A pool certifier has an important role to make every swimming pool safe and avoid unnecessary penalties. In NSW, a private certifier should hold an E1 category or an A1, A2, A3 category in order to carry out inspections for pool barriers.
Before they become a certified pool certifier, they should undergo different processes of accreditation and training. For those who are planning to become private pool certifiers, it is necessary to know and understand the procedures to minimize pool-related problems and issues.
Here are some guidelines on how to become a swimming pool certifier in NSW. Read on here.
Duties of a pool certifier
An accredited certifier can inspect pool fence and issue relevant certificates under the Swimming Pools Act 1992. These certificates can be either a compliance certificate or a non-compliance certificate and a notice.
There are also some pool certifiers that can provide minor repair services in order to comply with the law. However, they should first be authorised under the Home Building Act.
Apart from this, those who are category E1 certifiers are not eligible to issue an occupation certificate. Moreover, category A4 certifiers must hold an E1 accreditation in order to certify pools.
Applying for accreditation
E1 Quick Start
This is a priority enrolment for E1 training course. If you want to be a certifier, you must satisfy the requirements of one of the two pathways to E1 accreditation. You can only be eligible for enrolment in Quick Start E1 course if you meet the requirement for whichever pathway.
Pathway 1 (Qualification and completion of E1 course)
For those applicants who are under pathway 1, they should hold one of the following:
Unconditional accreditation in category A4
An endorsed/authorised contractor’s licence or qualified supervisor’s certificate.
Pathway 2 (Experience and completion of E1 course)
For pathway 2, who don’t have any accreditation, certificate or licence, they should meet the following requirement:
Has 2 years of recent practical experience working for a local council. They should have also inspected at least 20 different pools and issued certified swimming pools’ compliance.
It is also important that the applicant will undergo approved training courses in order to be accredited.
Undergo approved E1 training courses
In order to be an E1 certifier, a certificate of satisfactory completion is needed. The Building Professionals Board approved the following course providers:
Building UpSkills
At this time, only these 2 providers are approved and authorised by the Board. If you are enrolled and completed a course that is not notified by the Building Professionals Board, then you will not be able to become accredited as certifiers.
Cost
For E1 certifier applicants, a payment of $750 is needed upon application. This is to be paid by credit card or direct bank. Moreover, if you are an A4 accredited certifier in which you already paid the accreditation fee, there is no need to pay for an additional accreditation fee. When it comes to training course, different organisations will set their individual fees.
Renewal of accreditation
It is important to renew your accreditation each year with the BPB. You only need to attach all required documents such as statutory declaration, certificate of currency for the indemnity insurance, copy of driver’s licence and a completed renewal form. You will also need to pay $750 for the renewal fee.
Conclusion
To become a pool certifier, you need to follow certain procedures that are given by the Building Professionals Board. The accreditation scheme from the BPB will set the criteria for you to be a qualified pool certifier.
For more information, you can visit the Building Professionals Board website. If you are also looking for the assistance of an accredited private certifier, choose a reliable pool safety inspection company that provides both inspection and repair services.