cost Per Metre in Australia (2026)
- How much does a swimming pool cost in Australia?
- Fence Calculator: Colorbond, Timber and Pool Fence Cost