Form 23 — Certificate of Pool & Spa Barrier Compliance
The Form 23 is the certificate that proves your pool or spa barrier meets the Victorian safety standard. It is the document your council wants — and the one buyers and agents ask for at sale.
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What is a Form 23?
A Form 23 is the Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance — the official Victorian document that certifies your pool or spa safety barrier meets the standard that applies to it. It confirms the fence, gates and any structures that form the barrier keep young children safely away from the water.
The Form 23 can only be issued by a registered building inspector or building surveyor, and it is lodged with your local council to complete your pool or spa registration. It is the same document people mean when they say a “pool compliance certificate” or a “pool safety certificate”.
Form 23 vs Form 24
These two forms are the two possible outcomes of a barrier inspection:
Form 23 — Compliance
Issued when your barrier passes. This is the certificate you want, and the one you lodge with council.
Form 24 — Non-compliance
Lodged with council when a barrier cannot be made compliant. It starts a formal process to fix the barrier.
In practice, most first inspections turn up small items — a gate latch, a gap, or something climbable in the non-climbable zone. We give you a clear list, you complete the fixes, we re-check, and you receive your Form 23.
How to get your Form 23
- 1
Register your pool or spa with your council
Any pool or spa that can hold more than 300mm of water must be registered with your local council.
- 2
Book a barrier inspection
A VBA-registered inspector checks the barrier, fence and gates against the standard that applies to your barrier.
- 3
Fix anything that fails, then re-check
If the barrier does not yet comply we give you a clear rectification list and re-check the work.
- 4
Receive and lodge your Form 23
Once the barrier passes we issue your Form 23, which is lodged with your council — generally within 30 days of issue.
See the full compliance process and which council you lodge with, the cost and checklist, or exactly what we check on the day on our pool barrier & fence inspection page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Form 23?
A Form 23 is the Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance — the official Victorian document that confirms your pool or spa safety barrier meets the applicable standard. It can only be issued by a registered building inspector or building surveyor, and it is lodged with your local council.
What is the difference between a Form 23 and a Form 24?
A Form 23 is issued when the barrier complies. A Form 24 is a Certificate of Barrier Non-compliance — it is lodged with council when a barrier cannot be made compliant, and it starts a formal process to rectify the barrier. In most cases we identify small fixes, you complete them, we re-check, and you receive a Form 23.
Who can issue a Form 23 in Victoria?
Only a registered building inspector or a registered building surveyor can issue a Form 23. Our inspectors are VBA-registered (Victorian Building Authority), so the certificate we issue is valid to lodge with your council.
How long is a Form 23 valid for?
Registered pools and spas in Victoria must be re-inspected and re-certified every four years, so a Form 23 is generally valid for four years from the date of issue.
Do I need a Form 23 to sell my property?
If your property has a registered pool or spa, a current Form 23 is expected at sale. Getting it before you list avoids delays at settlement.
Book your inspection & certificate
VBA-registered inspection and your Form 23 Certificate of Barrier Compliance, from $170 ex GST.