Eastern Suburbs pools tend to sit on small blocks, close to the house, boundary walls and neighbours' windows. That makes the barrier harder to get right: boundary walls form part of the fence, terraces and planters sit near it, and doors from the house often open towards the pool area.
Waverley Council counts about 1,800 pools in its area and Randwick more than 3,500, according to their own inspection programs. Spas on decks and rooftops are common too, and the barrier rules apply to them.
What each council charges
Council inspection fees are set under the Swimming Pools Regulation 2018, so a council is usually the cheapest way to get a certificate. Private certifiers charge more and set their own booking times. These are the figures each council publishes, with the date of the page they come from.
Waverley Council
Fee: Initial inspection $150. Re-inspection $100.
Tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-residential premises with more than two dwellings are inspected every 3 years. Requested inspections are done within 10 business days.
Source: Waverley Council inspection request form (updated 30 June 2026)
Woollahra Municipal Council
Fee: $150 for the first inspection and $100 for a second inspection. The council says no fee can currently be charged for a third or later inspection, and that there's no GST on the fee.
Premises with more than two dwellings and no current certificate are inspected at least every 3 years. The council may also pick properties at random from the Register.
Source: Woollahra Municipal Council pool barrier inspection program page (undated)
Randwick City Council
Fee: A $250 application fee covers the initial inspection and any necessary re-inspections.
Tourist and visitor accommodation and properties with more than two dwellings, including residential flat buildings and dual occupancies, are inspected every 3 years.
Source: Randwick City Council swimming pool certificates page (updated 25 October 2022)
Compare these with the prices private certifiers publish in the pool inspection cost guide.
Spas, small blocks and boundary walls
A spa can sometimes use a lockable, child-resistant lid instead of a fence, depending on its size and use. Swim spas may need a full barrier. See spa and inflatable pool rules.
On a small block, look for anything near the fence a child could climb: planter boxes, air-conditioning units, hose reels and steps. The 900 mm clear zone outside the fence applies even where space is tight.
If you live in a strata building with more than two lots, the sale and lease certificate rules don't apply to your lot. The owners corporation is responsible for a pool on common property.
Suburbs covered in the Eastern Suburbs
Requests are taken from these suburbs and the streets around them. Include yours in the form.
- Paddington
- Woollahra
- Double Bay
- Bellevue Hill
- Rose Bay
- Vaucluse
- Dover Heights
- Bondi
- Bondi Junction
- Bronte
- Clovelly
- Coogee
- Randwick
- Kensington
- Maroubra
What to send with your request
- The suburb, and whether you're selling, leasing, answering a council notice or just checking.
- The settlement, lease or council date you need to meet.
- The pool type (in-ground, above-ground, spa) and the fence type (glass, aluminium, timber or a boundary fence).
- Any earlier inspection report, so the certifier can re-check the listed items.
Common questions
Which Eastern Suburbs council is cheapest for a pool inspection?
Waverley and Woollahra publish $150 for the first inspection and $100 for a re-inspection. Randwick charges a single $250 fee that covers the inspection and any necessary re-inspections.
Does my spa need a fence?
Not always. A spa may be able to use a securely fastened, child-resistant lid, grille or mesh, depending on its size or function. A certifier will tell you whether yours qualifies.
Do I need a certificate to lease my apartment if the building has a pool?
Not if it's a lot in a strata scheme with more than 2 lots. The owners corporation looks after the common pool, which the council inspects every 3 years.
