The North Shore spans six councils, and they don't all publish the same information. Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and North Sydney publish their inspection fees. Willoughby, Lane Cove and Mosman don't put a figure online, so ask the council directly if you're comparing it with a private certifier.
Ku-ring-gai alone has more than 18,000 pools, according to its own inspection program. Large leafy blocks mean long fence lines, garden beds and trees close to the fence, which is why the 900 mm non-climbable zone is a common reason North Shore pools fail.
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.
Ku-ring-gai Council
Fee: $150 for an inspection and $100 for a re-inspection. Council will register your pool for you for $10.
The program, which began in 2013, inspects tourist and visitor accommodation and premises with more than two dwellings every 3 years. Requested inspections are done within 10 business days.
Hornsby Shire Council
Fee: $150 for the first inspection and $100 for the follow-up.
Adopted in 2013, the program covers tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-unit housing every 3 years, with random inspections where resources permit. The council says 5 days' notice is generally needed to schedule an inspection.
North Sydney Council
Fee: $150 for the first inspection and certificate, and $100 for each re-inspection, as listed for 2025/2026.
Version 2 of the program was approved on 27 October 2025. Requested inspections are done within 10 business days.
Source: North Sydney Council application form, fees for 2025/2026
Mosman Council
Fee: Charged under the council's fees and charges. No figure is published on its pool pages.
Version 3 of the program was adopted on 20 May 2026. Sale and lease inspections are done within 10 business days of the application and fee.
Willoughby City Council
Fee: No figure is published online. The council says it can't charge more than the Swimming Pools Act and Regulation allow.
The policy, adopted in 2017, inspects within 10 working days of a written request before a sale or lease.
Source: Willoughby City Council certificate of compliance page (undated)
Lane Cove Council
Fee: No figure is published on the council's pool page.
The council says owners can request an inspection at any time, from the council or from a registered swimming pool inspector.
Compare these with the prices private certifiers publish in the pool inspection cost guide.
Gardens, trees and the clear zone
Shrubs, tree branches, retaining walls and garden edging within 900 mm of the outside of the fence can all count as a foothold. Trim branches back from the fence line and move pot plants and furniture before the inspection.
Harbourside homes in Mosman, Cremorne and Lane Cove are sometimes waterfront properties, which NSW law treats differently for some pools built before 1 July 2010. Mention it in your request so the certifier knows what to check.
Suburbs covered in the North Shore
Requests are taken from these suburbs and the streets around them. Include yours in the form.
- Mosman
- Cremorne
- Neutral Bay
- Chatswood
- Castlecrag
- Lane Cove
- Roseville
- Lindfield
- Killara
- Gordon
- Pymble
- St Ives
- Turramurra
- Wahroonga
- Hornsby
- Pennant Hills
- Epping
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 North Shore councils publish their pool inspection fees?
Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and North Sydney publish $150 for the first inspection and $100 for a re-inspection. Willoughby, Lane Cove and Mosman don't publish a figure on their pool pages.
Does Hornsby Council need notice for an inspection?
Its compliance and exemption form says 5 days' notice is generally needed to schedule an inspection. A private certifier may be able to come sooner.
Does a tree near the fence fail the inspection?
It can, if a branch or the trunk gives a child a foothold within 900 mm of the outside of the fence. A certifier will tell you exactly what to cut back.
