This guide collects what Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council pages say about children around water, at council pools, home pools and the beach. It repeats the pages’ own wording and does not replace their full text or any lifesaving course. Where a page shows a last-updated date, the date is given; fines and penalties are not covered here.
Why the pages emphasise supervision
The Queensland Government’s home safety page, last updated 18 December 2025, says drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Queensland children younger than 5 years old. An older water safety page, last updated 8 March 2017, words it differently, saying drowning is the leading cause of death in Queensland for children aged 1-4 years. A government page for foster and kinship carers, last updated 17 October 2019, adds that drownings can occur in places other than the backyard swimming pool, including aquatic centres and water parks, dams, rivers, creeks, spas and the beach.
What the pages mean by active supervision
The carers’ page, last updated 17 October 2019, says children need to be continuously and actively supervised when they are in, on or around the water. It says children under 5, and older children who cannot swim, need to be within, and stay within, arm’s length of an adult who is actively supervising them. It also says that if you leave the pool area, take the child with you. For groups, the page says to arrange designated adult supervisors so that at least 1 adult has eyes on children at all times.
At Brisbane City Council pools
At 10 November 2026, the Council’s “Find pools and water parks” page, which shows no last-updated date, says to actively supervise children around water and to take extra care with a child 14 years of age or younger, or someone who is not a strong swimmer. At 10 November 2026, the same Council page says Council endorses Royal Life Saving Australia’s Keep Watch at Public Pools program. The page then lists age guidelines under that program. At 10 November 2026, per that page, the guideline for children 5 years and under and non-swimmers is to always be in the water and within arm’s reach. At 10 November 2026, per the same page, the guideline for 6-10 year olds and weak swimmers is to stay close, constantly supervise, and be prepared to get into the water. At 10 November 2026, per the same page, the guideline for 11-14 year olds is to maintain visual contact and regularly physically check on the child. At 10 November 2026, the page also says never to leave your child alone in the water or in the care of an older child.
The Council’s separate conditions of entry, which also show no last-updated date, state at 10 November 2026 that children 5 years and under must be accompanied and closely supervised, within arm’s reach, by a person 18 years and over who is prepared to swim. At 10 November 2026, the conditions add that children 14 years and under are not permitted entry unless under the active supervision of a person 18 years or older. At 10 November 2026, the conditions state that parents, guardians and carers remain responsible for supervising children in their care, and that lifeguard supervision does not replace this responsibility. For pool locations and cost, see Free and Low-Cost Public Pools in Brisbane.
Home pools: fences, registration and signs
The Queensland Government’s pool fences and barriers page, last updated 21 November 2019 and last reviewed 27 June 2024, says a pool must have a pool fence or barrier, and that the barrier must be well maintained at all times. At 10 November 2026, the same page (last updated 21 November 2019, last reviewed 27 June 2024) says all pool fences and barriers must comply with Queensland Development Code MP 3.4, Swimming pool barriers. At 10 November 2026, it also says tenants renting a property with a pool must keep the pool gate closed and ensure there are no objects near the pool area that would allow children to access the pool.
At 10 November 2026, the same page (last updated 21 November 2019, last reviewed 27 June 2024) lists common reasons barriers fail, including gates that are not self-closing and self-latching from all points, and a barrier height of less than 1200mm. At 10 November 2026, it also lists windows that can be opened by more than 100mm into the pool area and climbable objects placed near the barrier. A “Tips for a safe pool” page, last updated 21 June 2022, says a pool barrier must be at least 1200mm in height above the ground level, and says a non-compliant gate can be adjusted to swing outwards away from the pool area.
The registration page, last updated 2 July 2026, says all residential pools and outdoor spas in Queensland must be registered with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). At 10 November 2026, the registration page (last updated 2 July 2026) also says a portable wading pool does not need registering if it meets all of these criteria: a fill depth of no more than 300mm, a volume of no more than 2,000L and no filtration system. The CPR signs page, last updated 10 July 2026, says that if you have a pool, you must display a CPR sign prominently.
At the beach
The Queensland Government’s beach safety page, last updated 6 January 2021, says it is important to swim between the red-and-yellow flags, which it describes as the part of the beach patrolled by lifesavers and assessed as the safest place to swim. At 10 November 2026, the page (last updated 6 January 2021) says in its table of flags that a red flag means the beach is closed and not to enter the water. At 10 November 2026, the same table (page last updated 6 January 2021) says a red-and-white quartered flag means emergency evacuation, so leave the water immediately. At 10 November 2026, for rips, the page (last updated 6 January 2021) says to stay calm and not to try to swim against the current. It points readers to the Surf Life Saving Queensland website for more beach safety information. For where families go, see Kid-Friendly Beaches Near Brisbane, and for general conditions see Brisbane Outdoor Safety: Heat, Storms and Sun.
Frequently asked questions
What does Brisbane City Council say about supervising young children at its pools?
At 10 November 2026, the Council’s conditions of entry say children 5 years and under must be accompanied and closely supervised, within arm’s reach, by a person 18 years and over who is prepared to swim.
Does a lifeguard take over supervision?
The Council’s conditions of entry, which show no last-updated date, say at 10 November 2026 that parents, guardians and carers remain responsible for supervising children in their care and that lifeguard supervision does not replace this responsibility.
Do home pools need to be registered in Queensland?
At 10 November 2026, the Queensland Government registration page, last updated 2 July 2026, says all residential pools and outdoor spas in Queensland must be registered with the QBCC, with an exemption for portable wading pools that meet all of its listed criteria.
Where should children swim at the beach?
At 10 November 2026, the Queensland Government beach safety page, last updated 6 January 2021, says to swim between the red-and-yellow flags, the part of the beach patrolled by lifesavers.
