Swimming Pool Regulations NSW

April 22, 2025

A safe pool helps prevent accidents and potential drownings. Most drownings in residential pools involve children younger than five, and in many cases, incorrect or improper fencing is a contributing factor. NSW swimming pool regulations can be complex, and it’s important you understand them before installing a pool. We’ve simplified the language to make sure you’re in the know. 

Table of Contents

Construction

If you’re installing a pool, it’s up to you and the builder to ensure your construction site is secure. Your builder’s responsibility ends when work is completed and certification is issued.


If you live on a property where a pool is being built – even if you’re not the owner – you must install and maintain a sign reading “this swimming pool is not to be occupied or used”. This sign should only be removed after appropriate certification has been provided.

Pool fencing

In NSW, pool fences are required to:


  • measure at least 1.2m high from the ground, with any perforated or mesh barrier having holes smaller than 13mm
  • measure 1.8m high if connected with a boundary fence, with any perforated or mesh barrier having holes less than 100mm
  • have gaps smaller than 10cm from the ground, and between any vertical bars
  • have gaps at least 90cm between horizontal and climbable bars
  • not include doors or windows
  • be well-maintained and operational

Non-climbable zone

You must establish and maintain a “non-climbable zone” around your pool to prevent children from climbing into the area. This zone should measure in a 90cm arch from the top of your fencing to the ground and carry 30cm into your pool area. It should not include any vegetation, furniture, toys, ladders, or other potential footholds or handholds.

Pool barriers

If your pool barrier has a door, it must self-close, self-latch, open away from your pool, and only be able to be opened by hand. It’s also required to have a non-climbable zone, with a latching device at least 1.5m off the ground.

Pool gates

Your pool gate must always be closed. Gates cannot open towards the pool area and must close and lock automatically. If your gate doesn’t comply, it must be rehung or permanently locked until revisions can be made.

Signage

You must attach relevant, visible warning CPR signage to your pool fence and gate. This sign should be readable from 3 metres away, and in good condition.

Access

The Swimming Pool Regulation 2018 states that access to your pool from your property must be restricted. You must:

  • design, build, install and maintain doors and windows correctly
  • ensure windows do not have footholds wider than 10mm between the lowest window panel and within 1.1 below the panel base

Get in touch today

For a quality pool installation in Port Macquarie, choose Gibson Family Pools. We offer outstanding concrete and fibreglass pool solutions, as well as professional installations and honest advice. Contact us today on 02 6581 3232 to speak to our friendly team, explore our range of products, or arrange a free assessment and quote. 

Locally family-owned & operated

Simone and Jeremy Tydd, Lake Cathie


Thanks so much for all your help. We are very happy with the pool. It was a very easy process and we will definitely be recommending Gibson Family Pools to others.

Brendan and Catherine Moylan, Moree


A quick note to say thank you for the great job that you and all of the team did for us. The entire process was very smooth and we were extremely happy with the final product. Jayson's suggestions regarding the positioning of the pool and even his landscaping ideas were very much appreciated. Your team were all very professional and courteous during the construction phase, I've never seen such a tidy construction site! The fact that the boys even filled in the small wheel marks on the lawn with top soil when they left highlights the excellent attention to detail that was evident throughout the project. Thanks again for an excellent job and for all of your help.  

Fred and Leilani Garcia,Port Macquarie


We would like to thank Jayson, Katwin and the rest of the team at Gibson Family pools for installing our pool. Jayson listened to what we wanted and his advice and suggestions were to our needs and budget. We had a hassle free experience from day one and the process was made easy as Katwin and Jayson took care of everything from the paperwork, dealing with local council to the installation process. The team were friendly and professional and got the work completed within the time frame given - we praise their efforts given the time of year.

 

 

We will be using Gibson Family Pools for our future property and we highly recommend them above any other local pool installation company. 

Richard and Sheryl, Tamworth


We are really happy with our new pool. Jayson was able to give us great suggestions on how the pool would work best with our house and yard and the travertine tiling around the pool looks fantastic. The entire team were easy to work with and went out of their way to please us.

 

A friend suggested that we contact Jayson and Katwin when we were considering a pool and in turn we have had no hesitation in recommending Gibson Family Pools to our friends. Thank you very much for a great result at a much better price than other quotes we received. 

Robert Wright, Tamworth


I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to Jayson and your company for everything that you have done over the last 12 months in the design and implementation of our pool and surrounds. Jayson has been awesome, I like his casual attitude and approach ability, but professional approach to getting the job done. The time he spent with us was invaluable in getting our ideas into reality. The pool has made a massive difference to our lives already, and it is not even summer yet!  

Alan and Annette Bradford, Forster


Thank you Jayson, Katwin and staff of Gibson Family Pools for your totally professional and efficient installation of our new pool. From our first enquiry to the clean up on completion we could not have asked for anything better.

 

We have previously had three pools installed by big name companies who find extras almost every day and don’t turn up when promised. It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with your company and having your staff on site.

Rod and Naomi Miller, Port Macquarie


We have nothing but praise for Gibson Family Pools. We shopped around and couldn't fault their service from the very first email, very first site visit, install and finally through to the after sales service.

 

When the pool was finished you couldn't even tell that large machinery had been used to install the pool, so neat was the installation process. We changed our mind a few times regarding the concrete layout, all changes were accommodated without fuss. Our funds were limited so Katwin and Jayson worked to our budget.  

Rob and Tane Power, Port Macquarie


Just a quick note of thanks for our fantastic new pool. We found the experience to be painless and trouble free. Jayson went out of his way to source a pool that met our requirements and worked with us throughout the whole design and installation process.

 

The new pool area looks great, everything is functioning as it should and I would recommend Gibson Family Pools to anyone considering a new pool.

Lindsay and Bree Moller, Port Macquarie


I just wanted to thank you for our amazing new pool and spa. Choosing the Brooklyn design was the best thing we ever did. The kids just love jumping from the spa to the pool, then wading area and back again. It's like having 3 pools in one. They could honestly do it for hours on end. The hard part is getting them out by the end of the day. The Connect 10 setup with heat pump has been fantastic. We can heat the spa to 37 degrees in just 2-3 hours. I never thought it would be so quick. AMAZING!

 

Thanks again to everyone who worked on it, especially Jayson and his team.  

Simone and Jeremy Tydd, Lake Cathie


Thanks so much for all your help. We are very happy with the pool. It was a very easy process and we will definitely be recommending Gibson Family Pools to others.

Brendan and Catherine Moylan, Moree


A quick note to say thank you for the great job that you and all of the team did for us. The entire process was very smooth and we were extremely happy with the final product. Jayson's suggestions regarding the positioning of the pool and even his landscaping ideas were very much appreciated. Your team were all very professional and courteous during the construction phase, I've never seen such a tidy construction site! The fact that the boys even filled in the small wheel marks on the lawn with top soil when they left highlights the excellent attention to detail that was evident throughout the project. Thanks again for an excellent job and for all of your help.  

Award-winning team

Awarded NSW & ACT Regional 2017

Residential Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000

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