CPR Signs & Pool Safety Signs — QLD Requirements
Queensland law requires a compliant CPR sign to be displayed near every regulated swimming pool. The sign must meet specific size, content, and placement requirements — and it’s one of the items checked during every pool safety inspection.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure your signage is compliant.
The CPR Sign Requirement
Every pool in QLD must display a prescribed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign adopted by the Australian Resuscitation Council. This requirement has applied since 30 November 2015 — or earlier if the property was sold or leased before that date, or if it’s a shared pool.
CPR Sign Placement Requirements
The sign must be:
- Attached to the safety barrier for the pool, or displayed near the pool
- Easily visible to a person near the pool
This means it can’t be hidden behind a plant, tucked around the corner, or placed so low that it’s hard to read.
CPR Sign Size Requirements
The sign must be at least 300mm × 300mm in size (30cm × 30cm). This requirement comes from the Building Regulation 2006, paragraph 13A(2)(b).
What Must the Sign Show?
The content requirements depend on when your pool was constructed:
Pools Constructed Before 1 December 2009
The sign must show at least enough information about first aid procedures to enable anyone reading it to perform expired air resuscitation (EAR) or CPR on an infant or young child.
Pools Constructed On or After 1 December 2009
The sign must show the full CPR procedures in accordance with Guideline 7 published by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). This includes the current DRSABCD protocol.
Important Note About DRSABCD-Only Signs
A sign that only shows the DRSABCD acronym does not comply. The sign must also provide information on how to act in an emergency — including calling 000 for an ambulance. The DRSABCD mnemonic alone doesn’t tell a bystander to call for emergency services.
Material Requirements
The sign must be:
- Durable and weatherproof — it’s outside near water, so it needs to withstand the elements
Where to Get a Compliant CPR Sign
Compliant CPR signs can be purchased from:
- Most pool shops
- The Queensland Ambulance Service
- Hardware stores (Bunnings stocks them)
They typically cost $15–$30. It’s one of the cheapest compliance items to fix.
Construction Warning Signs
Separate from the CPR sign, QLD Building Regulations also require a construction warning sign when a pool is being built. This sign must:
- State: “Danger. Swimming pool under construction. Keep children out.”
- Be placed within 1.5 metres of the road frontage
- Be mounted with the bottom at least 300mm above ground
- Be visible from the road
- Have lettering at least 50mm high in bold
This is required during construction only, not ongoing.
Failed Your Inspection Over Signage?
A missing or non-compliant CPR sign is a simple fix — but it still results in a Non-Compliance Notice and a re-inspection. If you’ve been notified your sign doesn’t comply, replace it before booking your re-inspection.
Budget Pool Safety Inspections services Brisbane South Side and Logan. Book your inspection today and our licensed inspectors will check all signage requirements as part of a thorough assessment.