Aquatic Facilities

Aquatic facilities are classified into two categories under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019:

  • Category 1 facilities must be registered with Council
  • Category 2 facilities must notify Council

All aquatic facilities, both Category 1 and Category 2, must have a Water Quality Risk Management Plan. This plan outlines how your facility will meet the requirements of the Regulations and the Water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities.

We also recommend reviewing the Aquatic facilities in Victoria | health.vic.gov.au for further information.

Category 1 Aquatic Facilities

A Category 1 aquatic facility includes swimming pools, spa pools, or interactive water features that are:

  • Used by the public, free or paid
  • Used for classes or programs, free or paid
  • Located at early childhood services, schools, or other educational institutions
  • Located at aged care facilities
  • Located at public or private hospitals, including denominational and multipurpose services
  • Operated within the meaning of Section 3(1) of the Health Services Act 1988

A swimming pool is any artificial structure containing water that is used or intended to be used for:

  • Swimming, diving or paddling
  • Recreational or therapeutic bathing
  • Hydrotherapy or exercise

Starting a new aquatic facility business

Step 1.Apply for Health Business Plan Assessment 

Before starting any building or renovation work, we recommend that aquatic facility businesses submit their plans to our Environmental Health Officers for review.

This allows you to receive written advice on the design and setup requirements for public health businesses.

To apply, please complete and submit the following application:
Application for Plan Assessment(PDF, 364KB)

It is your responsibility to make sure all required permits and approvals have been obtained. For guidance and support during this process, please contact our Business Concierge.

Step 2.Apply for Category 1 Aquatic Facility Registration 

Before operating, your aquatic facility business must be registered with Council under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Operating an unregistered public health business is an offence and may lead to enforcement action

Apply for Category 1 Aquatic Facility Registration(PDF, 312KB)

Step 3.Final inspection and registration 

Before your aquatic facility business can begin operating, a final inspection must be carried out by an Environmental Health Officer to ensure your premises meet all legislated requirements.

We recommend booking your inspection at least 5 business days before your planned opening date.

To book a final inspection, contact your Environmental Health Officer:

Phone: 9784 1915

Email: health@frankston.vic.gov.au

Category 2 Aquatic Facilities

A Category 2 aquatic facility is a swimming pool or spa pool that is open to the public and located at:

  • A residential apartment complex
  • A hotel, motel, or hostel

These aquatic facility operators must notify Council and have a Water Quality Risk Management Plan.

Apply for Category 2 Aquatic Facility Notification

Notification for Category 2 Aquatic Facility(PDF, 788KB)

Buying an existing Category 1 Aquatic Facility business

Step 1.Apply for a Pre-Purchase Inspection

Before finalising your purchase, we strongly recommend requesting a Pre-Purchase Inspection.

This inspection provides a report outlining any outstanding requirements for the premises and any current Orders or Notices issued to the business.

Application for pre-purchase inspection(PDF, 356KB)

It is your responsibility to make sure all required permits and approvals have been obtained. For guidance and support during this process, please contact our Business Concierge.

Step 2.Apply for Transfer of Registration 

The new business owner must apply to transfer the registration of the aquatic facility business, and the Transfer of Registration application must be signed by the outgoing owner.

To begin, email info@frankston.vic.gov.au to request the transfer of registration application.

Before the registration can be transferred, a transfer inspection must be completed by an Environmental Health Officer. Approval will only be granted once all identified matters have been resolved.

Important Note: If purchasing a Category 2 Aquatic Facility business you must submit the notification for category 2 aquatic facility(PDF, 788KB), there is no transfer required.

Apply for Transfer of Registration

Step 3.Final inspection and registration 

Before operating your aquatic facility business, a final inspection must be carried out by an Environmental Health Officer to ensure your premises complies and to approve Registration.

We recommend booking your inspection at least 5 business days before your planned opening date.

To book a final inspection, contact your Environmental Health Officer:

Phone: 9784 1915

Email: health@frankston.vic.gov.au

Exempt Aquatic Facilities

Aquatic facilities exempt from registration or notification are:

  • 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 or private dam within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Water Act 1989

It is your responsibility to make sure all required permits and approvals have been obtained before you operate. For guidance and support during this process, please contact our Business Concierge.

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