How much does a pool cost in Australia?
Published prices we found start at a few thousand dollars for a modular above-ground kit, and the highest concrete range in the two sources compared here tops out at $150,000. For the main inground types, the figures disagree by a wide margin. For a fibreglass pool, the hipages guides (January 2026) give ranges between $25,000 and $60,000, while Chris Samartzis, chief executive of Master Pool Builders Association Australia, put it at $60,000 to $100,000 in a Domain article headlined for 2024. For concrete, hipages gives an average of $50,000 to $75,000, which can reach $100,000 or more, against his $80,000 to $150,000. Neither set of figures is a quote.
Budget for fencing, approvals, paving, power and running costs too, and check which of them a quote includes. This guide sets out both published views by pool type, adds a ten-year running-cost line, and shows how the rules differ in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Pool cost at a glance: two published views by pool type
The table sets two published views side by side. The hipages figures come from its cost guides (main guide updated 21 January 2026, fibreglass guide 6 January 2026), which hipages says are based on national averages. The Domain figures come from an article headlined for 2024 (the copy we read shows no publication date): it attributes the fibreglass and concrete figures to Chris Samartzis, and gives the plunge figure in its own words.
| Pool type | hipages cost guides (January 2026) | Domain article (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Fibreglass | $25,000 to $50,000 (main guide); $25,000 to $45,000+ fully installed, and $35,000 to $60,000 including installation (fibreglass guide) | $60,000 to $100,000 (Chris Samartzis, Master Pool Builders Association Australia) |
| Concrete | Average $50,000 to $75,000, can cost $100,000 or more (main guide) | $80,000 to $150,000 (Chris Samartzis, Master Pool Builders Association Australia) |
| Vinyl liner (inground) | From around $10,000 (main guide) | No figure given for inground (see the note below the table) |
| Plunge | Inground around $15,000; above-ground from about $8,000 (main guide) | $20,000 to $30,000 for smaller plunge pools (Domain does not name a source for this figure or say whether it is inground or above-ground) |
| Above-ground | Modular kits from a few thousand dollars, more permanent concrete structures up to $50,000 or more; resin shells from $3,500 and fibreglass shells from $7,000, before kit and installation (main guide) | No separate view: Domain cites hipages for its above-ground prices |
| Fully tiled | No separate published figure found | No separate published figure found |
| Custom panel | No separate published figure found | No separate published figure found |
These published ranges disagree, and the difference is large. The bottom of the Samartzis fibreglass range, $60,000, is the top of the highest hipages range. The bottom of his concrete range, $80,000, sits above the hipages average of $50,000 to $75,000. Domain's plunge figure also starts above the hipages inground figure. For inground vinyl liner, a Zodiac guide puts complete installation at $20,000 to $70,000, with the average around $35,000, well above the hipages starting figure of around $10,000. None of these sources explains the gap, and the older figures are the higher ones, so age alone does not explain it.
Neither view is a quote. hipages says its prices are indicative and vary locally, and the Domain fibreglass and concrete figures come from one association chief executive, reported in that article. Until you have an itemised quote for your block, test your budget against both columns.
What the figures cover is not always clear either. The hipages fibreglass guide says the total project could rise to as much as $60,000 with extensive landscaping and top of the range accessories, its main guide counts additions such as fencing, decking and lighting among the factors in a concrete pool's cost, and its above-ground figures leave out excavation and concrete slabs. Domain does not say what its figures include. So read no column as a pool-only price or as a whole-of-project price, and ask each builder what is in the number.
In the hipages and Domain pages cited here, the only tile figure is an add-on, not the price of a fully tiled pool: in its discussion of concrete finishes, Domain says tiling is likely to add $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the pool's size.
What to check beyond the pool price: fencing, approvals, surrounds, power
The main hipages guide lists fencing, decking and council application costs as other costs to consider, and the fibreglass guide says landscaping around the pool will usually need doing, which can mean paving or decking. Electrical connection and site works belong in the budget too, so check which of them a quote covers. Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia all require a compliant barrier, and published 2026 guides put pool fencing at about $200 per metre for timber up to $600 per metre for frameless glass.
