Choosing a pool compliance inspector
Not everyone who inspects a pool fence can certify it. Here is who is legally allowed to issue your Form 23 in Victoria, why registration matters, and what to check before you book.
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Who is allowed to certify your pool barrier
In Victoria the law is strict about who can sign off a pool or spa barrier. Only a building surveyor or building inspector registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) can issue a Form 23 Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance. That registration is the whole point — it is proof the person has the training and accountability to judge a barrier against the right standard.
This matters more than it first seems. A fencing contractor or handyman can build or repair your barrier, but a compliance certificate they write is not valid to lodge with your council. If you pay for a “certificate” from an unregistered person, your pool is still not compliant on the record, and you end up paying twice — once for the invalid paperwork and again for a proper inspection.
A genuine Form 23 carries the inspector's name and VBA registration number, so your council can confirm it came from someone allowed to issue it. To see how that certificate fits into registration and lodgement, read the compliance process and council guide.
What to check before you book an inspector
A few quick checks save you money and a wasted visit. Before you book anyone, confirm:
- VBA registration — ask for their registration number, and be wary of anyone who cannot give it
- A fixed, upfront quote — including what a re-inspection costs, so a fail is not a surprise bill
- Local knowledge of your council — how it wants the Form 23 lodged and what it charges
- A clear result on the day — a plain-English pass or a written fix list, not weeks of waiting
Our credentials
We are VBA-registered and Doncaster-based, so the Form 23 we issue is valid to lodge. We inspect and certify across Melbourne's east and north-east — Manningham, Boroondara, Monash, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Nillumbik and Banyule — give a fixed upfront quote, and deliver a same-day result so you are not left waiting. To book the on-site check itself, see our pool barrier and fence inspection page or call 0423 090 211.
Frequently asked questions
Can any handyman or fencing company issue a pool compliance certificate?
No. In Victoria, only a building surveyor or building inspector registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) can issue a Form 23 Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance. A tradesperson can fix your barrier, but they cannot certify it unless they hold that VBA registration.
How do I check that an inspector is VBA-registered?
Ask for their VBA registration number before you book — a registered inspector will give it without hesitation. The number and the inspector's name also appear on the Form 23 itself, so your council can confirm the certificate came from someone allowed to issue it.
What happens if I lodge a certificate from an unregistered person?
Your council will not accept it. A certificate issued by someone who is not VBA-registered is not valid to lodge, which means your pool is still not compliant on the record — and you may have to pay for a second, proper inspection to put it right.
Which areas do your inspectors cover?
We are Doncaster-based and cover Melbourne's east and north-east — Manningham, Boroondara, Monash, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Nillumbik and Banyule. Being local means we know each council's lodgement process and can usually offer a same-day result.
Book your inspection & certificate
VBA-registered inspection and your Form 23 Certificate of Barrier Compliance, from $170 ex GST.