Please read the below information to help clarify the current government restrictions around pool service and maintenance activity in metropolitan Melbourne.
Sector Guidance for Construction Businesses Within Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria
Can pool maintenance businesses operate under the Second Step?
Pool maintenance for private homes is only able to occur for essential or urgent repairs. The worker requires a Permitted Worker Permit.
What constitutes an emergency or safety reason for repairs?
Emergency repairs are urgent repairs and maintenance which must be undertaken to ensure safe and secure use and occupancy of properties and work premises, fulfil make good obligations, prevent individuals (including workers) from injury, to prevent property damage or damage to goods, or for urgent repair to an essential service (for example for example fixing a roof or restoring an electricity connection). If you need to have a tradesperson over, maintain your distance, wear a face covering and minimise physical contact through contactless payment or another non-cash method.
As advised to SPASAVIC by email from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions on 1 October 2020:
"In the recently published Reopening Roadmap, pool cleaning and maintenance has been classified as 'Repairs, maintenance and cleaning' and is only permitted to operate for emergency and safety reasons, including essential maintenance, in Metropolitan Melbourne's Second Step of reopening. Essential maintenance refers to work that if not performed, would lead to the emergence of substantial safety hazards or risk to the community; this applies to both public and private areas."
The Department of Health and Human Services - Homes and property: Metropolitan Melbourne Second Step:
Can maintenance occur under current restrictions?
Yes. Maintenance and repair activities for inhabited properties can be completed but only if it is urgent and essential. People coming into your home must wear a face mask. You should always keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and the tradesperson.
Landscaping and gardening services that can be conducted entirely outside safely, contact-free and by one person operating alone at all times, such as basic landscaping, lawn mowing, tree lopping and gutter cleaning are permitted, subject to restrictions.
Work at uninhabited properties must be undertaken in accordance with the construction sector guidance. Workers should abide by their employers’ COVIDSafe plans when performing emergency repair work.
What is considered an emergency repair for a tradesperson to enter my home?
Emergency repairs or urgent and essential repairs are those which must be undertaken to keep members of the household safe, to prevent members of the household from injury, to prevent property damage or damage to goods, or for urgent repair to an essential service (for example a water connection or internet service).
If you need to have a tradesperson enter your home, maintain your distance, wear a face mask and minimise physical contact by paying with a direct bank transfer or contactless payment.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses for:
- Refusing or failing to comply with the emergency directions
- Refusing or failing to comply with a public health risk direction
- Refusing or failing to comply with the Public Health Directions to provide information
Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $4,957 for people who live in metropolitan Melbourne who are found to be in regional Victoria without a lawful reason. This fine will also be issued if you gather outdoors in groups larger than five people, you have visitors to your home without a lawful reason, or you visit someone in their home without a lawful reason.
Fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses are possible through the court system. Individuals who do not wear a face mask and do not have a lawful reason can be fined $200.
