Mutual Recognition

Mutual recognition is available to people who wish to become an NSW E1 Accredited Swimming Pool Certifier and are already registered as a swimming pool inspector in another State.

A person who has completed the 11067NAT Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections may then become a QLD Pool Safety Inspector. A QLD Pool Safety Inspector may then apply to the Building Professionals Board via the Mutual Recognition Application Form, to receive accreditation as an E1 Swimming Pool Certifier in NSW.

A QLD Pool Safety Inspector may apply to the Building Professionals Board via the Mutual Recognition Application Form, to receive accreditation as an E1 Swimming Pool Certifier.

Please visit the Building Professionals Board website at the below link, where you can find detailed information regarding Mutual Recognition offered to QLD Pool Safety Inspectors who wish to become accredited E1 Swimming Pool Certifiers http://bpb.nsw.gov.au/mutual-recognition-e1-swimming-pool-certification.

Mutual Recognition Process

The information below explains the simple process for obtaining Mutual Recognition of your QLD Pool Safety Inspectors licence.

It is important to note that this process may result in you obtaining Accreditation as an E1 Swimming Pool Certifier, but will not result in you have the requisite knowledge to conduct pool safety inspections in NSW. The process of mutual recognition does not require you to complete further training, however you will have to consider how you are going to obtain the knowledge regarding NSW legislation and Standards, after obtaining your NSW Accreditation.

1. Must complete an Accredited training course to become a QLD Pool Safety Inspector.
   
   An individual wishing to conduct inspections of swimming pools in QLD must complete an Accredited 10660NAT Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections. There are no pre-requisite requirements to hold a particular qualification or experience for enrolment in this course.
   
   
2. Must apply to the QBCC for a QLD Pool Safety Inspector license
   
   After completing the Accredited 10660NAT Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections, an individual can apply to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission to become a licensed QLD Pool Safety Inspector.
   
   
3. 3. Apply for Mutual Recognition of QLD licence with NSW Building Professionals Board.
   
   A QLD Pool Safety Inspector may apply for Mutual Recognition with the NSW Building Professionals Board to become an Accredited E1 Swimming Pool Certifier.

To apply for Mutual recognition of your QLD Pool Safety Inspectors licence, it will be necessary for you to:

• Complete the Mutual Recognition Application Form and lodge with the Building Professionals Board, along with the documentation and evidence they require (explained on the form)
• Provide evidence that you hold the required Professional Indemnity Insurance. Information regarding the Professional Indemnity Insurance required to be held by an Accredited Certifier can be found at the following link http://bpb.nsw.gov.au/become-certifier/how-become-certifier. APSIC can provide you with a referral to an Insurance provider who can provide you with the required Professional Indemnity Insurance for $680.
• Provide a copy of your QLD Pool Safety Inspectors licence.
• Pay the Building Professionals Board the fee of $750 for Mutual Recognition.
• The Board will check the information provided in your Mutual Recognition Form and, if satisfied, they will send you a certificate of accreditation as an E1 Swimming Pool Certifier. They will also send you information regarding the approved E1 Swimming Pool Certification training course, which you are recommended to complete.
• You will then need to contact the NSW Office of Local Government to join the NSW Swimming Pool Register. Certificates of Compliance are issued via this website.

Pool Safety Laws NSW

The swimming pool laws in NSW are more complex that those in other States.

In NSW, the Australian Standard applied during an inspection will depend on the age of the swimming pool, whether an exemption applies, and whether or not the swimming pool has been substantially altered or rebuilt at any time. For example, the Australian Standards used in NSW are:

• AS 1926-1986;
• AS 1926.1-2007, and
• AS 1926.1-2012

By comparison, in QLD only one pool safety standard is applied to all regulated swimming pools. This Australian Standard is:

• AS 1926.1-2007 with QDC MP 3.4 modifications
• AS 1926.2-2007 with QDC MP 3.4 modifications

Therefore, although the role and functions of QLD Pool Safety Inspectors are very similar to those of NSW E1 Swimming Pool Certifiers, the requisite knowledge to conduct pool safety barrier inspections is very different.

Although a QLD Pool Safety Inspector may apply for Mutual Recognition as an E1 Swimming Pool Certifier, it is essential that you also obtain the requisite knowledge to be able to conduct an inspection in NSW in the correct manner.

Contact Us

For any information regarding the 10660NAT Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections and the mutual recognition process, please contact Jacqui Murphy on m: 0411 461 432.