The cheapest way to get a pool in Australia: published price ranges compared
Leaving aside the cheapest portable pools, an above-ground pool has the lowest starting price we could source. hipages, in a guide updated in January 2026, says above-ground resin shells start from $3,500 and fibreglass shells from $7,000. That is the shell alone: a kit with pump and filter and professional installation add a couple of thousand, and excavating if needed, concrete slabs, fencing and decking are on top. After that, the rough order on hipages' starting prices is inground vinyl liner (from around $10,000, though other guides start at $20,000 or more), inground plunge, inground fibreglass and inground concrete, although the ranges overlap and publishers disagree. Portable pools sit outside that order: Savings.com.au said in 2024 that the cheapest options from Bunnings or Kmart can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, but that you generally get what you pay for. It gave no sizes, so check current retail prices. None of these figures is a total or a quote.
A small portable pool that cannot hold 300mm of water is a paddling pool, not a swimming pool. Once a pool can hold more than 300mm of water (300mm or more in Queensland), barrier laws apply, so budget for the fence, approvals and running costs as well as the pool's price tag. This guide sets out dated, published Australian price ranges and separate cost lines, so you can see what is realistic before you talk to a builder or decide to wait.
The short answer: budget options and published prices
The figures below are dated published estimates, not quotes, and the table does not cover every pool type. Read it as a rough order by hipages' published starting prices, not a ranking by total cost: the ranges overlap, and an above-ground concrete structure can cost more than an inground vinyl-liner or plunge pool. Domain's 2024 cost explainer quoted the Master Pool Builders Association Australia's chief executive on fibreglass and concrete pools and gave its own range for plunge pools, while hipages cost guides updated in January 2026 give lower figures for both fibreglass and concrete pools. Published guides from 2024 to 2026 vary widely, so treat any single range as a rough guide only: the Domain article also reported that installation costs rose about 30 per cent during the pandemic, and prices vary by site and state.
| Option | Published estimates (publisher and date) | Barrier needed? | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable pool that cannot hold 300mm | Savings.com.au 2024: the cheapest Bunnings or Kmart options from as little as a few hundred dollars, sizes not stated; check current retail prices | No, under the 300mm definitions | Paddling only; constant adult supervision |
| Portable pool that can hold more than 300mm | Savings.com.au's few-hundred-dollar figure gives no sizes; check current retail prices and add a compliant fence | Yes | Fence, and registration in some states |
| Above-ground pool | hipages, 21 January 2026: resin shells from $3,500 and fibreglass shells from $7,000, with a kit and professional installation adding a couple of thousand; modular kits from a few thousand; permanent concrete structures up to $50,000 or more. Domain 2024, citing hipages: basic fibreglass shell $3,500 to $7,000 without filters or landscaping; large vinyl-lined closer to $10,000 | Yes | Shell prices, not totals: excavating if needed, slab, fence and decking are extra |
| Above-ground plunge pool | hipages, 6 January 2026: $8,000 for a small fibreglass shell to $15,000 for prefabricated concrete, excluding installation, pumps, filters and landscaping, and $8,000 to $25,000 for above-ground fibreglass in its summary | Yes | Intended for relaxing rather than swimming, says hipages |
| Inground vinyl-liner pool | These figures disagree. hipages, 21 January 2026: from around $10,000 (its fibreglass guide: $10,000 including installation, without saying whether that is inground). Zodiac, page titled 2025: $20,000 to $70,000 for complete installation, with its average given as around $35,000 in one place and $20,000 to $35,000 in another. Savings.com.au 2024, citing Latham: starting around $50,000 | Yes | Less durable, which could mean high maintenance or replacement costs; liner changed every 10 years or so (hipages) or every 5 to 10 years (Zodiac) |
| Inground plunge pool | These figures disagree. hipages plunge guide, 6 January 2026: $25,000 for fibreglass to $50,000 or more for concrete, and $15,500 to $80,000 or more for inground concrete in its summary. hipages pool cost guide, 21 January 2026: around $15,000. Domain 2024: $20,000 to $30,000 | Yes | Smaller swim area; excavation risk |
| Fibreglass inground pool | Domain 2024, quoting the MPBA chief executive: $60,000 to $100,000. hipages, January 2026: $25,000 to $45,000 or more fully installed and $35,000 to $60,000 including installation in its fibreglass guide, and $25,000 to $50,000 in its pool cost guide | Yes | Crane access and site works |
| Concrete inground pool | Domain 2024, quoting the MPBA chief executive: $80,000 to $150,000. hipages, 21 January 2026: average $50,000 to $75,000, and can cost $100,000 or more | Yes | Highest published ranges; more flexible design |
Cost lines to add: fencing and site works
A compliant fence is an easy cost to leave out of a budget, because the state rules we checked require one once a pool can hold more than 300mm of water (300mm or more in Queensland), including portable and inflatable pools. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) says that if a portable pool or spa can hold at least 300mm of water, the pool safety laws apply, and owners must register it and keep a compliant fence. Western Australia's Building and Energy says private pools with water more than 300mm deep must have a compliant safety barrier. In Victoria, councils require pools able to hold more than 300mm to be registered, including relocatable pools left up for three or more days, and a New South Wales council notes that portable pools able to hold 300mm need a barrier. Inflatable and soft-sided portable pools 300mm deep or more must even carry a warning that pool fencing laws apply. The table shows the extra lines Domain reported in 2024 and hipages in 2026. Their fence figures are far apart, so get a fence quote for your own boundary.
