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 Guidelines).
The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist aquatic facilities to manage water quality risks to public health and to comply with the Regulations and Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (the Act). These regulations are designed to give departments, businesses, councils and individuals frameworks to achieve the highest possible public health standards and protect the wellbeing of Victorians.
Category 1
This category includes a swimming pool, spa pool or interactive water feature that is:
- used by members of the public, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee
- used in association with a class or program that is offered free of charge or on payment of a fee
- is located at the premises of an early childhood service, school, or other educational institution
- is located at premises at which residential aged care services are provided
- is located at a public, denominational or private hospital, or a multi-purpose service
Please note, the role of a multi-purpose service is to provide one or more of the following:
- public hospital services
- health services
- aged care services
- community care services
- further criteria as defined in the Health Services Act 1998
Category 2
This category includes a swimming pool or spa pool that is used by members of the public and located at:
- a residential apartment complex
- 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.
Exemptions
Some aquatic facilities are not required to comply with the Regulations and the Guidelines.
This category includes:
- a spa pool that is, or is intended to be, emptied of water after each use
- a floatation tank
- 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
- a waterway within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Water Act 1989 (the Water Act)
- private dam within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Water Act
Please note, a floatation tank means a heated, highly saline, fluid-filled enclosed tank designed for individual therapeutic use.
Aquatic Facility Registration Renewal Application
If you have any questions regarding registering your public pool or spa, please contact Council's Environmental Health Unit on (03) 5772 0333.