City of South Perth - Swimming Pool/Spa Applications

Swimming Pool/Spa Applications

Guiding information and access to online lodgement for a new swimming pool or spa or for removal.

Last updated on: 04 September 2024

In this article

Swimming Pools
Application information
Register or sign in
Submit an application
Lodgement guidance
Post lodgement process

Swimming Pools

Many Australian families enjoy time spent using their swimming pools. With over 2,500 residential swimming pools in the City of South Perth, it is imperative that swimming pool safety barriers restrict access to pools by young children. Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death of children from 0-5 years old. As such, there are specific laws in WA that mandate the installation of a safety barrier to enclose domestic swimming pools and spas.

Application information

Building Permit

Under the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012, building permits are required for:

Swimming pools
Spas.

Swimming pools and spas that are capable of holding water that is more than 300mm deep require a building permit from the City prior to their construction or installation. This includes inflatable and portable above-ground pools/spas.

If you plan to install a swimming pool and/or spa on your property, you must first obtain a Building Permit from the City as per application links below.

Safety barriers

Under the Building Regulations 2012, all property owners and occupiers with a domestic swimming pool and/or spa (including those which are inflatable and portable above ground) containing water that is more than 300mm deep, are required to have a compliant safety barrier around the pool and/or spa. This is to restrict access by young children to the pool and/or spa and its immediate surrounds. A compliant safety barrier is one which is in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1926.1.

Once installed, all pool and spa barriers must be inspected and approved by the City, before a pool or spa can be filled with water. The City is bound by legislation that requires every swimming pool and spa in the City to be inspected by an authorised person, once every four years, to ensure safety is maintained in accordance with the Australian Standard.

It is the owner/occupier's responsibility to ensure that the safety barrier is compliant, operating and maintained at all times. A Rules for Pools and Spas simple checklist for residents can help you check some of the basic elements of pool safety barriers.

Other requirements

A pool safety barrier must comply with the provisions of the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standard AS 1926.1 2012 and Building Regulations 2012

Pools or spas installed before 5 November 2001 are required to restrict access from the house, adjoining properties and the road. Doors are permitted to lead directly into the pool area but must be compliant with Australian Standard AS 1926.1 - 1993
Pools or spas installed on or after 5 November 2001 are required to have an isolation fence. There must be a compliant fence or gate between any door and the pool/spa area. No door is allowed to lead directly into the pool area
For pools or spas installed on or after 1 May 2016, a boundary barrier must be a minimum of 1.8m in height if it is being used as part of the safety barrier
It should be noted that if a swimming pool or spa is located to the front of the property, and a front boundary fence will form part of the pool safety barrier, planning approval may be required from the City's statutory planning services for the 1.8m front fence
Please be aware that under the Building Regulations 2012, a fine of $5,000 can be imposed for a failure to provide a compliant pool safety barrier
For further information, please refer to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.

Builders responsibility - Notice of Completion

Decommissioning/removing a pool or spa

For a swimming pool or spa to be considered decommissioned, it must be rendered such that it cannot hold water. Such measures to decommission, as a minimum may include:

removing the structure altogether
placing sizable hole(s) in the deepest point of the pool or spa and removing the filter and access ladders. Consideration must be given to soil permeability, height of the water table height and ensuring good drainage and no blockage of holes
placing sizable hole(s) in the deep end of the pool and multiple other locations, filling with clean fill and compacting.

Building application enquiries

One of the City's building information officers is available to attend to general building application enquiries during business hours. Enquiries can be made as follows:

By phone - a message will be taken if the building information officer is unavailable
In person - by appointment at the Civic Centre. Please call to make an appointment
In person - from 9.30-10.30am or 3-4pm at the Civic Centre (no booking required).

Fees

Under the Building Regulations 2012, the City is required to inspect private swimming pool/spa barriers at an interval of no more than four years. The regulations permit the City to levy an annual fee for the administration and inspection of private swimming pool/spa barriers.

