Australian Fencing Standards and Laws: A Comprehensive Guide

Types Of Fences

• Dividing fences


• Pool Fencing


• Boundary fencing


• Rural fencing


• Boulder fence


• Gates


• Lapped paling fence


• White picket fence


• Fence posts


• Brush wood fencing

What Are Australian Fencing Standards?

Australian standards are certainly set while keeping the safety and quality assurance of the fence to its users. Some documents set out both procedures and specifications to ensure that each service product and system is safe and reliable to use as per its intent. These specifications and procedures are developed by Australian standards which are both independent and consensus-based processes. Also, the Australian fence standards ensure health safety and information technology. Some such Australian fencing standards include:

• AS 1926.1-2012: Safety barriers for swimming pools.


• AS 1926.2-2017: Location of safety barriers for swimming pools.


• AS 1926.3- 2010: Water recirculation systems.


• AS 1926.4-2012: Water features.


• AS 1926.5-2012: Windows and doors.


• AS 1926.6-2007: Fences gates for private swimming pools.


• AS 1926.7-2007: Water recirculation systems- Suction outlets and discharge inlets.


• AS 1926.8-2017: Final elements and clearances.

Pool Fencing Standards And Facts

Although a few regulations might vary based on state differentiation, in the end, there are a few common elements of pool Fencing standards. There is an AS 1926.1-2012 standard that stipulates no pool fence height should be less than 1.2 m. However, if a pool fence height is below the said height, then the house owner should immediately get in touch with a pool technician, fencing contractor or a licensed builder. Here are some key pool fence height standards and facts that are usually applicable across Australia.

• Fence height: Minimum pool fence height of 1.2 m.


• Climbable zones: Within 90 cm of the pool fence outside, no furniture, shrubs, trees or other climbable objects should be there.


• Gates: It is mandatory to invest in self-latching gates and self-closing gates. Here, the gate latch should be at a height of 1.5 m.


• Clear zones: To reduce the fence's effectiveness, a clear zone should be maintained that is free of objects like trees, shrubs etc


• Materials: Choose those fencing materials that ensure durability and withstand exposure to certain elements.


• Non-climbable zones: These zones extend up to 30 cm away from the pool fence. If there are any horizontal members on the premises, they should be at least 90 cm away from the pool fence.


• Ground clearance: The gap between the ground and pool fence should be at least 10 cm.


• CPR signage: It is a resuscitation signage that should be placed at appropriate locations near the pool area.


• Inspections: A regular inspection should be done on the pool barriers to ensure that the house owner is abiding by ongoing compliance. Moreover, the house owner should also maintain the effectiveness of his or her pool.


• Pool registration: Many local governing bodies of different states mandate that pool owners register their pools with the local council for safety purposes.

Dividing Fence Regulations Based On State

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- New South Wales

An essential thing you need to know about dividing fence rules and standards of New South Wales (NSW) is getting awareness about the Dividing Fences Act 1991. Some of the key points you need to remember in regards to dividing fences in NSW are:

• Generally, the cost of constructing, replacing and repairing a dividing sense is equally shared between two or more property owners.


• Notice should be given to the adjoining owner by the owner before construction, replacement or repair has started. The mentioned notice should include the estimated cost, commencement date and fence type.


• Negotiation and mediation should be encouraged when disputes are raised.


• If one owner wants a more expensive fence, then the interested party should bear the complete expenses of the opened fence.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Victoria

In Victoria, there is a Fence Act 1968 that guides the property owners in aspects of construction repairs and maintenance. One of the key points you need to understand is the responsibility of fencing cost and following the sufficient dividing fence principle. So as a part of this principle, all the involved owners should make an agreement that includes cause sharing type of fence and other necessary details. Moreover, if there are disputes between owners regarding the fence division, each party can look out for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to resolve the issue.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Queensland

People of Queensland should abide by the Neighbourhood Disputes Act 2011 when an individual is planning for fence installation. This act focuses on dividing the fences and trees when more than one party is involved in the fence installation work. Like Victoria, Queensland also has a dispute resolution team known as the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for assistance. An important thing you need to know about dividing fence rules and standards in Queensland is certain approvals are not required. Some of these approvals are regarding residential houses, swimming pool fences, retaining walls and water runoff from the property.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) abides by the Common Boundaries Act 1981 when it comes to dividing friends' rules and standards. It is an act that explains the fence cost sharing between two or more involved parties when fence installation is done. This usually deals with urgent fencing notices, fencing works and the resolution of owner disputes. So when an individual in the Australian capital territory wants to avail of fencing work, he or she should serve the neighbour with the fencing notice. The fencing notice should include all the details the other party should know like type of fence, height of fence, date of fence installation, etc. Once all the involved parties approve the notice, written consent should be taken to proceed.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Northern Territory

