The Form 23 is a legal certificate, so the law limits who can sign it. If the person who inspects your pool isn’t registered in the right class, the certificate isn’t valid and council can reject it, which means paying for a second inspection.
The four types of practitioner who can certify a barrier
- Registered building surveyor (unlimited or limited)
- Registered building inspector (unlimited or limited)
- Registered building inspector (pool safety): a class created in the 2019-2020 reforms specifically for pool and spa barriers
- Municipal building surveyor: the council’s own surveyor
All four can inspect the barrier, issue a certificate of barrier compliance (Form 23), issue a certificate of non-compliance (Form 24), and lodge a Form 24 with council. They’re all registered by the Building and Plumbing Commission, which took over from the VBA.
How to check an inspector’s registration
Ask for the registration number, then look it up on the BPC’s public practitioner search. The record should show the person’s name, the class (for example “Building Inspector (pool safety)”), and that the registration is current with no conditions that stop pool work. Our inspector, Ryan Gaw, is registered under licence IN-PS 100055. You can check it the same way. We’ve written a short guide to checking a registered pool inspector as well. If you can’t find someone on the register, or they won’t give you a number, book someone else.
Who can’t issue a Form 23
Pool builders, fencing and glass contractors, pool shops, handymen and real estate agents can’t issue the certificate unless they also hold one of the registrations above. Some fencing companies “arrange” inspections. That’s fine if the inspector they send is registered and independent, but ask who will sign the certificate. It’s sensible to use an inspector who had no part in designing or building the barrier.
How someone becomes a pool safety inspector
To register as a building inspector (pool safety), a person needs at least six months of relevant practical experience and an approved course in swimming pool and spa barrier inspection, and has to meet the BPC’s other registration requirements. The approved course list changes, so anyone planning to study should check the BPC’s current list before enrolling.
Why it matters for buyers and sellers
When a property with a pool changes hands, the conveyancer or buyer may ask for the latest Form 23. A certificate from an unregistered person is worth nothing at settlement. If you’re buying a house with a pool, check the certificate’s issuer on the register as well as the date. For the inspection itself, our guide to what a pool inspector checks walks through the visit.
Questions to ask before you book
Start with the registration number and class. Then ask whether the price includes the re-inspection if something fails, because some inspectors charge a second call-out. Ask how the certificate is delivered. A Form 23 has to reach council within 30 days of the date on it, so a certificate that turns up a fortnight later leaves you little time. Finally, ask whether they lodge it or you do. Most councils take lodgement from the owner, and with us you lodge it yourself through council’s portal or form.
If the inspector finds a defect, they must give you a written notice listing what to fix and a date for the re-inspection, up to 60 days out. Where a barrier can’t be made safe in that time, or a gate won’t close or can be opened by a small child, the inspector has to issue a Form 24 straight away and lodge it with council. That’s the same for every registered inspector, council or private.
Related reading: Why VBA Registration Matters When Choosing a Pool Inspector.
Also related: Pool CPR Signs in Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pool fencer issue a Form 23?
Not unless they're also registered as a building surveyor, building inspector or building inspector (pool safety). Ask who will sign the certificate and check their registration.
How do I check if a pool inspector is registered in Victoria?
Search their name or registration number on the Building and Plumbing Commission's public practitioner register. It should show a current registration in an eligible class.
Can council inspect my pool?
Yes. A municipal building surveyor can carry out the inspection, and some councils offer it as a paid service. You can also choose any registered private inspector.
What course do you need to become a pool inspector in Victoria?
A BPC-approved Course in Swimming Pool and Spa Barrier Inspection, plus at least six months of practical experience, typically 25 or more supervised inspections. Check the BPC's current list of approved providers.
Is a certificate from an unregistered inspector valid?
No. Only an eligible registered practitioner can issue a valid certificate of barrier compliance.