Latest Update
NEXTGEN EXPERTS - INDUSTRY UPDATE
This edition covers the ATO's extended credit-card transition, practical workplace health risks, New Zealand training input and new aquatic and recovery-facility developments. Victorian application and consultation deadlines are approaching, and AS 3633 comments close on 21 October.
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL
ATO credit-card payments: transition extended to 30 June 2027
The Government has provided transitional funding so the ATO can continue accepting credit-card payments until 30 June 2027. Its 9 October announcement says credit-card payments through third parties will remain available after that date, alongside other payment methods. The Government has also asked the ATO to consult on support for taxpayers experiencing financial hardship.
This gives pool builders, service businesses and suppliers more time to adjust tax-payment arrangements. Our recommendation is to update cash-flow forecasts and check future payment costs with your accountant. The extension does not change tax due dates or establish a general right to defer payment.
Read the Government's original announcement
Safe Work Month: review health risks this week
Safe Work Australia's second campaign week focuses on physical and psychological health, including harmful substances, repetitive tasks, fatigue and high job demands. These are campaign resources, not a new legal requirement; Safe Work Australia develops national policy, while the relevant jurisdictions regulate workplaces.
For construction crews, technicians and pool shops, our recommendation is to choose one real task - such as chemical handling or moving equipment - and review its controls with workers. Record the improvement, responsible person and follow-up date.
Safe Work Australia: Week 2 resources
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month/week-2
Campaign dates
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month/weeklytopics
AS 3633: finalise water-quality comments REMINDER
Public comment on draft AS 3633, Residential and public pools - Water quality, closes 21 October 2026. Operators, technicians, suppliers and standards contributors should finalise specific comments with supporting evidence. This approaching deadline warrants a reminder; the draft is not a new mandatory requirement.
Standards Australia: original public notice https://www.linkedin.com/posts/standards-australia_an-australian-standard-designed-to-comprehensively-activity-7495634105963884544-aewP
Public-comment portal: https://comment.standards.org.au/
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Manual tasks and falls dominate small-business injury claims
WorkSafe ACT's 6 October alert reports that body-stressing injuries and falls, trips and slips accounted for more than half of accepted ACT small-business workers' compensation claims across 2023-24 and 2024-25. Construction accounted for 35% of all claims in the dataset. This is new regulator guidance drawing on earlier injury data, not a change to legislation.
For pool businesses, our recommendation is to review chemical-container handling, equipment loading and slippery or uneven access routes. Prioritise better work design and mechanical aids where practicable, consult workers and keep a record of the controls selected. Use the alert in supervisor and technician training.
WorkSafe ACT: original alert and supporting guidance https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-alerts/repetitive-and-strenuous-work-and-falls-continue-to-drive-workers-compensation-claims-in-act-small-businesses
NEW ZEALAND
Pool-building advisory group: industry input invited
On 7 October, SPASA and Vertical Horizons invited experienced New Zealand pool-building professionals to join a National Industry Advisory Group supporting implementation of the New Zealand Certificate in Swimming Pool Building (Level 4). Expressions of interest close 29 October 2026.
The invitation seeks input from both islands, different regions and construction methods on workplace training, assessment, equipment access and emerging practices. Builders and training specialists can contribute practical examples of competence and safe work. Participation does not automatically secure a trainer or assessor appointment. This is an industry programme invitation, not a new licensing obligation.
Read the organisers' announcement and expression-of-interest details https://www.spasa.co.nz/news/national-industry-advisory-group-new-zealand-certificate-in-swimming-pool-building
NEW SOUTH WALES
Hospitality wellness expands into floating cold therapy
Industry reporting on 10 October highlighted Pier One Sydney Harbour's partnership with Wellness Afloat. The hotel's original offer confirms a floating sauna and cold-therapy experience, including a mineral plunge. The exact launch date was not independently established.
The practical industry implication is a broader operating environment for recovery facilities, beyond a conventional pool site. Our recommendation for designers, suppliers and consultants is to define the water system, location and operating model before advising on treatment, maintenance, access or approvals. Review applicable public-health, planning and marine requirements for the actual installation; the offer itself is not evidence of regulatory approval or technical compliance.
Pier One: original description of the experience https://www.pieronesydneyharbour.com.au/wellness-afloat-at-pier-one/
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Payneham's redevelopment reaches its official opening
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters' 10 October announcement marks the official opening of the $64 million Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre. The facility combines a heated outdoor 50-metre pool, indoor 25-metre pool, warm-water pool, waterplay and accessible entry. Council identifies BlueFit as the day-to-day operator.
For the industry, this is a current example of mixed-use aquatic infrastructure serving recreation, swimming education and different access needs. Our recommendation is to make each water body's operating requirements explicit in handover, staff training and maintenance records. Suppliers and consultants should distinguish construction completion from ongoing operational performance. The opening introduces no new statewide technical rule.
Council: original opening announcement and facility details
https://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/article/view/2353
VICTORIA
Registration and high-voltage consultation deadlines
BPC applicants using completed PDF technical referee reports must submit their application by 5 pm Victorian time on 15 October, before the move to the online process. The listed forms include swimming pools and spas.
Energy Safe Victoria's draft Blue Book 2027 consultation closes 19 October. Relevant high-voltage and complex-installation specialists should review the proposed changes; the current edition remains 2022. These are approaching deadlines from the previous edition, not new general pool-building requirements.
BPC: technical referee-report transition https://www.bpc.vic.gov.au/builders/builder-classes/domestic-builder
Energy Safe Victoria: current Blue Book and consultation https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/industry-guidance/electrical/electrical-network-infrastructure/blue-book
QUEENSLAND
Mackay service-trades forum this Thursday
QBCC's official notice confirms the free Service Trades Council forum at Rydges Mackay Suites. Pool businesses involved in plumbing, drainage or the other listed service trades can register and bring specific compliance questions for regulators and council representatives.
QBCC: forum details and registration
https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/resources/event/mackay-service-trades-council-industry-forum
PRIORITY ACTIONS AND DEADLINES
This week - Australia: review one physical or psychological health risk with workers.
15 October - Victoria: PDF referee-report applications by 5 pm local time; Queensland: Mackay forum, 4-7 pm local time.
19 October - Victoria: draft Blue Book 2027 submissions close.
21 October - Australia: draft AS 3633 public comments close.
29 October - New Zealand: pool-building advisory-group expressions of interest close.
30 June 2027 - Australia: announced end of the extended ATO direct credit-card transition.
Need clarity or support?
NextGen Experts provides practical, independent advice on contracts, compliance, technical issues, disputes and business operations across the swimming pool and spa industry. If you need help understanding a change or deciding what to do next, please reach out.
www.nextgenexperts.com.au | info@nextgenexperts.com.au | 0449 065 841
Spiros Dassakis
Principal Consultant | NextGen Experts
www.nextgenexperts.com.au
