A partial inground pool (also called a semi-inground pool) sits partly in the ground and partly above it. It's one of the most practical installation options available in Australia, especially if your block is sloped, has rocky soil, or doesn't suit a full excavation.
And yet, it's one of the most misunderstood. Some homeowners assume a semi-inground pool is just a cheap above-ground pool buried a few feet. Others think it's a compromise, something you settle for when you can't afford a "real" pool. Neither is true.
Here's what a partial inground pool actually is, what it costs, and why it's worth considering for your backyard.
A semi-inground pool is any pool installed with part of its structure below ground and part above. How much sits above ground depends on your site and your design preference. Some are sunk with just 300mm to 500mm exposed. Others are raised a metre or more, with the exposed walls becoming a deliberate design feature.
In Australia, there are two broad categories:
Above-ground pool kits partially buried: These are standard above-ground pools (steel wall, vinyl liner) sunk into the ground to look more permanent. They're the cheaper option ($7,000 to $20,000), but they're not built to inground structural standards. Typical lifespan is 7 to 15 years, and design options are limited to round or oval shapes.
Inground-quality pools installed semi-recessed: These are concrete (custom or precast), fibreglass, or composite pools built to full inground standards but intentionally positioned with part of the structure above ground. The exposed walls are clad in stone, timber, tile, or rendered block. These are permanent, durable structures designed to last 25 to 50+ years.
Both are technically semi-inground pools, but they're very different products. The rest of this article focuses on the inground-quality version.
This is the number one reason Australian home owners go semi-inground. Sloping blocks, rocky ground, high water tables, and sites with limited machine access all make digging a full-depth hole expensive and complicated. A semi-inground installation reduces how deep you need to excavate, which can save thousands.
On a sloping block, a semi-inground pool works with the natural grade. The uphill side sits at ground level while the downhill side is raised, with a retaining wall or cladding creating a finished look. This is far more cost-effective than cutting and filling an entire slope to create a level site for a fully inground pool.