Glass pool fence requirements in Queensland

These are the glass-fence measurements the QBCC calls out on its pool fences page. They are not the whole standard.

The numbers the QBCC lists

What	What the QBCC page says
Fence height	A minimum of 1200mm, measured from finished ground level.
Gap under the barrier	100mm or less, including at stairways, where gaps are a common problem.
Stairs	Measure stair-side panels from the tread nosing, at right angles, so the fence is at least 1200mm high.
Ledges on the outside	No accessible ledge greater than 10mm on the outside of the barrier.
Glass condition	Glass panels should be reinforced and show no signs of fracture.
Ground movement	Panels can shift or drop when the ground moves, which can reduce the legal height. Check them.

Side view of a glass pool fence showing 1200mm minimum height from finished ground level, a gap under the barrier of 100mm or less, and no accessible ledge over 10mm on the outside — The three measurements the QBCC page highlights for glass fences. Not to scale.

What this page does not cover

The QBCC page covers more than glass, and the standard covers more than the QBCC page. Gates, latches, climbable objects near the fence and non-climbable zones are all part of the standard. This page does not give those measurements, because they were not checked against the full standard. Ask a licensed pool safety inspector, or read the standard through the QBCC.

Why stairs and slopes catch people out

On a sloping block or beside steps, the ground level changes along the fence line. The QBCC says to measure stair-side panels from the tread nosing so the fence stays at least 1200mm high, and to watch the gap under the barrier at the stairs. A fence that was fine when installed can fall short later if the ground settles or a panel drops.

Glass pool fence running beside timber steps and a deck next to a pool — Glass fencing beside steps. On stairs, the QBCC says to measure from the tread nosing.

Check your own fence

Measure the height from finished ground level at the lowest point along the fence.
Check the gap under each panel, especially near steps.
Look for chips, cracks or edge damage in the glass.
Check that nothing on the outside, such as a ledge, planter edge or fixing, gives a foothold.

An inspector decides whether the pool passes. See who checks a Queensland pool fence.

Common questions

How high must a glass pool fence be in Queensland?

The QBCC pool fences page gives a minimum fence height of 1200mm, measured from finished ground level.

How big can the gap under a glass pool fence be?

The QBCC says the gap under the barrier should be 100mm or less, including at stairways.

Can a glass pool fence have a ledge on the outside?

The QBCC says there should be no accessible ledge greater than 10mm on the outside of the barrier.

Can glass pool fence panels move over time?

Yes. The QBCC notes that panels can shift or drop when the ground moves, which can reduce the legal height, so it says to check them.

General information only. These figures come from one QBCC page, checked on 31 October 2026. They are not the full standard and not a compliance check of your pool.