Yes. Individuals licensed as swimming pool builders under the Home Building Act 1989 are covered by the same CPD requirement as builders: 12 points a year, earned in the 12 months before licence renewal, on at least one of eight approved topic areas, with renewal refused if the points are not there. The NSW Government page sets the rules out for builders and swimming pool builders together, and there is no pool-specific variation.
The short version
Same scheme as builders. 12 points a year. 1 point per hour for interactive learning from any provider with industry expertise; 2 per hour for assessed RTO or university learning. Eight topics, any mix. Up to 11 surplus points carry forward. Records kept for three renewal periods. Audited by Building Commission NSW.
Who exactly is covered
Individuals who hold a swimming pool builder contractor licence or a qualified supervisor certificate in that class. If you are the nominated supervisor on a company’s pool building licence, the requirement is yours personally. If you hold a general builder licence as well, one set of 12 points covers both: the requirement is per person, not per licence.
Which of the eight topics fit pool work
Any of the eight is compliant, and there is no rule requiring a spread. But CPD is more useful when it matches the work, and for pool and spa construction the natural fits are:
- Technical issues: waterproofing, tiling and concrete are all NSW’s own examples for this topic, and they are the pool builder’s daily work. Membrane failure at the coping and hydrostatic issues in reactive soils are the defects that come back.
- Safety: excavation, work near services, working at height around decks and the WHS duties you hold as the person conducting the business. NSW lists hazardous materials and roof work as examples; the principles carry across.
- Compliance: NCC application, the Home Building Act obligations that attach to pool contracts, and the site establishment and water management conditions councils attach to approvals.
- Contracts and dispute resolution: pool contracts are a frequent source of complaints, usually over variations, delays and finish quality. The contract and dispute topics are where those are prevented.
- Sustainability: water management is one of NSW’s named examples, and BASIX applies to pools attached to new dwellings.
How the points are earned
Interactive learning on an approved topic, with identifiable learning outcomes, from a provider with industry expertise, earns 1 point per hour, online or face to face, and can be delivered by any training provider. Assessed learning tied to a National Training Package or a university qualification, delivered by an RTO or university, earns 2 points per hour. Employing an apprentice or trainee, or a partner learning on the business’s behalf, is worth 1 to 2 points, capped at 4 a year in total. Industry association events count on the same basis as courses: judge the activity, not the badge.
The same traps as everyone else
- Long licences. A three-year licence needs 12 points in each year, counted to the anniversary of the renewal date. Nothing is lodged in between, so the gap is invisible until renewal.
- Carry-forward. Only 11 surplus points carry, and only for a year. See the carry-forward guide.
- Records. Self-recorded, audited, kept for three renewal periods. The audit guide lists what a record of attendance needs to carry.
- Approved providers. There is no register of them, for pool builders or anyone else. Why that is.
Where to start
Every PointCPD course is filed under one of the eight topics, banks at least 2 points, and issues a certificate carrying the topic, duration, assessment and points for your diary. Browse by topic, or read the complete NSW CPD guide for the full set of rules.
Questions builders ask
Are the CPD rules different for pool builders and general builders?
No. The NSW Government sets out one scheme for builders and swimming pool builders together: 12 points a year in the 12 months before renewal, the same rates, the same eight topics, the same 11-point carry-forward and the same record-keeping.
Does pool-specific training count, or does it have to be general building content?
Any activity counts if it meets the description: interactive, on one of the eight approved topics, with identifiable outcomes, from a provider with industry expertise. Pool-specific content on waterproofing, safety barriers, concrete or contracts fits those topics as well as house-building content does.
I hold both a builder licence and a swimming pool builder licence. Do I need 24 points?
No. The requirement attaches to you as an individual. Twelve points covers every builder-type licence you hold.
Sources: NSW Government, Continuing professional development for builders and swimming pool builders; Home Building Act 1989 (NSW).