Public pools and public spas

Public pools

Public swimming pools and spa pools are regulated to protect public health and reduce the risk of illness, injury and disease transmission. Council officers carry out inspections and compliance activities to ensure pools are operated safely, hygienically and in accordance with the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022.

Public pools and spa pools

Public swimming pools and public spa pools are those to which members of the public are admitted, whether admission is free of charge or on payment of a fee. These include pools located at:

• clubs
• workplaces
• hotels
• motels 
• guest houses
• schools
• hospitals 

It does not include pools situated at a private residential premises unless used for commercial purposes.

A spa pool includes any structure (other than a swimming pool) that holds more than 680 litres of water, is used or intended to be used for human bathing and has facilities for injecting jets of water or air into the water.

Notification

Premises at which a public swimming pool or spa pool is located must notify Council. To register your pool or spa, please complete the health premises registration form via our Registration of Health Premises page.

Inspections

Council conducts regular inspections of public swimming pools and spas as part of our routine inspection program. The Public Health Act 2010 and Regulation 2022, in particular Schedule 1 Requirements for public swimming pools and spa pools, sets minimum operating, testing and record keeping requirements for all public swimming pools and spa pools. 

Public swimming pools and spa pools must be properly managed to reduce the microbiological, chemical, environmental, and water supply hazards to the health of bathers.

How everyone can help

Pool operators and visitors can play a big part in keeping pools safe and healthy.
Please keep the following in mind:

• Don’t swim if you've had diarrhoea in the past two weeks
• Always shower and wash thoroughly with soap before entering the pool
• Try not to swallow pool water
• Avoid urinating in pool/spa water

Things to consider

• The cost for public swimming pool inspections is outlined in the 2025 / 2026 fees and charges
• Please refer to NSW Health’s Public Swimming Pools and Spa Pools website for detailed information on pool requirements 
• There are also requirements for swimming pool safety barriers. Please see Council’s website for additional information on these requirements Pools and spas | Central Coast Council and Pool safety | Central Coast Council.

Need more help? 

For further information call us on (02) 4306 7900 or email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au