Your pool failed inspection: what happens next

A fail is normal and usually cheap to resolve. Here is the order of operations to get to a certificate, step by step.

Last reviewed July 2026. Pool rules change and vary by council, so confirm the current requirement with your state authority before you act.

A failed inspection is common and rarely a crisis. Most pools that fail have one or two small defects, not a wholesale rebuild. The steps below are the order of operations that gets you from a non-compliance notice to a certificate.

The 6 steps from fail to certificate

1. 1. Receive the non-compliance notice

   When a pool does not pass, the inspector gives you a written list of what needs to change. Most lists are short and made up of small items: gate hardware, a gap to close, or something climbable to move. In NSW a formal certificate of non-compliance may be issued, which sets the clock for rectification.

2. 2. Understand the fail reasons

   Read the defect list against the common causes before you plan any fix. Knowing whether a defect is a quick hardware swap or a structural fence issue changes who you call next.

   See the common reasons pools fail inspection

3. 3. Decide: DIY or hire a tradesperson

   Many defects are within reach of a capable owner or a general handyperson: replacing a self-closing hinge or latch, packing soil to close an under-fence gap, relocating the pool pump, or putting up a compliant CPR sign. Larger jobs, such as raising or replacing a non-compliant fence section, are usually best left to a licensed fencing contractor.

4. 4. Complete the repairs

   Work through the defect list item by item. Keep receipts and photos of the completed work in case you need to show it to the inspector or a future buyer.

5. 5. Book the reinspection

   Once the defects are fixed, arrange a reinspection, usually cheaper than the first visit. Use an accredited certifier (NSW) or a QBCC-licensed inspector (QLD), the same as for the first inspection.

   Find an accredited inspector or certifier by region

6. 6. Obtain your certificate

   Passing produces your certificate of compliance (NSW) or Form 23 pool safety certificate (QLD), ready to attach to a sale contract or hand to a tenant.

If you are mid-sale

In NSW you can still sell with a certificate of non-compliance attached to the contract, and the buyer then has 90 days after settlement to rectify. In QLD, a non-shared pool can be sold without a certificate if the buyer is given the prescribed notice, again with a 90-day window. The exception in NSW is a pool that poses a public safety risk, which must be fixed before sale. Confirm the current process with your state authority. Sources: NSW Government owner obligations; QBCC pool safety.

This is general information, not legal advice. The authorities are NSW Fair Trading and the NSW Swimming Pool Register in New South Wales, and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) in Queensland. Always confirm the current rule for the state your pool is in.