| Cost line | Published figure (Domain 2024 unless stated) | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Glass pool fence | About $10,000 | Any pool that needs a barrier |
| Aluminium, timber or bamboo fence instead of glass | Could save close to $3,000 | Any pool that needs a barrier |
| Fence by the metre | hipages, 21 January 2026: $200 per metre for timber, up to $600 per linear metre for high-end glass | Any pool that needs a barrier |
| Fencing and timber decking together | hipages, 21 January 2026: an extra $4,000 or so if both are needed, depending on complexity and requirements | Above-ground pools |
| Excavation, machinery and council fees | Close to $9,000 | Inground pools |
| Concrete pavers (cheapest paving) | $40 to $65 per square metre | Any pool with surrounds |
| Tiling a concrete pool | $10,000 to $20,000 | Concrete pools |
Cheap to buy vs cheap to run: compare running costs too
A cheap pool is only a false economy if its running costs or short life wipe out the saving, so compare the yearly bill and the written warranty, not just the sticker price. Energy Rating, the Australian Government's appliance efficiency program, says a pool pump uses nearly 18 per cent of the electricity in the average Australian home with a pool, and that the larger the pump, the greater the upfront and running costs. Energy Rating also recommends the smallest size pump suitable for your pool, so a smaller pool can often run on a smaller pump. Canstar Blue's pool pump guide, posted in November 2024, put average pump running costs at 16c to 51c an hour, based on an electricity rate of 24.9c per kWh. If your tariff is higher than that, expect a higher hourly cost.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says there are no set rules for how long a product should last under the consumer guarantees, and that warranties are extra promises on top of them. So ask every supplier for the structure, liner or surface, and equipment warranties in writing.
| Factor | Why it matters over time | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Pump size and type | Single-speed pumps are usually cheapest to buy but most expensive to run | Pump size, star rating and speed type |
| Vinyl liner | hipages says liners deteriorate more quickly than fibreglass or concrete, and need changing every 10 years or so | Liner replacement cost and liner warranty |
| Water volume | The typical Australian pool holds 40,000 to 50,000 litres | Volume of each model you are comparing |
| Warranty terms | Covers repairs you would otherwise fund | Separate terms for structure, surface and equipment |
Inground on a budget: vinyl liner and plunge pools
hipages calls a vinyl-liner pool the cheapest inground pool option, with costs starting from around $10,000 in its guide updated 21 January 2026. The same guide opens by saying an inground pool starts at around $35,000, and other guides put vinyl liner well above $10,000: Zodiac, in a page titled 2025, gives $20,000 to $70,000 for complete installation, and Savings.com.au, citing Latham in 2024, a start of around $50,000. The trade-off is durability. The hipages guide says vinyl liners are far less durable than fibreglass or concrete and deteriorate more quickly, so you could be looking at high maintenance or replacement costs that can end up just as expensive as other pool options. The hipages fibreglass guide adds that the liner will need to be changed every 10 years or so.
Published inground plunge figures disagree, and we cannot tell you which is right for your site. The hipages plunge guide, updated 6 January 2026, says $25,000 for a high-quality fibreglass plunge pool to $50,000 or more for concrete, and its summary lists $15,500 to $80,000 or more for an inground concrete plunge pool. The hipages pool cost guide, updated 21 January 2026, says around $15,000. The hipages fibreglass guide, updated 6 January 2026, lists $8,000 to $15,000 for a small plunge pool including installation, without saying whether that is inground. Domain's 2024 explainer called smaller plunge pools a more cost-effective option, at $20,000 to $30,000. hipages also describes plunge pools as intended for relaxing rather than swimming, so check the size suits how you plan to use it.
