The two VBA forms

Form 23 vs Form 24

Two forms, one goal — a safe, compliant barrier. A Form 23 says your barrier passes; a Form 24 is the step in between. Here is exactly how they differ and what to do next.

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Form 23 vs Form 24 at a glance

Both forms come from the same inspection of your pool or spa barrier. Which one you receive turns on a single thing: whether the barrier meets the safety standard on the day. For the full detail on the certificate itself, see our Form 23 explainer.

Form 23 — it complies

The Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance. Issued when the barrier meets the standard, then lodged with your council. This is the document you want — proof your pool is compliant.

Form 24 — it does not (yet)

Lodged with the council when the barrier does not comply. It is a record of non-compliance, not a fine — a marker that the barrier needs work before it can be certified.

In short: one inspection, two possible outcomes. A pass produces a Form 23; a fail produces a Form 24 and a clear list of what to fix.

What to do if you receive a Form 24

A Form 24 is not the end of the road — it is a clear, fixable to-do list, and almost every barrier that gets one goes on to pass. Here is how to turn it into a Form 23:

  • Read the inspector's list — it names each item that did not meet the standard, such as a gate that does not self-latch, a climbable object in the non-climbable zone, or a missing CPR sign.
  • Fix the listed items — small jobs like adjusting a latch or moving a pot plant are often quick; a few may need a fencing contractor.
  • Book a re-inspection — we return and re-check just the items on the list, not the whole barrier from scratch.
  • Get your Form 23 — once the barrier passes, we issue the certificate and lodge it with your council.

The certificate you end up with is the Certificate of Barrier Compliance — the same Form 23 a compliant barrier gets first time. A Form 24 simply adds one fix-and-recheck step along the way.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Form 23 and a Form 24?

A Form 23 is the Certificate of Pool and Spa Barrier Compliance — it is issued when your barrier meets the standard. A Form 24 is lodged with the council when the barrier does not comply; it records the non-compliance so it is on file while you fix the barrier.

Is a Form 24 a fine or a penalty?

No. A Form 24 is not a fine. It simply records that the barrier did not comply on the day of inspection. It is a normal step on the way to compliance — you fix the listed items, re-inspect, and receive your Form 23.

Who lodges the Form 24?

The VBA-registered inspector lodges the Form 24 with your local council after an inspection where the barrier does not pass. Once you have fixed the items and the barrier passes a re-inspection, the same inspector can issue and lodge your Form 23.

I received a Form 24 — what do I do now?

Work through the list of items the inspector gave you, get them fixed, then book a re-inspection. Once the barrier meets the standard, we issue your Form 23 and lodge it with the council, and you are compliant.

Book your inspection & certificate

VBA-registered inspection and your Form 23 Certificate of Barrier Compliance, from $170 ex GST.