Requirements for CPR and warning signs

Swimming pool areas must display:

• a compliant CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) sign
• a warning sign during construction.

CPR signs

You must have a compliant CPR sign prominently displayed if you:

• have a pool
• are selling or leasing (renting) a property with a pool

The compliant CPR sign must:

• show how to perform CPR in line with the technique outlined below. 
• be attached to the safety barrier of the pool, or displayed near the pool, so that the sign is easily visible to a person near the pool
• be at least 300mm by 300mm in size
• be made of durable and weatherproof material
• include a prominent statement explaining how to act in an emergency (e.g. call Triple Zero, stay with the injured person, provide first aid).

CPR technique to be displayed

From 1 January 2017, all new CPR signs for swimming pools must comply with 'ANZCOR guideline 8 - cardiopulmonary resuscitation' published by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). 

CPR sign.jpg

 If there was a CPR sign already in place on 1 January 2017, that complied with the previous requirements, it may stay in place until it becomes illegible.However, when that CPR sign becomes illegible, it must be replaced with a sign that is compliant with the technique from Guideline 8. 

Warning signs

If you are building a swimming pool, before construction starts you must display a sign stating that it is under construction.

The warning sign must:

• warn people that a swimming pool is under construction, and that there is a danger to young children accessing the land (e.g. 'Danger. Swimming pool under construction. Keep children out.')
• be placed within 1.5m of the road frontage for the land
• be mounted so that the bottom of the sign is at least 300mm above ground level
• be positioned so that it is visible from the road
• be made of weatherproof material
• have the warning written in bold text at least 50mm high.
• If the land has more than 1 road frontage, a warning sign is only required on 1.
• This requirement does not apply to portable pools.

More information

For detailed information, see the pool safety guidelines or Chapter 8 of the Building Act 1975.