For a full-size fibreglass pool, the Master Pool Builders Association Australia's chief executive, quoted by Domain in 2024, gave $60,000 to $100,000, and a hipages guide updated on 6 January 2026 gave two ranges: $25,000 to $45,000 or more fully installed, and $35,000 to $60,000 including installation in its comparison of pool types. The same guide says the total could rise to as much as $60,000 with extensive landscaping and top of the range accessories. Ranges this far apart are a good reason to get a quote for your own site before you rule a pool in or out. Domain also reported that excavation, machinery and council fees for an inground pool are likely to come close to $9,000, depending on location and the site.
Digging is where budgets slip. A pool builder quoted in the same article advised keeping a buffer because excavation can uncover pipes, tanks or rock. The QBCC says a pool contract should include provisions for unforeseen events, such as finding rock or wet weather, and that a certifier may require an engineer's structural report on a difficult site. Structural design is a job for the engineer and certifier, not a homeowner. If a plunge pool is still out of reach, Domain's 2024 explainer said above-ground pools can be cheaper for those who want to save money and time. Compare both in the Versace plunge pool range and the above-ground pools pages.
Staged options: start with the pool and fence, add surrounds later
Staging a pool means paying for what the law and safety need first, then adding the comfort items as your budget allows. In Queensland, the QBCC says you must have a compliant fence before you fill a pool with 300mm or more of water, although a temporary fence may be relied on for up to 3 months if the building certifier has inspected it and given approval. A practical order looks like this:
- Stage one: the pool, filtration equipment, approvals and a compliant barrier.
- Choose the fence material on cost: Domain's 2024 figures put aluminium, timber or bamboo close to $3,000 below glass.
- Stage two: paving, starting with concrete pavers, which Domain listed as the cheapest at $40 to $65 per square metre.
- Stage three: landscaping, lighting and heating.
- Keep the barrier clear while you wait: the QBCC says nothing movable should sit within 900mm of the outside of the pool fence.
- Ask for each stage priced separately so you can see what stage one alone costs.
If you are thinking about borrowing, this guide is general information only, not credit advice. ASIC says a credit licence is generally needed to engage in credit activities, and its Moneysmart website provides free calculators and guidance.
If what you really want is more time outdoors with your family, a staged plan may be a way to start swimming sooner without waiting until every extra is paid for.
When a pool is not the right buy yet
A pool is not the right buy yet if the budget covers the pool but not the fence, the running costs or a buffer for surprises. Being honest about that now saves a half-finished project later. Consider waiting, or choosing a shallow portable pool with active adult supervision, if any of these apply:
- Your budget covers the pool itself but not a compliant barrier, approvals and equipment.
- Your household power bill has no room for a pump that can use nearly 18 per cent of a pool home's electricity.
- You would need to borrow without first comparing the total cost of the loan.
- You have no buffer for rock, pipes or other excavation surprises on an inground build.
- You rent. In Queensland the QBCC places the registration and barrier duties on the property owner, so our advice is to talk to the owner and get their agreement in writing before you buy.
- You cannot commit to maintaining the fence and keeping gates shut, which the QBCC lists as ongoing owner duties.
None of this rules a pool out for good. Getting a real quote now tells you how far off you are, and whether a smaller pool closes the gap.
How to get a real number for your backyard
The only reliable number is a written, itemised quote for your own site, because access, soil and fencing change the total. The first five steps follow the QBCC's advice for Queensland pool buyers, and the last comes from a builder quoted by Domain:
- Ask several pool builders to inspect your site, give a written quote and provide warranty details.
- Check each builder's licence and licence history before you sign.
- Ask whether the quote includes fencing, pool surrounds and landscaping, and list filtration equipment, size and depth.
- Check the contract covers unforeseen events such as rock or wet weather.
- In Queensland, check that home warranty insurance is included for work over $3,300, and that the deposit is no more than 10 per cent for work up to $20,000 or 5 per cent for $20,000 or more.
- Allow time: a builder quoted by Domain said approvals can take weeks to months.
