Category A1-A3 and E1 certifiers are reminded of their legal obligations when inspecting swimming pools.
Certifiers have a regulatory role and can’t 'inspect and advise' – if a pool barrier is non-compliant, the certifier is required to issue a notice under the Swimming Pools Act, explaining the non-compliance and what's needed to make the barrier compliant.
The owner then has six weeks to make the pool compliant. If the barrier still doesn't comply, the certifier must notify the council (but should notify the council immediately if the pool presents a significant public safety risk).
Swimming pools require a separate child-resistant barrier
All swimming pools in NSW must have a child-resistant barrier that is a separate structure to the pool itself – the wall of an out-of-ground pool is notan acceptable child-resistant barrier.