This is the recording from a live webinar broadcast in October 2021. It covers topics such as:
Annual fees for existing and new plans.
Approve a new pool safety management plan has not previously been approved for a class 3 pool.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard fee | $2,366.98 |
| Additional fee per pool —if plan is for more than 1 swimming pool | $132.71 |
| Additional fee— if a site inspection is required | $1,330.51 |
Approve a new pool safety management plan that has previously been approved for a class 3 pool.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard fee— if pool safety measures are substantially the same as the previously approved plan | $473.98 |
| Standard fee— if pool safety measures are changed from original plan | $2,366.98 |
| Additional fee—if a site inspection is required | $1,330.51 |
Summer is just around the corner and Queenslanders are reminded not to become complacent with pool safety.
This warning comes from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) in an effort to educate people on their safety responsibilities when it comes to pools.
QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy said drowning was a silent killer and immersions often occurred when people were nearby but weren’t properly supervising young children.
“There is a myth adults will hear a child who falls in a pool and have time to react but unfortunately this is not always the case,” he said.
“New surroundings bring the risk of unfamiliarity or lack of awareness for young children, and adults need to keep this in mind, especially for children who don’t usually spend much time in pools.”
Mr Cassidy reminded people that while a swimming pool could be a great addition to their home, people needed to follow the State Government’s safety standards when it came to building and maintaining pools, to keep children safe.
A swimming pool is defined as an above or below ground structure principally used for swimming or bathing and also includes some models of portable pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 30cm of water.
The number of pool immersions reported to the QBCC in 2020/21 was 89, compared to 83 in 2019/20 and 99 in 2018/19.
Mr Cassidy said swimming pool safety laws and compliant pool barriers aimed to minimise the chances of children being in pools unsupervised.
“Pool owners also need to be aware that anyone who props open a pool gate is liable for an on-the-spot fine,” he said.
“That’s a dangerous and potentially tragic practice.
“Owners must ensure their pools are compliant and remind people to always supervise children when they are in the pool.”
More information on pool safety compliance is on the QBCC website and people can also search the pool register to find out if a pool at a particular address meets safety requirements.
The QBCC licenses pool safety inspectors to perform the pool safety inspection functions set out in the Building Act 1975 for regulated pools.
A pool safety inspector (PSI) can:
Pool safety inspectors cannot legally perform works valued at more than $3,300 without an appropriate licence and contract.
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
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:
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
The purpose of the code is to:
In undertaking pool safety inspection functions and related functions, an inspector must always:
Download and read:
Code of conduct for pool safety inspectors (PDF, 924KB)
Potential conflicts of interest for pool safety inspectors may include:
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.
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.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Identification number for a pool safety certificate | $44.26 |
There is no fee to do a digital search of the pools register.
There is a fee to extract a paper copy of information held in the regulated pools register.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st the first page | $6.75 |
| Each additional page | $2.85 |
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.