Two jobs need a qualified professional. Energy Safe Victoria says doing unqualified electrical work is illegal, so pump and lighting wiring is for a licensed electrician. In Queensland, the certifier must inspect and certify the fence of a new pool before it is filled, and the QBCC recommends a licensed pool safety inspector to confirm a pool is compliant. Elsewhere, check who signs off in your state. Classic Pools has showrooms in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. Whichever builder you talk to, ask for the pool, equipment, fence and site works as separate lines.
Frequently asked questions
Do Kmart or Bunnings pools need a pool fence?
It depends on how much water the pool can hold, not where you bought it. Barrier laws generally apply once a portable or inflatable pool can hold more than 300mm of water (300mm or more in Queensland). The QBCC says Queensland's pool safety laws apply to portable pools that can hold at least 300mm, and inflatable and soft-sided portable pools 300mm deep or more must carry a warning that fencing laws apply. Check the pool's capacity, not just how high you fill it, and ask your council about local requirements.
What is the most expensive part of putting in a pool?
It depends on the pool. For a fibreglass or concrete inground pool, the pool itself usually costs more than any single extra: published estimates for fibreglass include $25,000 to $45,000 or more fully installed and $35,000 to $60,000 including installation (both hipages, January 2026), and $60,000 to $100,000 (Domain, 2024). On a budget above-ground pool the fence can cost as much as the shell or more: hipages said in January 2026 that resin shells start from $3,500 and fibreglass shells from $7,000, and Domain reported in 2024 that a glass fence cost about $10,000, with aluminium, timber or bamboo saving close to $3,000. hipages puts fencing at $200 to $600 per metre. Ask for every line itemised.
Is there a cheaper time of year to buy a pool?
We have not found published Australian data showing a reliably cheaper season to buy a pool, so we would not plan around one. What you can control is timing: a builder quoted by Domain in 2024 said approvals can take weeks to months, so getting quotes early gives you time to compare builders, sort the fence and stage the surrounds without rushing a decision before summer.
Can I install a pool myself to save money?
Possibly, in some states, but you take on the job of running the build, and more of the risk, and we have not found a published figure for what it saves. In Queensland, the QBCC lists building a residential swimming pool as work an owner-builder can do. You need a permit before starting if the project is valued at more than $11,000, most people must do a course first, and you still need building approval from the council or a private certifier. The trade-offs: no access to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, generally one permit every 6 years, a notification on your property title, and telling buyers in writing if you sell within 6 years. In Western Australia, the owner can apply for a pool's building permit. WA's owner-builder page says incidental structures such as swimming pools are exempt from the need for occupational licensing, so owner-builder approval may not apply to a pool-only job, but a building permit can still be required. Check with your local government permit authority, especially if the pool is part of a larger project. Plumbing, drainage, gas and electrical work stay licensed: the QBCC bars owner-builders from plumbing, draining and gas fitting unless they hold the licence, WA names electricians and plumbers as licensed trades required by law, and regulators in Queensland and WA say unlicensed electrical work is illegal. In other states, check with your regulator first.
Is a cheap pool cheaper to run?
Sometimes, but there are two sides to it. A smaller pump can cost less: Energy Rating says larger pumps cost more to buy and run, and recommends the smallest size pump suitable for your pool, so a smaller pool can often run on a smaller pump. Canstar Blue's November 2024 guide put pump running costs at 16c to 51c an hour, based on electricity at 24.9c per kWh, so a higher tariff means a higher cost. On the other side, cheap vinyl liners can mean higher costs later: hipages says they deteriorate more quickly, which could mean high maintenance or replacement costs that end up just as expensive as other pool options. Compare star ratings and liner replacement costs before you buy.
Where can I compare pool options in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth?
Classic Pools builds above-ground and inground pools nationally, with showrooms in Loganlea (Brisbane), Holden Hill (Adelaide), Springvale (Melbourne) and Perth. Ask any builder for an itemised quote to see what fits your budget. The rules differ by state: Queensland pools are registered with the QBCC, Victorian pools with the council, and Western Australia generally requires a building permit for a private pool. In South Australia, check barrier requirements with your local council before you buy.
Next steps
Before you commit, see what a pool costs to keep each year in our guide to pool running costs, and compare the full price picture in how much a pool costs. If space is tight, read about the smallest above-ground pool options, or browse the Classic Majestic pool range. When you are ready for a real number, request a quote for your backyard. A quote for your own site helps you judge whether a pool fits your budget now or later.
Sources
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