Which pools need a fence
Any pool capable of holding water over 300mm deep that incorporates a filtration system needs a compliant barrier. That includes all inground pools - concrete, fibreglass and vinyl-lined - all above-ground pools, all spa pools and spa baths over 300mm deep, plunge pools, lap pools and swim spas.
The AS 1926.1 barrier requirements
These are the core specifications a pool barrier must meet.
- Minimum barrier height: 1.2 metres from finished ground level on the outside
- Maximum gap under the barrier: 100mm
- Maximum gap between vertical members: 100mm
- Non-climbable zone: 900mm on the outside of the barrier, with no climbable objects within it
- Gate self-closing: the gate must close from any open position
- Gate self-latching: the latch must be inside the pool area, at least 1.5 metres above ground
- Gate swing: the gate must swing outward, away from the pool
- Boundary fence as a barrier: permitted only if it is at least 1.8 metres and meets the non-climbable zone from inside the pool area
The completion safety inspection
After construction, the council or a private certifier inspects the barrier against AS 1926.1. A passing inspection issues a Certificate of Compliance, which must be retained. Council will not sign the pool off until the fence passes - which is why fencing belongs in the build timeline, not after it.
On the sale of a property, the vendor must provide compliance evidence under SA conveyancing requirements. Existing pools are subject to periodic re-inspection every 3 years under the regulations.
The penalties for a non-compliant fence
A non-compliant barrier carries an initial expiation notice of $315, and the court-imposed maximum penalty for non-compliance with the regulations is $15,000. If a child is injured because of a non-compliant barrier, the property owner may face civil liability and council action.
Compliance is not a formality - it is the whole point of the barrier. Every builder in the Pool Builders Adelaide network builds fencing to AS 1926.1 as standard.