Public Aquatic Facility

The following categories of public aquatic facilities must comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 (the regulations) and the Water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities – managing public health risks (the Water Quality Guidelines):

Category 1 aquatic facility:

Means a swimming pool, spa pool or interactive water feature that –

  1. is used by members of the public, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee; or
  2. is used in association with a class or program that is offered free of charge or on payment of a fee; or
  3. is located at the premises of an early childhood service, school, or other educational institution; or
  4. is located at premises at which residential aged care services are provided; or
  5. is located at any of the following premises:
    1. a public hospital.
    2. a multi-purpose service.
    3. a denominational hospital.
    4. a private hospital.

The functions of a multi-purpose service are the provision of any or a combination of the following – (a) public hospital services; (b) health services; (c) aged care services; (d) community care services; and further criteria as defined in the Health Services Act 1998. 

Registration Application(DOCX, 206KB)

Current Fee Schedule(PDF, 186KB)

Category 2 aquatic facility

Means a swimming pool or spa pool that is used by members of the public and located at the premises of the following –

  1. a residential apartment complex.
  2. a hotel, motel, or hostel.

While the term ‘members of the public’ is not defined in the regulations, the term in the context of a “category 2 aquatic facility” means persons other than the owners and residents of a residential apartment complex, hotel, motel, or hostel.

The following types of aquatic facilities are not required to comply with the regulations and the Water Quality Guidelines:

Exempt facility

Means any of the following –

  1. a spa pool that is, or is intended to be, emptied of water after each use;
  2. a floatation tank.
  3. a spring water pool that has a turnover rate of at least 25 percent of the entire volume of the water in the pool to waste each hour.
  4. a waterway within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Water Act 1989.
  5. private dam within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Water Act 1989.

Floatation tank means a heated, highly saline, fluid-filled enclosed tank designed for individual therapeutic use.

If you have any questions regarding registering your public pool or spa, please contact Council's Environmental Health Unit on (03) 5772 0333.

Registration Form(DOCX, 206KB)

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