WA Health Department Aquatic Facility Applications

What The Application Requires

Under the Western Australian Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities (and the Health (Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2007), commercial pools and spas are categorized as "Aquatic Facilities."

Applications are required for two main stages: Construction/Alteration and Operation.Below are the requirements for an application as of early 2026.

1. Application to Construct, Alter, or Extend

Before starting work on a new commercial pool/spa or making significant changes to an existing one, the "occupier" (owner/legal operator) must apply for approval from the Chief Health Officer (CHO).

Requirements include:

Completed Application Form: A specific CHO-approved form ("Application to Construct, Alter, or Extend an Aquatic Facility").
Scaled Drawings & Specifications: At least two copies of detailed plans showing:
- The Water Body: Dimensions, depth markings, and floor gradients.
- Circulation & Treatment: Detailed schematics of pumps, filters, and chemical dosing systems (e.g., chlorination, UV, or ozone).
- Ancillary Structures: Plans for the concourse, fencing, lighting (lux levels), toilets, and change rooms.
- Ventilation: Mechanical ventilation plans for indoor facilities.
Site Plan: A block plan showing the pool's position relative to sanitary conveniences and property boundaries.
Completed Checklist: An official Department of Health technical checklist verifying the design meets all 12 sections of the Code of Practice.
Professional Certification: Depending on the design, certifications from structural engineers or electrical contractors may be required for specific components (e.g., equipotential bonding).

2. Application for a Certificate of Compliance

Once construction is complete, you cannot open the pool until you receive a Certificate of Compliance.

Inspection: You must notify the Department of Health (usually 2 weeks in advance for metro areas) to organize a final site inspection.
As-Built Verification: Proof that the facility was built exactly as per the approved plans.

3. Application for a Permit to Operate

This is the final step to legally open a commercial pool or spa. To obtain this permit, the application must demonstrate:

Water Quality Testing: Evidence of satisfactory microbiological and chemical water quality results (tested at a NATA-accredited lab).
Operator Qualifications: Proof that the person managing the facility holds the required qualifications
Facility Operations Manual: A facility-specific manual covering emergency procedures, chemical safety, and maintenance schedules.

Key Classifications

The rigor of the application depends on the "Class" of the facility:

Class 1: Public pools (e.g., municipal centers).
Class 2: Restricted use (e.g., schools, learn-to-swim centers, nursing homes).
Class 3: Smaller commercial sites (e.g., hotels, resorts, mining camps, health clubs).
Class 4: Very small developments (e.g., B&Bs or small apartment blocks with >30 units).

Note: For "like-for-like" maintenance (replacing a pump with an identical model), an application is generally not required, but any structural or systemic change (like changing a pool to a spa or upgrading a filtration system) requires the full application process.

What We Do

In the work we will:

Math model the preferred equipment (or select equipment) as advised and choose alternative items based on compliance requirements if needed. Calculate pipe sizes and likely head of system.
Prepare a schematic for the plant and equipment required with a single line diagram of normal flow. This document includes equipment specifications (based around provided information) and electrical information.
Provide a general plant room layout drawing for use by your fitters, this may include additional suggestions on valve types etc., pipe routing and similar.
Using provided information and the prepared drawings create a set of documents suitable for submission to the department of Health.
Audit the complete data set and assist with completing the required information where we can reasonably provide it or request information that may be missing.
Complete the application form for the technical requirements and send the form for completion of the fields we may not be aware of along with guidance on what is required. Please note signature of the site owner is required on this form.
On receipt back of the signed form back within a few days upload to Department of Health the completed package of data.
Follow up with the Department of Health to get an idea on current processing time and advise back.
Help with any additional queries the Department of Health may have on the project. This can include suggestions on what the DOH may be looking for or where this information is likely to be available from.
On receipt of the Letter to Construct, we make an email up explaining what is required for each point raised on the Letter to Construct this is to assist at end of the project with providing the correct information in a timely manner allowing issuing of the documentation allowing the pool to open.

What We Need

We will need:

List of your preferred equipment (if any) and any specific requirements,
Site plan showing boundaries, street names.
Relevant floor plans including the pool area and plant room.
Elevations or sections impacting the works area.
Engineers signed fiberglass pool plan and section, or structural engineers signed off design for other pools.
Certificate or manufacturers brochures confirming slip rating for the pool surface treatment to P3, pool steps P4 and concourse P4 as needed.
Colour selections (see attached for colour groups) for the pool and the concourse.

Additional documentation may be required as we move through the design and audit stages.