According to the Northern Territory of Australian Fences Act 1972, no building approval is required if a fence is less than 1 m in height and vice versa. In fact, in an area like Darwin, there is no need for a fence to be built around the residential property. So, when you are planning to erect a new fence, you need to be thoroughly aware of existing fencing, how to build your legal boundary line and cost-sharing details. Moreover, before you start the fencing work, you as an owner should check the dividing fence rules and standards and apply for a building permit, if necessary. There are certain rules for swimming pools and staff nursing when it comes to the Northern Territory of Australian Fences Act 1972.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Western Australia

As a responsible Western Australian resident, you need to be aware of dividing sense rules and standards of the region and an act called the Dividing Fences Act 1961. This act majorly focuses on neighbour disputes and makes sure to reach an agreement between the involved parties. So, if there is a problem with your neighbour refusing to pay his or her share of the payment then you can take assistance from the Dividing Fences Act 1961. First, you can reach out to the neighbour and agree and then you can even write a letter that includes:

• You intend to repair a fence or erect a fence.


• Avail of two quotes for fence construction.


• An invitation to your neighbour to contact you in need of any doubt clarification and further discussion.


• You can wait for a time frame of 21 days for the involved party(s) to respond.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- Tasmania

The city of Hobart, Tasmania is primarily governed by the Fences Act 1965 and the rules and standards for front fences are different depending upon different zones. The front fence provisions are applied to any gate or fence within 4.5 m of the front boundary with a standard road reserve. If your property comes under the inner residential zone, then your front fence is exempted from planning permits if your fence meets the following requirements:

• If the fancy is solid and up to the height of 1.2 from the ground level.


• If the fence has openings with uniform transparency and at a height of 1.8 m.

However, if you are planning for side and rear boundary fences, then you need planning permits like the following:

• The fence should be within the range of 4.5 m of a frontage.


• The height of the side and rare boundary fences should be beyond 4.5 m of frontage from the ground level.

Dividing Fence Rules And Standards- South Australia

For South Australians, there is a Fence Act 1975 and this act regulates erecting, replacing, repairing and maintenance of fences. This act also has a procedure that resolves fencing disputes to obtain contributions from each neighbour to equally benefit them. The purpose of this act is to ensure that each person seeking fence construction gives opportunities to other neighbours to raise their matters like,

• To provide the counter-proposal


• The need for construction


• The cost of construction and


• The nature of construction

General Standards For Fencing Materials

Depending on the material chosen, various general standards are followed when a fence is installed. For example, AS 2423 2002 is a standard that ensures the use of products like zinc, aluminium and alloy-coated silver wire. Whereas AS 2728 is related to standards for the thickness of paint film on zinc-alloyed fences and AS 1397 for coated mass paint on zinc-alloyed fences. Moreover, there is also the AS 1604 standard that outlines the treatment given to plywood-based, wooden-based and timber-based products. In the same manner, there are certain general standards for fencing materials like wrought iron, vinyl, concrete, bamboo, chain link and colorbond.

Fence Height Standards

In general, the height standards of fences vary depending on the Australian state you belong to because of local government requirements. Each state has set its fence height standards concerning local councils and their certain guidelines. So, if you want to check how each state mandates its fence height standards in Australia, here you go.

• New South Wales (NSW)- 1.2 m of height at maximum.


• Victoria- Often limited to 1.2 m but rear fences are permitted up to 2.0 m.


• Queensland- Restricted to 1.2 m and rear fences are permitted up to 1.8 m.


• Western Australia- Maximum height of 1.2 m but rear fences are allowed up to 2.0 m.


• South Australia- Often limited to 1.2 m but rear fences are permitted up to 1.8 m.


• Tasmania- Limited to 1.2 m but rear fences are permitted up to 2.0 m.


• Northern Territory- Strictly restricted to 1.2 m.


• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)- Often limited to 1.2 m, rear fences are allowed up to 1.8 m.

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