NSW Pool Fencing Regulations You Must Know in 2025

July 9, 2025

Australia has various pool fencing standards to ensure your swimming pool is enjoyable and risk-free. Learn more about them below, as well as the 2025 pool fencing rules and regulations for New South Wales.

What Is the Australian Standard for Fencing Swimming Pools?

The Australian Standard, AS1926.1-2012, is a code or guideline for securing swimming pools with a fence or barrier. It involves installing pool fences with a minimum height of 1.2 meters, limited openings, self-latching systems, and a non-climbable zone to prevent unsupervised access by children.

While the standard governs Australia, each State has unique regulations to uphold it. Understanding and complying with them is essential to prevent penalties.

5 Pool Fence Requirements in NSW

Here are essential NSW pool fencing rules and regulations, including measurements, conditions and safety strategies to ensure your pool is compliant and child-safe.

1. Accurate Measurements

Here are some pool fencing measurements to follow.

Fence height: Your pool fence must be a minimum of 12 mm high.
Bottom gap: The space or gap beneath your fence and ground should not be more than 10 cm.
Horizontal bars: If your fencing has horizontal climbable bars, they must be 90cm apart.
Mesh barriers: 1.8 meters high perforated or mesh barriers with holes or gaps larger than 13mm must not exceed 100mm.
Boundary fence: If you have a boundary or exterior wall around your pool fence, it must be 1.8 m high.

2. Closing and Latching Systems

Your swimming pool gates must close securely and have automatic latching. Here are some more details:

Pool gates must close automatically after entering and exiting your pool area to prevent it from staying propped or open.
Gates must close from any position without manually or forcibly shutting it.
Swimming pool gates must swing outwards or away from the pool area to prevent them from opening when pushed on.
Gates must have secure self-latching and locking systems to ensure automatic locking when it closes.

3. Non-Climable Zone

You must have a non-climbable zone or space around the pool to prevent children from climbing over the fence into the pool area. This zone is measured in an arc shape, starting from the top of your pool fence and arching towards the ground. Here are more details:

Objects like trees, shrubs, toys, ladders, pot plants, chairs and barbeques must not be within 90cm of the climbing zone.
The zone includes 30cm of space inside the pool area. This area must also be free from footholds or handholds that could be used to climb over the fence.
If your fence has horizontal climbable bars, they must be at least 90cm apart.
If your pool does not have a non-climbable zone with these specifications, you must have a licensed contractor or builder reconstruct it to the required safety standards.

4. Child-Resistant Doors and Windows

The Australian pool fencing standard no longer allows doors and windows in pool fences or barriers — you must have a fence or barrier on your property separating your swimming pool from your house.

Swimming pools built before 1990 may be exempt and have doors and windows as part of the barrier. These must also comply with various safety measures.

Doors in barriers:

Here are some safety requirements for doors that form part of the barrier:

Doors must automatically close or shut after use without manual force.
It must be self-latching.
It must have a manual release and cannot open automatically.
The door must open or swing outward.
The latching device must be 150 cm or more above ground.
Barriers with doors must not have a pet flap.
It must have a non-climbable zone of 90cm or more and 120cm above the ground or floor.

Windows in barriers:

Safety requirements for windows that form part of the barrier:

Your windows must have a fixed security screen or locking device preventing your windows from opening more than 10cm.
If your windows do not have these safety specifications, you must install the required devices to reduce the opening or gap to 10cm or less.

5. Signage

Your fencing must have clear caution signage to warn or highlight potential hazards. It must also have a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign for emergencies. The sign should be prominent and easily read from 3 meters away.

Indoor Pool Fence Regulations

Homeowners with indoor pools must comply with NSW fencing standards. They must also follow additional requirements to prevent children from accessing the area without adult supervision:

Separate entertainment, gym and other home areas from the pool with child-resistant gates and doors.
Close doors to the pool area at all times.
Install child-resistant windows with fixed security mesh on doors and barriers to the pool.
Doors must be side-hung and form part of the indoor barrier.
Child-resistant doors must be self-closing and latching.
Doors must open or swing outwards from the pool area
The doorknob and latches must be on the door exterior and at least 1500 meters above the floor.
Doors must not have pet flaps.
Your doors must have manually operated releases or latches to allow for opening in power failures.
Doors must be a minimum of 1 meter wide.
Glass inserts are recommended to see into the pool area before opening the door.
You must have a non-climbable zone 900mm outside the door and 100mm above the floor.

What are the Fencing Requirements for Spa Pools?

Spa pools must have a child-resistant barrier or a fitted and lockable lid. This barrier must be locked when the spa is not in use. Spa pools used for swimming or plunge pool spas cannot use lock lids and must comply with NSW pool fencing regulations.

Pool Fence and Gate Maintenance Requirements

Your pool fence must be in excellent working condition and free from holes, dents, and other damage. Improperly maintained or non-functional pool fencing can lead to various safety hazards and penalties. Here are some maintenance requirements to ensure your pool is functional and safe:

Ensure your fence hardware, including bolts, fasteners, and screws, is secure and in excellent working condition.
Tighten or replace loose bolts, screws and other hardware.
Regularly oil, spray or lubricate self-closing gate hinges and latches to ensure they work effectively.
Inspect gate hinges frequently and remove built-up dirt and debris.
Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for spraying or oiling hinges.
Replace damaged or illegible warning signs.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about pool fences in New South Wales.

What is the fine for not fencing your pool in NSW? You can pay fines between $500 and $5500.
Can you have a barbecue in your pool area? You can have a barbecue 90cm outside the non-climbable pool zone.
Do portable pools require fencing? Fencing or barrier standards apply to portable pools, including demountable, portable and baby pools that can be filled over 300mm deep.
Do pools with backyard fencing require additional barriers? Pools in fenced backyards require fencing or barriers around the pool to comply with safety standards.

Need To Upgrade Your Pool Fence?

Non-compliant pool fencing can lead to costly penalties. Updating your fencing to meet relevant safety standards is essential to avoid them. If you need an experienced and trusted pool fencing company in New South Wales, we can help.

Sydney Frameless Glass is a leading pool fence provider specialising in glass and frameless fencing. We design, manufacture, and install quality and compliant pool fencing. Our team of experts understands the safety requirements for swimming pools and ensures your fence is up to standard.