NSW Pool Fencing Compliance Guide
Pool fencing is mandatory in NSW under Australian Standard AS1926. The version that applies to your pool depends on when it was built (1986, 2007 or 2012), but the core idea is the same: a young child must not be able to climb over, crawl under, or squeeze through the barrier, and the gate must close and latch on its own every time.
Minimum Height
The boundary fence or pool barrier must be at least 1.2m high measured from the finished ground level.
Maximum Gaps
Gaps between vertical bars and the space under the fence must not exceed 100mm to prevent children from crawling through.
Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ)
A 900mm "clear zone" must be maintained on the outside of the fence, free from trees, shrubs, and climbable objects.
Mesh & Perforation
For mesh fencing, apertures must not exceed 13mm to prevent toe-holds for climbing.
Compliance Certification Process
Self Assessment
Use the NSW Fair Trading checklists to identify potential non-compliance issues before booking an inspection.
On-site Inspection
A qualified certifier or Newcastle Council inspector will physically measure and test your pool barrier and gate hardware.
Certificate Issued
If compliant, a certificate is valid for 3 years. If fails, you have 90 days to rectify issues (unless dangerous).
Horizontal Bar Spacing
If the fence has horizontal components that could be used for climbing, they must be at least 900mm apart to ensure a child cannot gain purchase on both simultaneously.
warning Common Compliance Fails
- close Gates that don't self-close or self-latch from all positions.
- close Climbable trees or shrubs growing within the 900mm NCZ.
- close Furniture or pot plants placed near the fence.
- close Ground levels rising over time, reducing effective fence height.
Need a compliance inspection?
Tell us when your pool was built and what fencing you currently have. We'll match you with a qualified Newcastle inspector and arrange a free quote.
More AS1926 requirements you should know
Self-closing, self-latching gates
Pool gates must close and latch from any open position, every time, with no help from a person. Magnetic latches are the standard. The latch release must sit at least 1.5m above ground level so a child cannot reach it.
Boundary fences as pool barriers
If you're using your boundary fence as part of the pool barrier, it must be at least 1.8m high (not 1.2m) and have no horizontal climbable elements on the pool side. Most boundary fences need either a topper or a separate pool fence.
Mesh and perforated barriers
For 1.2m fences, any holes or perforations in the barrier must be no larger than 13mm. Anything larger gives a child a toe-hold for climbing. Tighter mesh is allowed at lower fence heights but you'll usually be better off going taller.
Horizontal bars and climbable elements
If your fence has horizontal rails on the outside (the side a child would approach from), they must be spaced at least 900mm apart. Otherwise the rails become a ladder. The same rule applies to garden beds, retaining walls and aircon units within the 900mm non-climbable zone.
Which version of AS1926 applies to your pool?
NSW law applies the version of AS1926 that was in force when your pool was built. The standard has been updated three times. If your pool predates a version you don't automatically have to upgrade, but if you're replacing a fence today the new work needs to meet the current standard.
Pools built between 1 August 1990 and 31 August 2008. Earliest version of the standard.
Pools built between 1 September 2008 and 30 April 2013. Tightened the non-climbable zone requirements.
Pools built from 1 May 2013 onward. The current version. All new fence installations are built to this.