In addition, the City will impose an initial new swimming pool inspection fee at the time a Building Permit application is lodged.

Refer to the City's Fees & Charges for related fees. Search 'swimming pool' for the relevant fees.

Register or sign in

To submit an application, you will need to register or sign in for a mySouthPerth account. Click the Register and Sign In option at the top right of this page to proceed.

For assistance with your mySouthPerth account, visit our information page.

Already signed in?

If you see your initials at the top right-hand corner of this page, you are already signed in.

Submit an application

To submit an application, proceed below.

Before you begin

Prior to commencing the application via the link below, ensure you have an electronic copy (eg scan) of the following documentation before completing the application process:

Application for Building Permit Form, either certified or uncertified
One set of architectural and structural drawings, site plan and details
Construction Training Fund Levy (CTF) receipt if contract value is over $20,000.

You will be required to attach this information during the application process.

Certificate of Design Compliance example

Application attachments

Please ensure you are attaching all plans, materials and supporting information relevant to the application as part of your initial lodgement. Any omissions or additional materials will be required to be sent as separate emails, which will be limited to standard email size limitations (eg 10MB).

I have a Certificate of Design Compliance

Apply for Building Permit – Certified BA01

I DO NOT have a Certificate of Design Compliance

Apply for Building Permit – Uncertified BA02

I want to notify of removal of pool or spa.

Notify removal of Pool/Spa

Lodgement guidance

Type of location - property or land?

When lodging your application, you are presented with two options to search the location.

To use the Property search method, click on Property and enter the street number and street name (eg 199 Thelma Street, or 2/203 Thelma Street, or 205B Thelma Street).

To use the Land search method, click on Land and enter the lot number and plan number (eg Lot 3497 DP187254, or Lot 1 SP5985).

Where can I find the lot and plan numbers?

Refer to the Certificate of Title, especially if it has been recently subdivided.

Alternatively, you can refer to the City's mapping tool. Via mapping, search and select the location. Scroll down to the Land - Property Information section via the information to the right of the page. The data for the land search is the Lot on Plan data. You can copy and paste this information into the land search when you start your application.

What if there are no land details in mapping?

I cannot lodge as I have errors

Do I complete any section/s with 'for City officer use only' in it?

How do I attach documents?

The lodgement process may include requirements to attach documents. Please refer to the Before you begin section on this page in relation to requirements and ensure you have this information prior to commencing the process. You will be presented with options for mandatory and optional documentation.

Mandatory documentation

Mandatory document types will be displayed within the mandatory documentation section. There may be more than one document required, and the name of each document will be listed.

To add the document, click the Add button, search and select the correct document then click Open. A pop up will display with your document name as well as the attachment type. Select Save when complete. The document will then be uploaded to the lodgement.

Please note, if you have more than one document for this mandatory field, you can select Add Another via the pop up or Add via the main screen once you have attached the first document.

Complete the process for each mandatory attachment type.

Optional documentation

The lodgement process will also include the ability to attach optional documentation. Please ensure you refer to the Before you begin section of this page for guidance on required documentation as not all may be listed as mandatory.

To attach optional documentation, click the Add button under Optional Attachments, search and select the correct document then click Open. A pop up will display with your document as well as a drop down section to select your Attachment Type. Click the drop down and select the correct type. Select Save when complete. The document will then be uploaded to the lodgement.

Repeat this process for each additional document.

Post lodgement process

Once your application is lodged, the following steps will apply:

Your application will be reviewed to ensure all required information/documentation has been provided. You will be contacted if anything is missing
When all documentation has been received, the lodgement process will be complete
The application will then be assessed and the following timeframes apply:
Certified applications can take up to 10 business days from acceptance for a decision
Uncertified applications can take up to 25 business days from acceptance for a decision.

Please take the time to check that the application is complete. An incomplete application may be returned and the fees forfeited.

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