QLD Pool Safety Standard (QDC MP 3.4)
Form 23 Pool Safety Certificate, Gold Coast.
Sell, lease, or fill a new pool? You need a current Form 23 Pool Safety Certificate. Here’s what gets inspected, what fails most often, and how to pass first time.
What gets inspected.
QDC MP 3.4 and AS 1926.1 require the inspector to check:
- Pool barrier height. 1200mm minimum above ground level on the non-pool side.
- No climbable footholds within 900mm of the barrier. Pots, benches, BBQ, bin, garden bed, low fence — nothing offering a leg-up.
- Gap below the barrier. Maximum 100mm clearance between the lowest part of fence and the ground.
- Gaps between fence panels or pickets. Maximum 100mm (vertical bars) or 10mm (horizontal members).
- Gate operation. Self-closing from a 150mm open position, self-latching, latch height 1500mm AFFL or 1700mm if reachable from below.
- Gate hinges. 900mm clearance below if hinges within the pool zone.
- CPR sign. Visible from the pool, current 2018 version (DG-006).
- Pool ladders and access points. If used to access the barrier, the ladder must be removable, lockable or barrier-compliant.
- Pool windows and doors (if pool inside dwelling envelope). Lockable, screen-protected, alarm-fitted.
Top 4 reasons for inspection failure.
- Gate latch failure (16% of inspections). Latch doesn’t engage from 150mm open, or latch position is reachable by a child. Often degraded over time. Fix: Replace with magnetic latch (Magna-Latch or D&D MagnaLatch). $180–$340.
- Climbable footholds within 900mm (12%). A pot plant, a bin, a low garden retaining wall, an air-con condenser unit. Fix: Relocate the climbable object more than 900mm from the fence. Free.
- CPR sign missing or outdated (10%). Must be the 2018 DG-006 version, not the older 2010 or 1991 versions. Fix: Replace sign. $80–$120.
- Gaps between fence panels exceeding 100mm (8%). Often older aluminium tube fencing where pickets have spread from a fence-line settlement, or where a gate post has moved. Fix: Refit fence post or replace section. $200–$1,400 depending on extent.
What if your fence fails?
A failed inspection results in a Form 26 Nonconformity Notice. You have:
- 3 months to rectify the listed issues
- Until rectification, the pool is non-compliant — can’t be sold or leased
- After rectification, the inspector returns for re-inspection ($120–$180 second visit fee)
- If rectified, Form 23 is issued
90% of failed inspections can be rectified in 1–3 days for under $1,500. We coordinate fixes and re-inspection in one visit.
Our combined service.
For Gold Coast pool owners, we offer:
- Form 23 inspection. $280–$420.
- Pre-inspection compliance check. $180. Identifies issues so you can fix BEFORE the formal inspection, avoiding Form 26 nonconformity.
- Compliance retrofit work. Latch, gate, sign, foothold issues fixed on a single visit. From $280.
- Full fence replacement if existing is past saving. See our frameless glass and aluminium pages.
Pre-inspection compliance check from $180.
Identify issues BEFORE the formal inspection. Avoid Form 26 nonconformity.