Building a Swimming Pool and Spa
Regulations for Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Barriers
Under the Building Regulations 2012 (WA), all private swimming pools and spas that contain water more than 300mm deep must have a compliant barrier or fence installed to restrict young children from accessing the area.
Owners and occupiers are responsible for ensuring any barrier or fence is maintained and operating effectively. If you do not comply with the regulations, you are risking the lives of young children and may face substantial fines.
There may be an infringement penalty for non-compliant enclosures of private swimming pools and spas in accordance with the Building Regulations 2012.
For detailed information on the requirements please refer to our Swimming Pools page.
Lodging a Building Application for a Swimming Pool and Spa
A Building Application may be submitted to the local authority (the City of Busselton) as ‘Certified’ or ‘Uncertified’ Application.
Certified Building Application - BA1 form
- A Certified Building Application is submitted to the permit authority accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC)
- May be for any class of building and incidental structure,
- Applications for Class 1b and Class 2 to 9 buildings must be made as Certified Applications
- Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures may be Certified or Uncertified.
- Applicants wishing to submit a Certified Application are required to engage a Registered Building Surveyor to check the proposal and provide a Certificate of Design Compliance to submit to the permit authority.
- The permit authority has 10 business days to decide on a Certified Application. These timelines may sometimes be extended in consultation with the applicant.
To assist lodgement of a Certified Building Application, please refer links below:
BA1 - Certified Building Application Form
Swimming Pool Checklist
Rules for Pools and Spas (LGIRS)
Swimming pool and spa safety barrier requirements
Uncertified Building Application - BA2 form
- Submitted to the permit authority without a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC)
- Only applies to Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures.
- A building surveyor is appointed by the permit authority to check the proposal and provide a Certificate of Design Compliance. A building permit will be issued.
To assist lodgement of an Uncertified Building Application, please refer links below:
BA2 - Uncertified Building Application Form
Swimming Pool Checklist
Rules for Pools and Spas (LGIRS)
Swimming pool and spa safety barrier requirements
Lodging Applications
The City accepts building applications in hardcopy or electronic format via the following:
A Request for Payment will be issued upon receipt of application. Application fees can be calculated using the Building fees tab: Online Building Fee Calculator
If your project has a construction value of more than $20,000, you will need to pay the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Levy. The rate of the levy is 0.2% of the total value of construction (inclusive of GST). Once paid an invoice will be required to be submitted with the application.
Under the Building Act 2011, the person listed as the builder on the Building Permit must notify the City within 7 days of the pool and barrier being completed. This is done by submitting a BA7 Notice of Completion form, AND a Request for Inspection form.
Forms must be returned via one of the following:
Email – city@busselton.wa.gov.au
In person – 2 Southern Drive, Busselton WA 6280