| Item | Published figure or rule | Example budget line |
|---|---|---|
| Pool fencing | $200 to $600 per linear metre (hipages, 2026) | 20 metres of fence: $4,000 to $12,000 |
| Paving | About $40 to $100 per square metre, by paver type | 30 square metres: $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Decking | $200 to $1,000 per square metre | Depends on timber or composite |
| Approval, registration, inspection | Varies by state and council (see the state table below) | Ask your builder what is included |
| Electrical connection | In Queensland, hard-wired equipment must be connected by a licensed electrician (Electrical Safety Office); check your own state's licensing rules | Get a written price |
| Slab, excavation, soil removal | Site dependent | Get a written price |
In these four states, a barrier is signed off by a certifier, registered practitioner or council rather than the owner, and who does it differs. In Queensland, the QBCC says your pool's building certifier must inspect and certify the fence before the pool is filled to 300 mm or more. In Victoria, the City of Greater Dandenong says the barrier inspection must be carried out by a registered building practitioner, such as a pool safety building inspector or building surveyor. In South Australia, the City of West Torrens says council must inspect the safety features of new pools, and in Western Australia, local governments are required to carry out barrier compliance inspections. The design itself follows Australian Standard AS 1926: the City of West Torrens in South Australia says barriers must be designed and built to it, and the City of Gosnells in Perth lists it among the rules barriers must meet.
See council permits and the pool fencing regulations guide.
Above-ground and plunge pools: the lower-cost entry points
In the hipages guides, above-ground pools are the cheapest entry point, and vinyl liner is called the cheapest inground option. The hipages 2026 guide lists above-ground resin shells from about $3,500 and above-ground fibreglass shells from about $7,000, with a kit (pump and filter) and professional installation adding a couple of thousand dollars. Smaller above-ground plunge pools start at around $8,000, and the same guide expects an inground plunge pool to cost around $15,000. Domain's article puts smaller plunge pools at $20,000 to $30,000 without saying which kind it means.
Lower prices come with trade-offs. hipages describes plunge pools as intended for relaxing rather than swimming. It also says an above-ground pool has an average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, though it can last a lot longer if kept well maintained, while inground pools can last 30 or even 50 years depending on the material.
Above-ground pools can also trim the fencing bill. In Queensland, the QBCC says the sides of an above-ground pool can form part of the barrier if they are non-climbable, but the access point, such as a ladder, must be surrounded by a compliant fence and gate. The City of Gosnells in Perth applies a similar rule where the walls are at least 1.2 metres high with no climbable projections. Even so, the main hipages guide says its above-ground figures leave out excavation and concrete slabs, and fencing and decking are extra. See our above-ground pools range and the plunge pool cost guide for more detail.
Inground fibreglass, fully tiled, custom panel and concrete compared
The main hipages guide says inground pools are, in general, the most expensive, mainly because of the extensive excavation they need. The table compares factors, not a winner: the right choice depends on your block, budget and how you swim.
| Type | Cost | Install time (guide) | Long-term note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibreglass | hipages: $25,000 to $60,000 across its guides. Samartzis (Domain, 2024): $60,000 to $100,000 | From a few days to three to six weeks, depending on the guide | Around 30 years with proper care, per the guide |
| Fully tiled | No separate published figure found | Ask for a schedule | Ask for an itemised quote |
| Custom panel | No separate published figure found | Ask for a schedule | Ask for an itemised quote |
| Concrete | hipages: average $50,000 to $75,000, can cost $100,000 or more. Samartzis (Domain, 2024): $80,000 to $150,000 | From a few weeks to around six months, depending on the guide | Longer build than fibreglass |
| Vinyl liner (inground) | hipages: from around $10,000. Zodiac: $20,000 to $70,000, average around $35,000 | Three to six weeks, per the main guide | Liner replaced every 10 years or so |
Classic Pools builds fibreglass, fully tiled and custom panel pools; concrete and vinyl are shown for comparison. See the full inground range.
What changes the price: size, site access, soil and slope
Site conditions such as access, soil, rock and slope change what a pool costs to install, so quotes only compare fairly when each builder prices the same job. Use this checklist:
- Size and shape: bigger costs more, and simple rectangles cost less than curved or unusual shapes.
- Site access: tight access to the backyard makes excavation harder.
- Soil and rock: soil conditions and rock change how hard the dig is.
- Slope: the slope of the ground changes the excavation and the surrounds.
- Slab or levelling: above-ground pools may need a concrete slab if the ground is not level.
- Equipment: filtration, lighting, cleaners and heating all add to the base price.
- Surrounds: paving, decking, landscaping and the fence.
Ask every builder for an itemised quote that shows which of these lines are included and which are left for you to arrange. A low headline price with half the list excluded is not a low price.
