Pool Approvals NSW
Approvals and certification for your pool or spa? Sorted.
Pool approvals, sorted.
If you’re planning a new pool or spa in NSW, approvals are a key part of the process. Most pools and larger spas need certification before construction can begin, along with approval for safety barriers. That’s where Buildcert comes in.
We work alongside pool companies, builders and homeowners to make the approval process straightforward from day one. Our certifiers review your plans, confirm what’s needed for compliance, and carry out the required inspections right through to final certification.
The result? A clear, efficient path to getting your pool approved, without delays or confusion.
(Note: Buildcert does not issue Pool Compliance Certificates for existing pools. You’ll need an E1 Certifier or Council for that.)
[ Our approach ]
How we get your pool approval sorted.
01
Getting startedWhat we need
For pool approval, we’ll start by reviewing your site plans. If you’re going down the Complying Development Certificate (CDC) pathway (or aren’t sure yet), that’s the main document we’ll need. Extra details like your Title Search, or Section 10.7 Planning Certificate, are also handy if you have them. For a Construction Certificate (CC), we’ll just need your stamped DA plans and development consent.
Quote & Go
Once we’ve reviewed your plans, we’ll send you a clear quote along with a checklist of what’s needed. As soon as you give the go-ahead, we’ll get your pool approval moving.
02
Getting your documents readyWho handles this
You’ll be pulling together the main documents, but we’ll guide you on exactly what’s needed. If you don’t have everything on hand, we can also help source the documents for you.
What we check
Our team reviews the essentials upfront so nothing slows your application down. To get your pool approval lodged, the minimum we’ll need is our application form, plus:
For the Complying Development Certificate approval pathway:
- Architectural plans, external elevations, sections plan, construction details and CDC building envelope, Title Search, Deposited Plan & 88b Instrument (if relevant)
- Section 10.7 Planning Certificate
For the Construction Certificate approval pathway:
- Development consent from council
- DA endorsed plans
For a more detailed list of what's required when lodging approvals for pools, please find the related pool documents in Application Forms & Lodgement Checklist.
03
LodgementApplication
We prepare and lodge your application in the NSW Planning Portal, keeping you updated on the progress of the application. Our certifiers will assess your project and conduct a site visit.
We may need some further info, if we do, we will send you exactly what we need and talk you through it. Once we’ve reviewed your pool application, your certifier may issue a Request for Information (RFI) outlining anything extra that’s needed. If your plans need tweaks, we’ll explain what’s required and help you get it sorted.
04
Inspections & ApprovalWho takes care of what
The owner or builder is responsible for booking the mandatory inspections outlined in the approval (book before 3pm for next-day service). We’ll conduct all the mandatory inspections.
What gets checked
For a new pool, inspections typically include:
- Swimming pool reinforcement (concrete pools only) - prior to placement of concrete
- Swimming pool barrier - once the barrier is installed
- Completion inspection
Before the pool can be filled with water, the child-safe barrier/fencing must be fully installed and compliant.
Final step
Once we’ve carried out a completion inspection and everything’s good to go, we’ll issue the Occupation Certificate.
Ready to make a splash?
[ Services ]
The right solution, every time.
Buildcert sort everything from approvals to final sign-off, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ve got one team, all the way through. We’re your one-stop-shop for certification services.
[ Why choose Buildcert ]
Certification sorted.
For projects big or small, Buildcert gets your certification sorted. Trusted experience, clear communication and fast turnarounds mean you get less stress, more certainty, and support to keep your project moving.
- +47000Approvals issued.That's over 47,000 approvals, sorted.
- 15.6B$Total value of construction approved.$15.6B of construction approved and counting.
- +275000Inspections completed.Clients trust Buildcert because we’ve got the experience and know-how to get your certification sorted.
"Buildcert’s building compliance expertise was invaluable during our recent upgrades. Their team brought confidence, clarity and professionalism to a complex project, ensuring everything stayed compliant and on track from start to finish."
"Buildcert has been a reliable partner for years. Their proactive approach, local knowledge, and responsiveness take the stress out of certification for our team."
"Buildcert are a valuable partner for our team. Their practical guidance, collaborative approach and clear advice help us deliver bespoke designs that meet compliance without compromising creativity."
Ready to get your pool approval sorted?
Frequently asked questions.
Got questions about pool build approvals or certification in general? We've put together answers to the most common ones.
Do you issue Pool Compliance Certificates?
No, we don’t provide Pool Compliance Certificates. If you need one, check the NSW Swimming Pool Register for a list of licensed certifiers. That said, we can handle certification for new pool builds, ensuring everything is compliant from the start.
What documentation is needed for a certification quote?
To do a quote for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) we just need your site plans that include front, side and rear setbacks as well as elevations (if you have any supporting property documents like a Title Search send that through as well). For a Construction Certificate (CC), all we’ll need is your development consent from Council and your Development Application (DA) stamped plans.
I’ve already started construction, can I still get a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Construction Certificate (CC)?
Unfortunately not. Neither a CDC nor CC can be issued retrospectively in NSW. If you’ve built without approval, the right path is applying for a Building Information Certificate (BIC) through Council.
What is the process of certifying unapproved works?
If building work was done without proper approval, a Building Information Certificate (BIC) from Council is needed. Council uses the BIC to review what’s been done and decide if it meets current codes or needs modifications.
Can Buildcert help? Unfortunately, Buildcert can’t issue BICs. Only Council can issue a BIC NSW. However, as part of the BIC process, Council may request a Building Code of Australia (BCA) report. If this is the case, then we may be able to assist with this report depending on the project details.
What’s the difference between a Construction Certificate and a Complying Development Certificate; and which one do I need?
Both are types of building approval, but they apply in different situations:
- Complying Development Certificate (CDC): This is a fast-tracked approval that combines both planning and building approval in one. If your project meets specific rules under the State’s Housing Code (like height limits, setbacks and site coverage), you can skip council and get approved by a private certifier, often much faster.
- Construction Certificate (CC): This is used when your project has already been through the full Development Application (DA) process with council. A DA gives planning approval, and the CC is the building approval that follows. You’ll need both before work can start.
Toolbox
Sorted.
