Local Pool Inspections · Non-Conformance Reports

Non-Conformance Reports (NCR)

If your pool does not meet Victorian safety standards, a Non-Conformance Report outlines exactly what needs to be fixed to achieve compliance. Many inspections start with a letter from the council — what a council pool barrier letter means explains the dates on it before you book.

Flat fee
$250 all-inclusive · no hidden costs
Turnaround
Same-day Form 23 once your barrier meets compliance
Inspector
Ryan Gaw · VBA-registered · Licence IN-PS 100055
0402 860 499 Book an Inspection
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Inspected by Ryan Gaw, VBA-registered Pool Safety InspectorLicence IN-PS 100055 · Building Inspector (Pool Safety), licensed by the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the VBA) · Verify on the VBA register →
In Short: A Non-Conformance Report is the document you receive when a pool barrier fails inspection. It lists every defect found, where it is, the fix required and its priority — so you know exactly what to repair before free re-inspections and your Form 23. It's a separate document from Form 24, which only applies in limited council-escalation cases — see below.

What is a Non-Conformance Report?

An NCR is a detailed document that identifies safety issues found during a pool safety inspection. It provides:

  • Specific defects identified
  • Location of each issue
  • Recommended remediation
  • Priority level (critical, major, minor)

Why Do You Need an NCR?

If your pool fails the inspection, an NCR is required to:

  • Know exactly what needs to be fixed
  • Understand the priority of repairs
  • Obtain your Form 23 certificate after repairs
  • Keep the barrier compliant next time round

Common Issues Found in Inspections

Fencing Issues

Timber barrel planter standing beside a glass pool gate on a paved side path
Example of a planter close to a glass barrier, which can be noted as a Non-Climbable Zone issue.
  • Gaps under fence (must be less than 100mm)
  • Damaged or missing fence palings
  • Non-compliant fence height (must be 1.2m minimum)
  • Climbable objects near fence

Gate Issues

Diagonal timber brace on the outside face of a grey pool gate
Example of a diagonal brace on the outside of a gate. A brace like this can act as a foothold.
  • Gate does not self-close properly
  • Latch does not engage correctly
  • Gate opens inward toward pool
  • Damaged hinges or latches

Windows and Doors

  • Windows that open more than 100mm
  • Doors without proper self-closing devices
  • Missing security screens

How to Fix Common Issues

Most of what turns up on an NCR is straightforward to put right — a latch adjusted, a gap closed, a climbable object moved. Our Victorian pool compliance checklist covers the same eight checks an inspector works through. Your report spells out what each defect needs.

Pencil sketch of two pool gates side by side, one swinging away from the water and one swinging inward, the inward swing crossed out.
A gate that opens inward toward the pool is one of the gate defects an inspection writes up.
Yellow measuring tape laid along the gap where a timber fence meets a glass pool barrier
Example of a gap at a timber and glass junction, checked with a measuring tape.

Once the repairs are done, book a re-inspection. We check that everything on the list has been sorted and issue your Form 23 that day if the barrier's compliant.

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Where Form 24 Actually Fits In

A Non-Conformance Report and a Form 24 are two different documents. Failing an inspection doesn't automatically produce a Form 24 (what actually happens after a failed inspection) — the vast majority of failed inspections are resolved the ordinary way: fix what's listed in your NCR, book the free re-inspections, and get your Form 23 once the barrier's compliant.

Form 24 is the Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Non-Compliance, a separate document lodged with council in more limited escalation circumstances. Where it does apply, a council lodgement fee attaches (capped by the statutory maximum under the Building Regulations 2018) and the process runs through council rather than being something we handle for you. If your situation looks like it might involve a Form 24 rather than the standard NCR-and-repair path, we'll tell you plainly when we hand you your report.

If you think something on your report is wrong, our guide to your options after a failed pool inspection covers talking it through with the inspector, Form 24 and the Building Appeals Board.

Need Help Understanding Your NCR?

Contact us for advice on completing the required repairs, or browse the pool safety FAQ for the questions owners ask most.

Contact Us

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pool fails?

You get a written non-conformance report listing each item to fix, and time to do the work. Once it’s done, we come back to re-inspect, and re-inspections are free. When the barrier passes, the Form 23 is issued. A Form 24 only comes into it for an immediate threat to life, or if the repairs never get done.

What is a Non-Conformance Report?
It's the official record of a failed pool barrier inspection. It itemises each defect, its location, the recommended remediation and a priority level (critical, major or minor) so you can plan the repairs. It's a separate document from a Form 24 — see the section above on when Form 24 actually applies.
What do I do after I get a non-conformance report?
Complete the repairs it lists (yourself or via a fencer), then book your free re-inspections. Once the barrier complies we issue your Form 23 that day — you then lodge it with council within 30 days.
Will you tell me how to fix the issues?
The report sets out the recommended remediation for each defect. We don't carry out repairs ourselves (to stay independent), but the report gives you or your fencer exactly what's required — gate and latch hardware is the most common category.
Can I get a conditional or temporary pool certificate?
No. There's no conditional or temporary pool certificate in Victoria. A barrier either passes and gets a Form 23, or it doesn't, and your pool inspection report is a non-conformance report listing what to fix. You get time to do the work, re-inspections are free, and the Form 23 is issued once the barrier passes.

Reviewed by Ryan Gaw, VBA Registered Pool Safety Inspector (IN-PS 100055) — principal inspector, Local Pool Inspections.

Book your $250 all-inclusive pool inspection

Same-day Form 23 where compliant, free re-inspections if you don't pass first time. Call 0402 860 499 or book online.

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