When temporary fencing is required
The obligation to keep a compliant barrier never pauses — not during construction, not while your new glass panel is on order, not mid-renovation. Temporary pool fencing bridges the gap whenever the permanent barrier is incomplete or compromised:
- New pool builds — required from the moment the excavation holds 300mm of water
- Fence repairs and replacements
- Broken glass panels or storm damage
- Landscaping that disturbs the barrier or ground levels
- Handover gaps — the pool's filled but the permanent fence isn't certified yet
What compliant temporary fencing looks like
Temporary doesn't mean lower standards. Hire-grade temporary pool fencing must still meet the barrier rules: 1200mm height, 100mm gaps, self-closing gate or overlapped non-gated access, weighted or braced bases that can't be pushed over by a child. Star pickets and orange mesh do not comply — and during a new build, the certifier or building surveyor will check the temporary barrier before the pool holds water.
Hiring vs buying
Hire runs roughly $150–$400 for a typical backyard perimeter for the first month, cheaper ongoing. Fencing hire companies deliver and install, which matters — a compliant panel leaned together non-compliantly is still a fail. For repairs measured in days, some fencing and glass companies include temporary panels in the job. Ask before booking.
During construction the responsibility for the temporary barrier is typically shared between builder and owner — but once practical completion passes, it's all yours. Don't let a builder demobilise the temporary fence before the permanent barrier is certified.