Does pool cost differ between Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth?
Neither the hipages guides nor the Domain article publish city prices: the main hipages guide's figures are national averages, and it says prices vary locally. What does differ by state is how approvals and barrier inspections work, what water top-ups cost, and how fast building input prices are rising.
| City (state) | Barrier and approval rule | Modelled yearly top-up water | Building input prices, year to Sept 2026 (ABS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (QLD) | Pools holding 300 mm or more: register with the QBCC, compliant fence | About $414 | Up 4.9% |
| Adelaide (SA) | Example: the City of West Torrens requires development approval for pools holding 300 mm or more and inspects within 10 business days; check your own council | Not reported | Up 4.2% |
| Melbourne (VIC) | Register with council within 30 days of final inspection and pay the council fees; barrier certificate every four years | About $178 | Up 3.4% |
| Perth (WA) | Barriers for water over 30 cm; council inspects at least every four years | About $367 | Up 3.6% |
Water figures: Compare the Market 2026 Swimming Pool Cost Index. Price rises: ABS input to house construction index, not pool prices. Local pages: Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth.
What a pool costs to run each year
Adding up the published figures below gives an indicative sum of roughly $1,100 to $2,700 a year before heating. It mixes states (Victorian pump and water costs at the low end, Western Australian pump and Queensland water costs at the high end), so treat it as a rough guide, not a published national range. The federal Energy Rating program says a pool pump uses nearly 18 per cent of the electricity in the average Australian home with a pool.
| Running cost | Per year | Over 10 years (prices held flat) |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance: chemicals, cleaning, filter servicing (hipages 2026) | $600 to $2,000 | $6,000 to $20,000 |
| Pump electricity, 8 hours a day (Compare the Market model, VIC and WA) | About $307 to $325 | About $3,070 to $3,250 |
| Evaporation top-ups (Compare the Market model, VIC to QLD) | About $178 to $414 | About $1,780 to $4,140 |
| Indicative sum before heating (mixed states) | About $1,085 to $2,739 | About $10,850 to $27,390 |
Heating swings most. The Compare the Market model assumed an electric heater holding 29 degrees every day of the year, which came to about $6,608 a year in Queensland and $17,487 in Victoria. Your bill depends on the heater type and how many months you heat, so ask for an estimate that matches how you swim. Energy Rating also advises the smallest suitable pump and comparing star ratings. Our pool running costs guide goes line by line.
If the number is too high: smaller or above-ground first
For a lot of families, the pull of a pool is simple: a swim after school, slow weekend afternoons at home, somewhere the kids and their friends want to be. That is worth getting a real number for before you rule it out.
If the total feels out of reach, look at a smaller or above-ground pool. In the hipages guides, an above-ground fibreglass shell with kit and installation comes to about $9,000 or more, and above-ground plunge pools, which hipages describes as intended for relaxing rather than swimming, start from about $8,000, both before slab and fencing.
The barrier cannot wait: in Queensland, the QBCC says you must have a compliant fence before you fill the pool with 300 mm or more of water, so check your own state's barrier rules before the pool is filled. Size affects running costs too: Energy Rating says a larger pump costs more to buy and to run, and the Compare the Market model works out top-up water from the pool's surface area. Building input costs rose about 30% in five years on the ABS index (130.0 in September quarter 2021 to 169.4 in September quarter 2026), so getting real numbers now beats guessing from old prices. Our cheapest way to get a pool guide compares the entry options.
Who a pool is not right for (yet)
A pool may not suit your household yet if:
- You would need to borrow the full amount with no buffer left for the fence, surrounds and the first year of running costs.
- A yearly running cost in the region of $1,100 to $2,700 before heating (the indicative sum above) would strain the household budget.
- You rent, or expect to sell within a couple of years. Do not count on getting the money back: in a 2023 Canstar article, a renovation expert said that for homes near a beach or public pools, the uptick in value from a pool is less certain.
- You cannot commit to keeping the barrier compliant. In Victoria, a barrier compliance certificate is due every four years; in WA, council inspects at least every four years.
This page is general information, not credit advice. ASIC says lenders and brokers generally need an Australian credit licence, so check that anyone offering finance holds one, and take personal advice from a licensed professional. Electrical work is also for licensed trades: Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says hard-wired equipment must be connected by a licensed electrician.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of an inground pool in Australia?
