Stairlift and Lifting Platform Providers in Australia

Access Every Level of Your Home Safely

Stairs become a barrier when mobility declines. For some people, it means they can no longer use their bedroom, bathroom, or outdoor areas. For others, it means being trapped on one level of the home they have lived in for decades. A stairlift or lifting platform restores access to every level of your Australia home without the disruption and cost of moving.

But choosing between a stairlift, a platform lift, a vertical lift, or a through-floor lift depends on your specific situation. Your mobility, the staircase configuration, whether you use a wheelchair, the structural capacity of your home, and your funding all determine the right solution.

Through MD Home Care, you can connect with stairlift and lifting platform providers in Australia who assess your home, recommend the right system, handle installation, and provide ongoing maintenance.

Why an Assessment is Required

Stairlifts and platform lifts are classified as home modifications under NDIS and as assistive technology under the AT-HM Scheme. Funding requires a professional assessment, and safe installation requires a site survey. The assessment covers:

• Your mobility. Can you sit and transfer independently (stairlift may suit), or do you need to remain in your wheelchair (platform or through-floor lift required)?
• The staircase. Straight stairs, curved stairs, narrow stairs, outdoor stairs. Each configuration requires different equipment.
• Structural capacity. Platform lifts and through-floor lifts require structural work. An engineer may need to assess load-bearing capacity.
• Building regulations. Lifts must comply with Australian Standards and may require council approval. Your provider handles compliance.
• Future needs. If your mobility is likely to decline further, the assessor will recommend a solution that accommodates future requirements.

Types of Stairlifts and Lifting Platforms

Stairlifts (Seated) A motorised chair that travels along a rail mounted to the staircase. You sit in the chair at the bottom of the stairs and ride to the top. Stairlifts are available for straight and curved staircases, indoor and outdoor stairs. They fold flat against the wall when not in use, leaving the staircase accessible to other household members.

Standing Stairlifts (Perch Lifts) For people who have difficulty sitting or bending their knees sufficiently for a seated stairlift. A perching platform with a support rail allows the user to stand or lean during the journey.

Wheelchair Platform Lifts (Inclined) A platform that travels along the staircase on a rail, carrying the person seated in their wheelchair. These require a wider staircase than seated stairlifts and are suitable for straight stairways.

Vertical Platform Lifts An open or enclosed platform that travels vertically between levels, similar to a small elevator. Suitable for short vertical rises such as a front entry with steps or a split-level home. These do not require a staircase and can be installed externally.

Through-Floor Lifts A fully enclosed cabin that passes through a hole cut in the floor between levels. Through-floor lifts provide wheelchair access between floors within the home and are the closest residential equivalent to a commercial elevator. They require structural modification but have a relatively small footprint.

The Assessment and Installation Process

1. OT assessment. An occupational therapist assesses your mobility, transfer ability, and access needs.
2. Site survey. A lift provider surveys your Australia home to assess the staircase, structural capacity, and installation requirements.
3. Recommendation and quote. The provider recommends the appropriate lift type and provides a detailed quote including installation, electrical work, and any structural modifications.
4. Funding application. Your OT report, provider quote, and any engineering assessments are submitted for funding approval.
5. Installation. A qualified installation team fits the stairlift or platform lift. Installation time varies from one day for a straight stairlift to several weeks for a through-floor lift.
6. Handover and training. You and your household members are trained in safe operation, including emergency procedures and battery backup.
7. Ongoing maintenance. Stairlifts and lifts require regular servicing. Most providers offer annual service contracts.

Funding Your Stairlift or Platform Lift

• NDIS Home Modifications: Lifts are funded under NDIS home modifications where the assessment demonstrates they are reasonable and necessary for your disability-related access needs.
• AT-HM Scheme: Stairlifts typically fall under Tier 2 ($501 to $15,000). Through-floor lifts and platform lifts often fall under Tier 3 (above $15,000). OT assessment is required for both tiers.
• Support at Home: Lifts can be funded through your Support at Home budget where they support safe access and independence at home.
• DVA: Eligible veterans can access stairlifts and home modifications through DVA.
• Private purchase and hire: Some providers offer hire or lease options for stairlifts, which can be cost-effective for shorter-term needs.

“Our house has the bedroom and bathroom upstairs and Mum was sleeping on the couch because she could not manage the stairs. A stairlift was installed in one day, straight track, and Mum went up to her own bed that night. She said she felt like she had her house back. The whole thing was funded through her Support at Home package.” Paul, Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a stairlift damage my staircase? Stairlifts are mounted to the stair treads, not the wall. This means minimal damage that can be easily repaired if the stairlift is removed. The rail is secured with brackets bolted to the stairs. Curved stairlifts require a custom rail, but the mounting method is the same.

How wide does my staircase need to be? Most seated stairlifts require a minimum staircase width of about 700mm. The chair folds flat when not in use. Platform lifts for wheelchairs require wider staircases, typically 900mm or more. Your provider will measure during the site survey.

What happens during a power outage? All stairlifts and platform lifts have battery backup systems. If the power goes out, the lift will complete its current journey and can typically make several additional trips on battery power. The battery recharges automatically when power is restored.

Can a stairlift be installed on a curved staircase? Yes. Curved stairlifts use a custom-manufactured rail that follows the exact shape of your staircase, including turns, landings, and intermediate levels. Custom rails cost more than straight rails, and manufacturing time adds to the lead time.

Related Assistive Technology Services

Stairlifts and platform lifts are part of a broader home accessibility strategy. You may also need home modifications such as grab rails and bathroom adaptations, hoist and transfer equipment for transfers between surfaces, or a comprehensive assistive technology assessment to address all your access needs. Funding for lifts can be accessed through the AT-HM Scheme.

Find a Stairlift or Platform Lift Provider in Australia

Speak With a Care Advisor Today For a free, no-obligation discussion about stairlifts and platform lifts in Australia.