Advice or inspection: what the June 2026 QBCC fact sheet means for pool safety inspectors
QBCC's June 2026 fact sheet: once an inspector measures or tests a regulated pool they must issue a certificate or notice. What advice is still allowed.
QBCC's June 2026 fact sheet says that once a licensed inspector inspects a regulated pool, whether the visit is called a consultation, an advisory visit or an informal check, the inspection rules of the Building Act apply and the inspector must issue either a pool safety certificate or a nonconformity notice. An inspector may still give general advice on proposed fencing, landscaping or designs, discuss the requirements in general terms and explain likely issues for proposed works.Source: QBCC fact sheet, Pool safety inspections and advisory services (effective June 2026), read 5 Nov 2026.
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What counts as an inspection
The fact sheet says whether an inspection has occurred depends on the facts of each engagement, and that the substance of the activity, not the description given to it, decides. Activities that may indicate one has occurred include:
- assessing whether a regulated pool barrier meets the requirements;
- taking measurements of a barrier or its parts;
- testing the operation of gates, latches or other barrier elements;
- assessing non-climbable zones or other requirements of the pool safety standard;
- identifying nonconformities against the legislative requirements; or
- forming or communicating a view about whether a regulated pool meets, or is likely to meet, the pool safety standard.
What you may and may not do
| You may | You must not |
|---|---|
| Give general advice on proposed fencing, landscaping or future designs. | Inspect a regulated pool and describe it as an informal check. |
| Discuss the legislative requirements in general terms. | Inspect a regulated pool barrier and avoid issuing the required statutory outcome. |
| Explain likely issues for proposed works. | Inspect a regulated pool and decline to issue a certificate or notice because it was advisory or a consultation. |
On the question "can I attend a property and provide advice without issuing a certificate or nonconformity notice", QBCC answers yes, provided you are not inspecting the regulated pool barrier, undertaking measurements, or forming a view about whether the pool meets the standard.
What you must do after an inspection
QBCC says that once an inspector inspects a regulated pool, sections 246AA and 246AB of the Building Act apply, and the inspector must either issue a pool safety certificate or a nonconformity notice, depending on whether they are reasonably satisfied the pool meets the standard. It describes the inspection functions in section 231C of the Act as inspecting a regulated pool to decide whether to give a certificate, carrying out minor repairs arising from the inspection, and giving a certificate or a nonconformity notice. It adds that an inspector cannot avoid these obligations by saying they are "not acting as a PSI".
What changed, and what is not settled
QBCC says previous guidance referred to advisory and consulting services, and that the updated guideline for pool safety inspectors omits references that could suggest an inspection may happen without the statutory outcome. The Swimming Pool and Spa Association said on 15 April 2026 that QBCC's guidance on advisory work appears to have shifted over time and is not consistent across QBCC communications, and that it had written to QBCC seeking clarification. We have not seen a reply, so read the fact sheet itself, and ask QBCC (139 333) if you are unsure about a particular engagement. This page is not legal advice.
A homeowner's shared self-check report
Homeowners can send a PoolPreCert self-check report with a request. The fact sheet does not mention reading a report an owner has shared, and what you do at the property is what counts. Our shared report page and request form say that opening a report is not an inspection of the pool and that only a licensed inspector can inspect it and issue a certificate or notice. If you measure, test or form a view when you are there, you are inspecting. The owner's side of this is in can a pool inspector do a pre-inspection.
How this page was made: the PoolPreCert team read each page listed under Sources on 5 November 2026 and wrote this in plain words. The dates beside each source are the dates those pages show. PoolPreCert is not part of QBCC or the Queensland Government, and only a licensed pool safety inspector decides whether a pool meets the standard.
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Common questions
Can an inspector give advice without issuing a certificate or notice?
QBCC's fact sheet says yes, provided the inspector is not inspecting the regulated pool barrier, taking measurements or forming a view about whether the pool meets the standard. General advice about proposed works, future requirements or design options does not trigger the statutory outcomes.
What counts as an inspection?
The fact sheet lists activities that may indicate an inspection has occurred: assessing the barrier, taking measurements, testing gates and latches, assessing non-climbable zones, identifying nonconformities, or forming or communicating a view on whether the pool meets or is likely to meet the standard. It says the substance of the activity, not its description, decides.
Does calling a visit a consultation or an informal check change anything?
No. QBCC says a pool safety inspector cannot avoid the obligations by describing the engagement as a consultation, advisory visit or informal check, or by saying they are not acting as an inspector.
What must the inspector do after an inspection?
QBCC says that following an inspection of a regulated pool the inspector must either issue a pool safety certificate or a nonconformity notice, depending on whether they are reasonably satisfied the pool meets the standard.
Is it settled?
QBCC's fact sheet is the regulator's current statement. The Swimming Pool and Spa Association said on 15 April 2026 that QBCC's guidance appears to have shifted over time and that it had written to QBCC asking for clarity. We have not seen a reply.