Pool Equipment Upgrades on the Sunshine Coast

Replacing a pump, filter, heater or light falls under the same pool licence classes as a resurface, but the electrical side changed on 1 April 2025. Water equipment is now prescribed electrical equipment, which means pool lights and pumps are subject to the same requirements as other electrical equipment, and only licensed electricians can carry out electrical work on them.

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What pool equipment upgrades on the Sunshine Coast actually involves

Maintenance and general repair includes the removal, replacement or addition of accessories or equipment, and QBCC's own class page lists installing pool heating systems as an example. Installing and commissioning solar heating systems for swimming pools is named under QBCC's separate irrigation licence.

Electrical work

The Electrical Safety Office says a licensed electrician must install and maintain pool wiring and electrical equipment, and its requirements include bonding metal work in the pool area, safety switch protection and measures to keep moisture out of electrical equipment. Installing, connecting or altering equipotential bonding conductors is electrical work too, and it is an offence for anyone other than a suitably licensed person to do it. Do-it-yourself electrical work is unlicensed electrical work, which is illegal, with penalties of up to A$40,000 for individuals.

Gloved hands tightening a grey pipe union between a black pool pump and a beige cartridge filter on a concrete pad, with a pool and a timber fence behind — pool equipment upgrade, Sunshine Coast. Illustrative example.

Plumbing, drainage and gas

Unlike the pool licence classes, plumbing and drainage work and gas fitting need a QBCC licence at any value, and whoever oversees or does the work needs an occupational licence regardless of the value of the work. Gas fitting licences for a pool heater are issued by the Chief Gas Examiner and Resources Safety and Health Queensland. The concrete resurfacing page covers the pool licence classes.

Ask who is doing the electrical connection and the plumbing: the provider can hold the pool licence and still need a licensed electrician for the pump.

Pool renovation costs and rules check