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How high does a pool fence need to be in NSW?

NSW Government guidance states that a pool fence must be at least 1.2 m high, measured from finished ground level. If a boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier, that barrier must be 1.8 m high.

The 1.2 m figure is the height commonly quoted for a pool fence inside the property. It is measured on the outside of the barrier from the finished ground, not from the top of a garden bed that can be moved.

A boundary fence used as part of the pool barrier is treated differently. NSW Government guidance says that barrier must be 1.8 m high. Which side is measured, and how a slope or retaining wall is treated, depends on the standard that applies to the pool.

Pools built at different times can sit under different versions of AS 1926. The NSW Government notes 1986, 2007 and 2012 versions, tied to construction dates, and says a substantial change to the barrier can bring the current requirements into play.

Common mistakes

• Measuring from the pool side only and missing a low spot outside the fence.
• Assuming a 1.5 m Colorbond boundary is tall enough because it feels high.
• Adding soil or a planter that reduces the effective height.

Official sources

• NSW Government — owning a pool or spa
• NSW Swimming Pool Register
• Swimming Pools Act 1992 (NSW)

Pool fencing requirements can depend on the pool, property, barrier configuration, construction date and applicable legislation/standards. Information on this website is provided as general guidance and should not replace advice from the relevant NSW authority, council, certifier or qualified professional. For an installation project, our team can assess the site and identify potential fencing and access issues before installation.