Role and responsibilities of a pool safety inspector

Responsibilities of a PSI

A pool safety inspector (PSI) can:

• inspect a pool and issue a pool safety certificate or non-conformity notice (PDF 116.68KB)
• do minor repairs, e.g. adjusting or replacing a latch or hinges and removing climbable objects 
• erect, repair, replace or adjust a maximum of 5 metres and no more than 6 posts of a pool safety barrier. 

Pool safety inspectors cannot legally perform works valued at more than $3,300 without an appropriate licence and contract.

Issuing a pool safety certificate 

A pool safety inspector must issue a Form 23—pool safety certificate through the swimming pool register on myQBCC on behalf of their client. Learn how to do this  using our help guide:

myQBCC user guide for PSIs—pool register

Issuing a non-conformity notice

If a pool safety inspector determines a pool is non-compliant, they must issue a Form 26—swimming pool non-conformity notice (PDF 116.68KB) , unless either:

• the inspector reinspects the pool within 2 days of the initial inspection and is satisfied the pool now complies
• the owner and pool safety inspector agree that the inspector will carry out minor repairs within 20 business days of the original inspection.

Code of conduct for PSIs

As a pool safety inspector, you have a responsibility to adhere to the Code of conduct for pool safety inspectors (PDF, 924KB) at all times

Purpose of the code

The purpose of the code is to:

• set standards of conduct and professionalism expected from swimming pool safety inspectors in the performance of pool safety inspection functions
• inform the community of the standards of conduct and professionalism expected from inspectors
• provide consumer, regulatory, judicial, employment and professional bodies with a basis for making decisions regarding standards of conduct and professionalism expected from inspectors.

Standards of conduct and professionalism

In undertaking pool safety inspection functions and related functions, an inspector must always:

• perform pool safety inspection functions in the public interest
• maintain satisfactory levels of competence
• comply with legislative requirements
• not perform pool safety inspection functions where there is potential for a conflict of interest, except for carrying out minor repairs prescribed under regulation
• not perform pool safety inspection functions beyond their level of competence or outside their area of expertise
• maintain confidentiality
• abide by professional, moral and ethical standards expected by the community
• take all reasonable steps to obtain all relevant facts
• clearly document reasons for decisions.

Download and read:

Code of conduct for pool safety inspectors (PDF, 924KB)

Conflict of interest

Potential conflicts of interest for pool safety inspectors may include:

• inspecting a pool owned by you
• inspecting a pool owned by somebody with whom you have a personal, professional, commercial or financial relationship
• inspecting a fence you have personally worked on unless the work was prescribed minor repairs
• recommending fencing contractors or inspecting fencing work performed by a business in which you have an interest. It is acceptable to recommend the services of a contractor with whom you don’t have a personal, professional, commercial or financial relationship
• owning, operating or being employed by a business in the swimming pool industry, such as a pool shop or pool maintenance business where your pool inspection functions are not separated from your other business functions.

There is also a potential conflict of interest when a real estate agent or agency employee inspects a barrier for an owner who receives other services from the agency.
 

Continuing professional development

As part of your role, you must continue to update your knowledge of pool safety legislation, regulations, practices and standards.

We measure your activity using a point system and we approve and allocate points for CPD activities such as training courses, workshops and seminars. See our list of approved CPD activities for PSIs.

You must provide evidence that you have accumulated CPD points from the previous year when you renew or restore your licence.

Educational videos for pool safety inspectors

When you’re a pool safety inspector, there are responsibilities that come with the job. 

To avoid making some of the inspection errors that are reported to the QBCC, we have created a series of short, educational videos to help you prepare for any pool inspection.

View on YouTube