A pool is one of those home investments that pays off every single summer. When you first have one installed, your mind goes straight to the enjoyment of it – lazy afternoons, kids and friends splashing around, and relaxed evenings with family. That is completely natural. But alongside all of that, it is also your responsibility to make sure your pool area is properly fenced, compliant with NSW requirements, and safe for the children around it.
Drowning in swimming pools remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in children under the age of five in NSW. A compliant pool fence is your most reliable barrier against that risk. It is also a legal requirement under the NSW Swimming Pools Act 1992, and failing to meet it can result in fines and complications when selling or renting your property.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the key pool fence safety laws that apply in NSW, what they mean for your property, and how Boresi Fencing can help you achieve a compliant, beautifully installed fence you can feel confident about.
Important Pool Safety Rules You Must Know
The rules governing pool fencing in NSW come from the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the relevant Australian Standards. Depending on when your pool was built, a different version of the standard may apply, but the core requirements around barrier height, gate operation, and maintenance are consistent. Here is what every pool owner needs to be across.
- Fence Height: Your pool fence must be at least 1.2 metres high, measured from the finished ground level. If a boundary fence forms part of your pool barrier, that section must be at least 1.8 metres high.
- Gap Requirements: There must be no gap greater than 10 centimetres at the base of the fence. Vertical bars must be spaced no more than 10 centimetres apart, and any mesh or perforated sections must have openings no larger than 13mm.
- Non-Climbable Zone: The law requires a 90-centimetre non-climbable zone measured in an arc from the top of the fence. Objects such as pot plants, outdoor furniture, barbecues, and children’s toys must all be kept out of this zone. Horizontal bars on the fence itself must also be spaced at least 90 centimetres apart.
- Gate Compliance: Pool gates must open outwards, away from the pool area. They must be self-closing from any open position and self-latching when they shut. A gate that requires someone to manually close or latch it does not meet the standard, and it must never be propped open.
- Pool Registration: Every pool in NSW must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register. This applies to permanent pools, spa pools, and portable pools capable of holding water to a depth of more than 30 centimetres.
- CPR Signage: A current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign must be displayed in the pool area at all times. The sign must be in good condition and legible from at least three metres away.
- Compliance Certificate: When selling or leasing a property with a pool, you will usually need a valid certificate of compliance, a relevant occupation certificate, or the required pool safety documentation. The certificate is valid for three years and is issued by your local council or a registered swimming pool inspector.
- Which Standard Applies to Your Pool: Different pool safety standards may apply depending on when your pool was built and whether the barrier has been changed over time. If you have an older pool, or if you have renovated, landscaped, replaced fencing, or made changes near the pool area, it is best to have the barrier checked by your local council or a registered swimming pool inspector.
How Boresi Fencing Can Help
If you are searching for fencing companies near me and want a team that understands both the compliance side and the craftsmanship side of the job, Boresi Fencing has been doing exactly this since 1986. The business is family-owned and operated, and every fence is designed, fabricated, and installed by the in-house team from the Minchinbury facility in Western Sydney. Here is what working with Boresi looks like:
- In-House Manufacturing: Boresi designs and builds every fence in-house, at our Minchinbury facility. There is no outsourcing, which means tighter quality control and faster turnaround compared to companies that source elsewhere.
- Compliance Guidance: We guide you on compliance-focused fencing design and installation, so you are not left trying to decode the requirements on your own. Whether your fence is old or newly installed, our local fencing specialists can help you install a safer and compliance-focused pool fence.
- Glass and Tubular Options: Pool safety fencing at Boresi comes in both frameless glass and tubular aluminium. The glass pool fencing Sydney homeowners choose is manufactured from toughened safety glass and fitted with marine-grade hardware built for Australian conditions.
- Single Point of Contact: From the initial measure and design through to fabrication and installation, our team manages the whole job. You know who to call, and you do not get passed between departments or contractors.
- Decades of Local Experience: Our fencing experts have worked across Sydney and surrounds for nearly four decades. They understand council requirements, site conditions, and the sort of modern pool fencing that holds up long-term in NSW’s climate.
Ready to Get Your Pool Fence Sorted?
Boresi Fencing has been serving homeowners across Sydney, North Sydney, Western Sydney, and Wollondilly Shire for nearly four decades. Whether you need a new pool fence or want to bring an existing one up to the current pool fence regulations NSW requires, the team offers a free measure and quote with no obligation. Contact us today to get started.
FAQs About Glass Pool Fencing
Yes, and it does so very well. Glass pool fencing meets the requirements of AS 1926.1-2012, and frameless systems are inherently non-climbable when installed correctly. The panels are manufactured from toughened safety glass, there are no horizontal bars to worry about, and beyond compliance, the open feel suits contemporary homes well.
The key is professional installation. Glass panels need to be set at the correct height, spaced properly, and fitted with compliant hardware including self-closing, self-latching gates. When that is done right, a frameless glass fence is one of the cleanest and most compliant options available.
Both work well, and both meet NSW safety requirements. Glass pool fence gives you clear sightlines and a modern finish that suits contemporary homes. Tubular is usually more budget-friendly, handles regular use well, and comes in a range of styles. In the end, your choice usually depends on your layout, your budget, and whether you want an open view of the pool area.
