Pool compliance certificates in NSW
Last checked 5 Nov 2026 against the NSW legislation and official pages listed at the end.
To sell or lease a home with a pool or spa in NSW you need one of three documents: a certificate of compliance (valid 3 years), a relevant occupation certificate, or, for a sale only, a certificate of non-compliance (valid 1 year; the buyer then has 90 days after settlement to fix the pool). The pool must be on the NSW Swimming Pool Register first.
Which document you need
| Document | Selling | Leasing | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of compliance | Yes | Yes | 3 years |
| Relevant occupation certificate | Yes | Yes | See your certifier |
| Certificate of non-compliance | Yes; the buyer fixes it within 90 days of settlement | No | 1 year |
Who can inspect
Your council or a registered private certifier. The NSW Swimming Pool Register's list dated 30 Apr 2025 named 357 private certifiers, 133 of them registered as pool inspectors.
Before the inspection: the common fails
- The gate doesn't self-close from every position, or doesn't latch by itself. Gates must swing outwards, away from the pool.
- The fence is under 1.2 m high from the finished ground on the outside.
- Something climbable is near the fence: pot plants, chairs, a barbecue, toys, a tree or shrub.
- Gaps or footholds in the fence that a child could climb.
- No warning sign with supervision and resuscitation information.
Fixing these first can save a re-inspection fee.
Booking an inspection
Booking through Plunge Pool Planner opens in December. Until then, contact your council or a certifier on the NSW Swimming Pool Register's list.
Inspection fees: council fees are capped by regulation. We're confirming the current cap against the Swimming Pools Regulation before we publish a number.
Common questions
Do I need a pool certificate to sell my house in NSW?
Yes. You need a certificate of compliance, a relevant occupation certificate, or a certificate of non-compliance. With a non-compliance certificate, the buyer has 90 days after settlement to fix the pool.
Do I need a pool certificate to lease my property?
Yes. A landlord needs a certificate of compliance or a relevant occupation certificate. A certificate of non-compliance isn't enough for a lease.
How long is a pool compliance certificate valid in NSW?
3 years. A certificate of non-compliance is valid for 1 year.
Who can issue a pool compliance certificate?
Your council or a registered private certifier who is accredited to inspect pools.
Does my pool need to be registered first?
Yes. Every pool and spa in NSW must be on the NSW Swimming Pool Register before you can get a certificate. Registering online is free.
Keep reading
- Greater Hume Council: pool barrier compliance, checked 28 Oct 2026
- REINSW: pools need to comply (validity, 90 days), checked 3 Nov 2026
- NSW Swimming Pool Register: private certifier list (30 Apr 2025), checked 3 Nov 2026
- NSW Government: every pool and spa must be on the register, checked 4 Nov 2026
- NSW Swimming Pool Register, checked 28 Oct 2026
- City of Ryde: pool register FAQ (fees, dated), checked 28 Oct 2026
- Goulburn Mulwaree Council: pool fencing FAQ (gates, non-climbable zone, signs), checked 4 Nov 2026