Pools and spas

Installing a pool or spa adds excitement to your home but comes with significant safety responsibilities. Ensure you are aware of the laws when installing or maintaining your swimming pool or spa.

Know your responsibility

Safety around swimming pools and spas is an important issue for your family and visitors to your home. Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death of children aged 0–5 years. Over the past five years, 16 toddlers have drowned in Western Australia. For every drowning death, it is estimated that 10 children are admitted to hospital following a near-drowning incident (160 children over the past five years).

Pool owners are required by law to maintain the safety of their pool area and must ensure that children are properly supervised.

Here's what's important to know:

• Setting up a pool or spa (including inflatables): All pools and spas with water deeper than 300mm, require a building permit to ensure they meet safety and construction standards.
• Compliant safety barriers: A must-have around every pool and spa to safeguard against accidental drownings.
• Ongoing inspections: The City of Joondalup ensures that your pool, spa, and safety barriers comply with regulations through regular inspections.
• Removing or in-filling a pool: Specific procedures are in place for safely removing or in-filling your pool.

Detailed requirements are provided below. 

Installing a new swimming pool or spa

When planning the installation of a new swimming pool or spa, it is essential to adhere to the following procedural steps to ensure compliance with safety regulations and local government requirements:

1. Apply for a Building Permit: Submit your application to the City of Joondalup along with detailed plans of your pool or spa including the safety barrier location. Refer to Appling for a Building Permit below.
2. Install a compliant safety barrier: Ensure your safety barrier complies with safety standards. The safety barrier must be installed before filling the pool or spa with water. Find out about safety barrier requirements above.
3. Schedule an Inspection: Once construction is complete, contact the City to arrange an inspection of your pool/spa and safety barrier to ensure everything is compliant.

Please note: Some fences require approval from the local government prior to installation. Refer to the Department of Energy Mines Industry Regulation and Safety bulletin.

Applying for a Building Permit

You have two options when applying for a Building Permit:

• Certified application: Lodge a BA1 form, accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3 form) signed by a registered building surveyor, confirming compliance with building standards.
• Uncertified application: Lodge a BA2 form, accompanied with the Uncertified building application checklist - swimming pool and or barrier (see below). The City will internally arrange approval of building standards.

You can download BA1 and BA2 forms from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website. 

Unwanted pools and spas

When owners no longer wish to keep their pool or spa, it’s important to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. There are two options available:

1. Empty the pool or spa: In this case the pool or spa is to be drained so it does not hold more than 300mm of water at any time. A pool or spa remains on the City’s records and will incur regulatory inspections, should the owner wish to refill their pool or spa, the City must be notified and a pool/spa security inspection carried out prior to any water being added.
2. Removing the pool or spa: In this case the pool or spa has been emptied and the shell permanently destroyed to the point that it can no longer hold water. Prior to removal, it is recommended owners consult with a Structural Engineer or seek professional advice on the process of removing/disabling the pool shell to ensure nearby structures are not adversely affected. Once notification of the removal hos been confirmed, the City's records will be updated and no further regulatory payments or inspections will occur.

More information and contact

For more information on swimming pools and spas, contact the City on 9400 4000 or via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au. You can also visit the City’s Customer Care desk during office hours Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5pm.