Pool Safety & Compliance Guide

Fence Height: The 1200mm Rule

The pool barrier must be at least 1200mm high, measured on the outside face at the worst point of the ground — meaning the lowest, most climbable point sets the standard for the whole fence.

That 1200mm minimum applies around the entire pool area, not just the sections facing the house. Sloping ground, garden beds, or retaining walls next to the fence line can all reduce the effective height at their lowest point, which is why installers measure from the ground level immediately outside the barrier, not from a single reference point.

The 900mm Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ)

A 900mm non-climbable zone must be kept clear around the outside of the barrier — no footholds, furniture, or fixed objects that a child could use to climb over.

The NCZ is measured outward and downward from the top of the barrier in a 900mm arc. Anything within that zone — a pot plant, a pool pump, a low wall, even a sloped garden bed — can effectively lower the climbable height of the fence and take it out of compliance, even if the fence itself is a compliant 1200mm.

Gate Latching Standards

Pool gates must swing outward, away from the pool, and close and latch themselves automatically — a child should never be able to prop a gate open or push their way in.

• Outward swing only. Gates are hung so they can only open away from the pool area, never toward it.
• Self-closing. A self-closing device must return the gate to a fully closed position from any open position, without anyone touching it.
• Self-latching. The latch engages automatically as the gate closes, and can't be reopened without deliberately releasing it.
• Release height. The latch release is generally set high enough, or shielded, that a young child can't reach or operate it from outside the pool area.

Resuscitation / CPR Signage

Most jurisdictions require a resuscitation (CPR) sign displayed prominently near the pool, showing the steps for reviving someone who's been pulled from the water.

The sign is usually required to be durable, clearly legible, and mounted where it can be seen from the pool area — not tucked away in a shed or garage. Exact wording, size, and placement rules can differ by state, so check your local council's requirements when you install your fence.