What has changed
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has updated its Guideline for Pool Safety Inspectors. The updated guideline removes previous references to advisory and consulting services that suggested a licensed Pool Safety Inspector (PSI) could inspect a pool barrier without triggering a statutory outcome.
The core rule
Under the Building Act 1975, physically inspecting a regulated pool barrier constitutes a pool safety inspection. This applies regardless of what the visit is called. Activities that constitute an inspection include measuring the barrier, testing gates, checking non-climbable zones, or forming a view on compliance.
Once a statutory inspection has occurred, sections 246AA and 246AB of the Building Act 1975 require the PSI to issue either a pool safety certificate or a nonconformity notice. Labelling the visit a consultation, advisory visit, or informal check does not remove this obligation.
What does not trigger a statutory inspection
A PSI may attend a property and give general advice on proposed fencing, landscaping, future designs, or likely compliance issues for planned works, as long as the PSI does not inspect the existing regulated pool barrier or form a view on its current compliance.
Key actions
- Licensed PSIs are required to review the updated Guideline for Pool Safety Inspectors on the QBCC website at qbcc.qld.gov.au to confirm they understand the boundaries between general advice and a statutory inspection.
- Any visit where a PSI assesses a pool barrier, takes measurements, tests gates, or forms a compliance view requires the PSI to issue a pool safety certificate or nonconformity notice.
- Describing such a visit as a consultation or advisory visit does not satisfy the statutory obligations under the Building Act 1975.
Timing
The updated guidance is effective from 2026-08-11.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.