Pool safety tips for a Gold Coast summer

The five pool safety tips that matter most this summer are simple. Check your fence height. Clear the climbable zone. Keep the gate self-closing. Stay close when kids swim. Then have a licensed inspector confirm it all. Each one takes minutes, and together they make your pool ready for a summer of swimming.

Rob spent 20 years building pool fences before he became a QBCC licensed pool safety inspector. These are the checks he would make at his own pool.

1. Is my pool fence still high enough?

Your pool fence must be at least 1200mm high, measured from the finished ground outside it. Ground levels shift over time, especially after new landscaping or garden beds. Measure at a few points along the fence. Check the gap under the fence too. It must be no more than 100mm.

2. What counts as a climbing risk near a pool fence?

Anything a child could stand on or grip within the 900mm non-climbable zone. Outdoor furniture, toys, pot plants, eskies and garden edges are common culprits. Move them well clear of the fence. Trim back tree branches that hang over the barrier, including those from a neighbour’s yard. See our list of non-climbable plants for your pool area.

3. How do I keep my pool gate working properly?

Open the gate and let it go from different positions. It should swing shut and latch on the first try, every time. Oil the hinges and latch so they move freely. The gate must open away from the pool. If it sticks or bounces open, fix it before summer.

4. What else keeps a pool safe in summer?

• Keep a current CPR sign where it is visible from the pool area. Here is how to keep your CPR sign compliant.
• Clear hoses, toys and leaves from around the pool to prevent trips.
• Store pool chemicals where children can’t reach them.
• Clean glass fencing and keep towels off it, so you can see into the pool area.
• Consider CPR and first aid training for the adults in your home.

A certificate can never replace supervising your children around the pool. When children under 5 are in the water, stay within arm’s reach.

5. Why book a professional pool safety inspection?

A licensed inspector checks what you can’t easily measure. Rob checks your fence, gates, windows, doors and CPR sign against 100+ safety points in the QLD pool safety laws. If your pool is compliant, your pool safety certificate is delivered the same day. We register your pool with the QBCC at no extra cost.

What happens if my pool needs work?

You get a Form 26 non-conformity notice and a clear report with photos. The re-inspection must happen within 3 months, and it costs from $79 + GST. Rob can often fix small faults himself, like a sagging hinge or a loose latch. Bigger work is quoted upfront, so there are no surprises.

How much does a pool safety inspection cost?

A pool safety inspection is from $100 + GST per pool. The QBCC certificate fee (Form 23) is $47.30, with no GST. Want a check first? A pool safety consultation is also from $100 + GST. See the full pool inspection prices.

Get your pool summer-ready with Rob

Swim all summer knowing your pool is compliant. Call Rob on 0457 445 197 or book your pool safety inspection online. He is usually able to inspect within 24 hours of your call.