Is there a more luxurious addition to a home than a backyard hot tub? And is any Australian city more suited to hot tubing than our stunning but notoriously chilly capital?
There’s nothing quite like a hot tub soak on a cool, clear-skied Canberra evening. But before you immerse yourself in the warm, bubbling, healing waters of your hot tub, you first need to ensure that you’ve installed your spa in accordance with all the relevant rules and regulations. It’s a task that can feel a little overwhelming if you haven’t faced it before.
Good news: we’ve taken care of the research for you. Read on to find out all you need to know about hot tub regulations in Canberra.
Who controls hot tub regulations in Canberra?
Most hot tub rules and regulations are set by the ACT government. The bulk of them are laid out in the Home Swimming Pool Safety Reforms that were implemented by the ACT Planning department on 1 May 2024.
The legislation uses the term ‘swimming pools’, but this actually refers to hot tubs too. In fact, the definition of ‘swimming pool’ is even broader than that, covering bodies of water that are:
- capable of containing water to a depth greater than 30cm; and
- associated with a residential building such as a house, unit, townhouse or block of apartments.
The reforms go on to say that this definition includes hot tubs and spas, as well as in-ground and above-ground pools, temporary and permanent pools, wading pools, demountable pools, portable pools and kids’ pools. The shallowest Hot Spring models are around 70cm deep, so they are comfortably covered by the legislation.
While the ACT government sets the rules, Councils and other local authorities play their part in the enforcement of the reforms and taking care of a lot of the administration that surrounds the legislation.
Do I need council approval to install a hot tub in Canberra?
Yes, you will usually need to secure a building permit before you install any form of pool or spa in Canberra. According to the Building Act 2004, you must also have:
- A pool builder
- A building certifier
- Plans
- Inspections
- Certificates
- Design and construction standards.
Some exceptions can apply, so the best approach is to check your responsibilities based on your specific situation. The ACT’s building approvals portal offers an easy way to do just that.
Do spas need to be fenced in Canberra?
You do need to secure your hot tub with a safety barrier in Canberra. The 2024 reforms to pool and spa safety were designed to minimise incidents of drowning, and a safety barrier forms a key requirement of the legislation.
The good news is that this barrier isn’t necessarily fencing. If your hot tub was installed on or after 1 May 2023, “a lockable, child-resistant structure (such as a door, lid, grille or mesh) will be permitted if it satisfies the prescribed safety standard.”
That prescribed safety standard is a cover which:
- is of substantial construction and has no opening through which it is possible to pass a testing apparatus; and
- ii. is securely fastened by a device that is itself of substantial construction and has no opening through which it is possible to pass a testing apparatus.
So if your hot tub is fitted with a solid, lockable cover, there’s no need for safety fencing. At Hot Spring we make lockable covers for all our machines, and we also sell replacement covers for all our machines.
There will be a four-year transition period before the reforms go into full effect, so if you already own a spa you’ll need to ensure it meets the new requirements by May 2028. Keep in mind that these requirements can vary with the age of the hot tub. Read more about the reforms here to find out your responsibilities.
Do I need to register my hot tub?
No, you do not need to register your hot tub in Canberra – unlike many other Australian states and territories. Almost all Canberra hot tubs require building approval, however.
What other rules apply to backyard hot tubs in Canberra?
There are a couple of other hot tub requirements and responsibilities that Canberra spa owners need to be aware of:
- Safety signage: In the ACT you must clearly display CPR signage made of durable, weatherproof material somewhere near the hot tub. The sign should be at least 300mm x 300mm in size, and you need to keep it in good condition so it’s easy to read.
- Electrical approvals: Any spa sold in Australia should come with the necessary electrical approvals. If you need to hardwire your spa in, the work must be done by a qualified electrician. Alternatively you can choose a Plug’N’Play machine, like those in our Freeflow collection.
Do I need council approval for a swim spa in Canberra?
Yes, you need to secure the same building approval for a Fastlane Pools swim spa as you do for a hot tub, because swim spa regulations in Canberra and hot tub regulations in Canberra are one and the same.
Hot Spring: your Canberra hot tub experts
Still have a few questions about hot tub regulations in Canberra? Our expert team is here to help.
At Hot Spring our Canberra team has spent over three decades helping ACT residents secure their dream hot tubs. We’re deeply familiar with local rules and regulations, and we can ensure that your hot tub is installed according to all the rules and regulations.
Working out of Fyshwick, we’re the local supplier of the oldest, most trusted, most innovative and most energy efficient spa brand in Australasia. We’ve even got a range of Hot Spring hot tubs that are full, warm and bubbling, ready for a test on our showroom floor.
Want to experience the Hot Spring difference? Get in touch today.