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

A pool or spa changes what a property sale needs. In Victoria, the barrier has to be compliant and a current Form 23 certificate has to exist — and the sale is the moment it gets checked. Whether you’re the vendor preparing a Section 32 or a buyer doing due diligence, the inspection is the same: an independent, VBA-registered check that the barrier meets the standard, with the Form 23 lodged on the council’s Pool and Spa Register.

Selling: the Form 23 belongs in your Section 32

A current pool barrier compliance certificate forms part of the vendor statement (Section 32) when you sell a property with a pool or spa. If your existing certificate has lapsed, or the barrier has drifted out of compliance since the last inspection, you’ll need a fresh Form 23 before settlement. We inspect, tell you plainly what (if anything) needs attention, and lodge the certificate so it’s ready for your conveyancer. Our Section 32 timeline guide walks through when to book.

Buying: know the barrier passes before you settle

If you’re buying a property with a pool, a pre-purchase inspection tells you whether the barrier actually complies — before the property is yours and the compliance obligation transfers to you. A non-compliant barrier you didn’t know about becomes your cost and your liability after settlement. We give you an independent assessment against the current standard so there are no surprises. See our pre-purchase due-diligence checklist.

What the inspection covers

The same full Form 23 barrier assessment we do for any inspection: fence height, the non-climbable zone, gate self-close and latch, fence gaps, and the surrounding structures — all checked against the Australian Standard that applies to your pool by its construction date. If it passes, we issue and lodge the Form 23. If it doesn’t, you get a Form 24 non-conformance report listing exactly what needs fixing, and the re-inspection after remediation is included in the $250 fee.

One flat fee — $250 inc GST

Pre-sale or pre-purchase, the inspection is a flat $250 all-inclusive, with the council lodgement and the re-inspection included. No call-out fees, no surprises. We cover Greater Geelong, the Bellarine, Moorabool and the Wyndham corridor.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Form 23 to sell a house with a pool in Victoria?

Yes. A current pool barrier compliance certificate forms part of the Section 32 vendor statement when you sell a property with a pool or spa. If yours has lapsed, book a fresh inspection before settlement.

Should I get a pool inspection before I buy?

It’s strongly recommended. A pre-purchase inspection confirms the barrier complies before the obligation transfers to you at settlement, so you’re not inheriting an unknown compliance cost.

How much does a pre-sale or pre-purchase pool inspection cost?

A flat $250 inc GST, all-inclusive — the inspection, council lodgement of the Form 23, and a free re-inspection if remediation is needed.