Department of Health

Aquatic facilities in Victoria

Public aquatic facilities include swimming pools, spa pools and interactive water features.

Public aquatic facilities are important for maintaining and promoting active lifestyles and providing health benefits.

However, if aquatic facilities are not properly managed, the health of bathers may be put at risk. Bathers can be affected by disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens) that are passed on through contaminated pool water, contaminated surfaces or person-to-person contact.

This is particularly relevant for vulnerable groups in our community such as young children, the elderly and people with low immunity.

About the regulations

Public aquatic facilities are regulated under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019. The regulations outline registration requirements, general duties of aquatic facility operators, the minimum water quality requirements for aquatic facilities, response procedures for non-compliant water quality, requirements for aquatic facilities suspected or implicated as a source of infection and record-keeping.

Public aquatic facilities key compliance requirements

Information to assist aquatic facility operators to understand their compliance obligations.

Water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities

These guidelines will assist organisations and aquatic facility operators to manage water quality. These guidelines also provide advice to local and state government environmental health officers to help fulfil their regulatory and advisory roles.

Developing a water quality risk management plan for public aquatic facilities

Resources to assist the development of a water quality risk management plan for an aquatic facility.

Aquatic facility incident response procedures

Aquatic facility operators should develop, document and implement formal policies and procedures.

Healthy swimming

Keep your pool safe and clean for everyone.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a hardy parasite that is well suited to survive in pool water.

Reviewed 11 March 2023

Health.vic

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More information

Contact details

Water Unit

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone 1300 761 874 (business hours)
water@dhhs.vic.gov.au
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