We found no single agreed average. The main hipages guide (January 2026) says inground pools start at around $35,000 and can go up to $100,000 or more, though it lists vinyl liner from around $10,000, against $20,000 to $70,000 in a Zodiac guide. In a Domain article headlined for 2024, Chris Samartzis of Master Pool Builders Association Australia put fibreglass at $60,000 to $100,000 and concrete at $80,000 to $150,000. The ranges disagree by a wide margin, and none is a quote.
How long does it take to build a pool?
Published guides vary. hipages puts a fibreglass install at anything from a few days to three to six weeks, and a concrete pool at a few weeks to around six months. Ask any builder for a written timeline that shows each stage, from approval through to the final barrier inspection.
Do I need council approval for a pool, and what does it cost?
Approval rules differ by state, and approval does not always come from council. In Queensland, the QBCC says you must get building approvals from your local council or a private certifier, and the pool must be registered with the QBCC. In South Australia, the City of West Torrens says new pools that can hold 300 mm of water or more need council development approval. Victorian owners must register pools with council and pay the relevant fees. Fees vary, so ask what your quote includes.
What is the lifespan of a fibreglass pool?
The hipages fibreglass cost guide says a fibreglass pool should last around 30 years if it is properly cared for, which is shorter than concrete. For comparison, the same guide says an inground vinyl liner usually needs replacing every 10 years or so, which adds a cost later.
Is a pool cheaper in Perth or Adelaide than in Brisbane or Melbourne?
Neither the hipages guides nor the Domain article publish city prices, and hipages says prices vary locally. Running costs do differ: modelled water top-ups cost about $414 a year in Queensland against $178 in Victoria. Building input prices rose faster in Brisbane (4.9%) and Adelaide (4.2%) than in Perth (3.6%) and Melbourne (3.4%) over the year to September 2026.
Can I get a firm price without a site visit?
Access, soil type, rock, slope and the length of fence needed can each change the cost. An indicative range by phone or email is useful for planning, but ask for an itemised, written quote after a site inspection before you commit.
Next steps
If you are still weighing up options, read the cheapest way to get a pool to compare entry-level choices side by side. When you are ready for real numbers on your own block, request an itemised quote that lists the pool, fence, approvals, surrounds and electrical work line by line.
Sources
- How much does a swimming pool cost? [2026], hipages, https://www.hipages.com.au/article/how_much_does_a_pool_cost, accessed 4 November 2026
- How much do fibreglass pools cost? [2026], hipages, https://www.hipages.com.au/article/how_much_does_a_fibreglass_pool_cost, accessed 4 November 2026
- How much will it cost to install a pool in 2024? (Sara Garrity, undated copy, headline refers to 2024), Domain, https://www.domain.com.au/advice/how-much-will-it-cost-to-install-a-pool-in-2024-1253447/, accessed 4 November 2026
- How Much Does A Swimming Pool Cost In 2025?, Zodiac, https://www.zodiac.com.au/pool-and-spa-guides/how-much-does-a-swimming-pool-cost, accessed 4 November 2026
- How Much Does Pool Fencing Cost? [2026], hipages, https://www.hipages.com.au/article/how_much_does_pool_fencing_cost, accessed 4 November 2026
- Swimming Pool Cost Index, Compare the Market, https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/energy/features/swimming-pool-cost-index/, accessed 4 November 2026
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- Swimming pools and spas, City of Greater Dandenong, https://greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/building/swimming-pools-and-spas, accessed 4 November 2026
- Residential swimming pools, City of West Torrens, https://www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/Building-and-Planning/Residential-swimming-pools, accessed 4 November 2026
- Local governments out of the gate on pool inspections, Building and Energy, Government of Western Australia, https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/local-governments-out-of-the-gate-pool-inspections, accessed 4 November 2026
- Pool security and inspections, City of Gosnells, https://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/Building-Development-and-Business/Building-Permits/Swimming-pools-and-spas/Pool-security-and-inspections, accessed 4 November 2026
- Producer Price Indexes, Australia, September quarter 2026, Australian Bureau of Statistics, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/producer-price-indexes-australia/latest-release, accessed 4 November 2026
- Don't do your own electrical work, Electrical Safety Office Queensland, https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy, accessed 4 November 2026
- Check if you need a credit licence, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, https://www.asic.gov.au/for-finance-professionals/credit-licensees/check-if-you-need-a-credit-licence, accessed 4 November 2026
- Home renovation loans (2023 comments from Cherie Barber), Canstar, https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/pool-cost, accessed 4 November 2026
