The ACT Government has introduced reforms to home swimming pool safety, with a focus on swimming pool safety barriers. The scheme commenced on 1 May 2024, with a four-year transition period for homeowners to make sure that their swimming pool or spa has a safety barrier compliant with the prescribed safety standards or obtain an exemption.

The new rules apply to all ACT home swimming pools and spas that can contain water to a depth greater than 30cm and are associated with a residential building such as a house, unit, townhouse or block of apartments. This includes in-ground and above-ground pools, temporary and permanent pools, wading pools, demountable pools, portable pools, kids’ pools and spas.

The changes that need to be made to swimming pool and spa safety barriers will depend on the type of safety barrier that is currently in place and the location of the swimming pool or spa in relation to other buildings, structures and boundary fences on the property. Any swimming pool or spa built, altered or installed since 1 May 2013 has been legally required to be compliant with the prescribed safety standards. Thus, any work on these swimming pools and spas should be limited.

From 1 May 2028 all residential swimming pools and spas in the ACT must have a pool safety barrier compliant with prescribed safety standards.