National guide
Glass Pool Fence Regulations in Australia
Glass pool fences must use Grade A safety glass and meet AS 1926.1 like any barrier. The standard sets performance rules, not a fixed glass thickness.
Updated November 2026
A glass pool fence must meet the same barrier rules as any other pool fence, plus specific requirements for the glass. Under AS 1926.1:2024, pool fence glass must be Grade A safety glass and must be designed using AS 1288 or tested under the standard's new glass appendix. The standard does not set a fixed thickness. The common 12 mm frameless panel is industry practice, not a legal rule.
The glass requirements
AS 1926.1:2024 clause 2.3.3 covers glass barriers:
- Glass must be Grade A safety glass.
- Panels must resist set loads: 330 N for serviceability and 495 N for strength.
- Thickness is determined by AS 1288:2021 Section 3 or by testing to Appendix G of AS 1926.1.
- Glass gates with pivot hinges must follow the arrangement in the standard.
- Glass that also stops a fall of more than 1,000 mm must be designed as a balustrade under AS 1288 Section 7.
Each panel and fixing configuration must be engineered or tested. Ask your installer for the engineering or test evidence for the system they use.
Height and gaps
- Height: at least 1,200 mm from finished ground level.
- Gaps between panels: these count as openings and must not exceed 100 mm.
- Gap under the glass: no more than 100 mm above finished ground level.
Spigot heights and the 40 to 60 mm panel gaps you often see are typical manufacturer choices that keep within these limits.
Gates, hinges and latches
Glass gates must swing away from the pool, self-close from any position and self-latch. The 2024 edition requires permanent supplier marking on gate latches and hinges, and brings back the 1,400 mm minimum latch-release height above any lower foothold. Hinge alignment matters because heavy glass gates can sag over time.
Non-climbable zones
Glass panels have no rails, which helps, but spigots, hinges, raised garden beds, pots and furniture can still create footholds. The 2024 edition also says plants within a non-climbable zone must not provide footholds or handholds. See our non-climbable zone guide.
Which edition applies?
New barriers use AS 1926.1:2024 once NCC 2025 starts in your state: 1 May 2026 in Victoria and the ACT, and 1 May 2027 in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. WA kept the 2012 edition for private pools, and the NT has not adopted NCC 2025. Existing glass fences are generally assessed against the standard that applied when they were built. Our AS 1926.1 guide lists the changes in the 2024 edition.
Common glass fence problems
- Gates that drop or stop latching after hinge wear
- Gaps under panels that grow as paving moves
- Spigots or clamps that loosen in coastal or salty conditions
- Chipped or damaged panels, which must be replaced
Before you buy
Ask the installer which standard the design meets, request the glass and hardware specifications, and confirm that the gate hardware is marked. Compare prices in our pool fence cost guide, estimate your fence with the pool fence cost calculator, and compare pool fencing providers.
Frequently asked questions
How thick does pool fence glass need to be?
AS 1926.1 does not set a fixed thickness. Glass must be Grade A safety glass designed to AS 1288 or tested to the standard. 12 mm toughened panels are common practice.
What is the maximum gap between glass pool fence panels?
Gaps between panels count as openings and must not exceed 100 mm. Most systems use much smaller gaps.
Do glass pool gates need special hinges?
Gates must self-close and self-latch, and under AS 1926.1:2024 latches and hinges must carry permanent supplier marking.