Reviewed by Ryan Gaw, VBA-registered pool safety inspector (IN-PS 100055), Local Pool Inspections.

The cheapest pool barrier is the one you get right the first time. Most compliance failures we see aren’t bad luck — they’re decisions made early, before anyone checked the standard against the actual block: a fence line set too close to a retaining wall, a gate that opens the wrong way, landscaping or a pool pump placed where it later becomes a foothold. A compliance consultation puts an experienced inspector’s eye on those decisions while they’re still easy to change.

Who a consultation helps

• Planning a new pool or spa — get the barrier right on paper before the fencer starts, so your site is set up to comply from day one.
• Reworking your yard — new landscaping, a deck, a retaining wall or a paving change near an existing pool can quietly push the barrier out of compliance. We’ll tell you what to watch.
• Not sure what your site needs — sloped blocks, boundary fences, coastal salt-air exposure and tight spaces all change what the standard requires. A consultation translates the rules into your situation.

What we look at

We work through the things that actually decide compliance on your block: where the barrier can sit, the fence height for your ground levels, how the non-climbable zone falls on the outside of the barrier, gate placement and swing, and the surrounding structures — walls, decks, planting and equipment — that have to stay clear. The goal is a plan that meets the Australian Standard for your site, not a generic checklist.

Advice, not a sales pitch

A consultation is independent guidance. We don’t sell or install fencing, so the advice is about what your site needs and how to get there cost-effectively — including the lower-cost ways to meet the standard that a homeowner often doesn’t know are options. When the barrier is built and ready, the same registered inspector can carry out your Form 23 inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Can you advise me before I build the pool?

Yes. That’s the best time to get advice — deciding where the barrier, gate and landscaping go before the work happens is far cheaper than changing it afterwards. We’ll help you plan a compliant barrier for your specific site.

Do you install the fence?

No. We’re independent pool safety inspectors, not fencers — so our advice is about what your site needs to comply, not about selling you a product. When the barrier is ready, we can do the Form 23 inspection.

Why does compliance depend on my specific site?

Ground levels, boundary fences, retaining walls, landscaping and the space you have all change how the standard applies. Two pools can need quite different barrier setups, which is why a site-specific consultation is worth it.