Commercial Pool Services: Strata, Hotel and School Pools

Commercial pools at apartment blocks, hotels, schools and clubs face stricter rules than a backyard pool. Depending on the state, operators may need to register the pool, test the water several times a day, keep records and hold a current barrier certificate. A commercial pool service provider can take on the testing, cleaning, equipment and paperwork under a maintenance contract.

Who needs commercial pool services?

• Body corporates and strata schemes with shared pools
• Hotels, motels, serviced apartments and holiday parks
• Schools, childcare centres and aged care facilities
• Gyms, clubs and aquatic centres

Water quality rules by state

• NSW: hotel, motel, club, school and workplace pools are public pools under the Public Health Act 2010. Operators must notify council and follow the Public Health Regulation 2022. That includes automated or metered dosing, daily testing before opening, and records kept for six months. Pools used only by residents of a strata scheme are generally not public pools.
• VIC: the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 set two categories. Category 1 covers public pools, schools, childcare, aged care and hospitals, which must register with council. Category 2 covers apartment, hotel, motel and hostel pools. Both need a water quality risk management plan, testing of chlorine and pH every four hours of operation, and records kept for 12 months.
• QLD: there is no state law setting pool water quality. The Public Health Act 2005 requires that water must not pose a health risk, and councils enforce it. Queensland Health publishes guidelines that cover body corporate, hotel and school pools.
• WA: aquatic facilities are regulated under the Health (Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2007 and a code of practice. Operators need approval to build, a certificate of compliance and a permit to operate.

We have not covered the water quality rules in SA, TAS, the ACT or the NT here. Check with the relevant health department.

Barrier rules for shared pools

• QLD: a pool is shared if residents of two or more dwellings can use it. A shared pool safety certificate lasts one year, rather than two. The body corporate must obtain it and display it at the pool entrance.
• NSW: councils must inspect pools at tourist and visitor accommodation, and on properties with more than two dwellings, at least every three years.
• Other states: the general barrier rules apply. See our pool safety laws guide.

What a commercial pool contract covers

• Scheduled water testing, dosing and record keeping
• Cleaning, vacuuming and filter maintenance
• Equipment checks and repairs
• Chemical supply and safe storage
• Reports for council or health inspections
• Barrier and signage checks

What does it cost?

Published prices for commercial work are limited, so treat these as low-confidence indications from aggregator sites in 2026:

Per-visit prices of about $150 to $350 are also published for small commercial pools. Contracts commonly run 12 to 36 months. For house pool pricing, see our pool maintenance cost guide.

Choosing a provider

Ask for experience with your type of facility, insurance, qualified staff, testing and record-keeping procedures, response times and references. Compare commercial pool providers.