Platform Lift Installation Cost in Australia
Installing a vertical platform lift usually costs $20,000 to $45,000 all up, ex GST — the unit plus the site works, electrical connection and commissioning. Here is what the install actually covers, and why it is separate from the lift-only price.
A platform lift costs about $20,000 to $45,000 installed in Australia as of Q2 2026, ex GST. That installed figure is the one that matters, because the number suppliers advertise is usually the lift-only (supply) price — around $15,000 to $35,000 — and it leaves out the site works that actually get the lift standing and running.
If you are arranging a platform lift for yourself, a parent or a family member, this is the surprise that catches most people: the concrete base, the electrical supply, the delivery and rigging, and the commissioning are all real costs, and they are quoted separately from the unit. This page pulls those apart so you can see the whole picture — the supply price, each part of the installation, and the total you should budget for.
We cover what site works are needed, whether you need a pit or a concrete base, why an outdoor install sits at the higher end, and how NDIS, Support at Home and aged-care funding can cover the installation and not just the lift. For the purchase-only ranges by lift type, see our companion guide to platform lift cost.
Indicative platform lift prices in Australia, ex GST, separating the lift-only supply price from the fully installed cost. Last checked July 2026.
| Scenario | Cost range (AUD, ex GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical platform lift — installed (indoor) | $20,000–$35,000 | An open or low-enclosure vertical platform lift fitted indoors on a simple concrete base — unit, site works, electrical and commissioning. Indicative, ex GST; LiftQuotes collation, July 2026. |
| Enclosed platform lift — installed | $28,000–$45,000 | A fully enclosed platform lift with a shaft structure and doors at each level, indoor. Higher for taller travel and multiple stops. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Outdoor / weather-rated platform lift — installed | $25,000–$45,000 | A weather-rated unit with corrosion protection and a sealed base pad for external access. Sits at the higher end of its band. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Installation component only | $5,000–$15,000 | The install itself — concrete base or pit, electrical supply, delivery and rigging, and commissioning — separate from the unit. Higher where structural works are needed. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Platform lift — supply only (for comparison) | $15,000–$35,000 | The lift-only price commonly advertised by suppliers, excluding all site works. Shown here so you can see what the installation adds. Indicative, ex GST. |
Ranges combine supplier-stated installed and supply-only prices with Australian consumer cost-guide data collated by LiftQuotes, and deliberately separate the lift unit from the installation. Figures are ex GST and exclude any major structural or building works a specific site needs. Every platform lift is quoted on a site assessment, so treat these as planning figures and confirm against a real quote.
Last checked: 20 July 2026
Five things move a platform lift installation price. The unit is the biggest single line, but the site works are where quotes diverge — and where the surprises live.
Site works — base or pit
A vertical platform lift needs a level, load-rated foundation. Most installs use a shallow concrete base or pad; some enclosed models sit in a small pit. Forming a base typically adds $1,500 to $6,000 depending on ground conditions and whether a ramp or landing pad is also needed. Pit-less (pitless) models save on excavation but the base still has to be right.
Electrical supply and connection
The lift needs a dedicated power supply run to it and connected by a licensed electrician — commonly $800 to $2,500 depending on the distance from the switchboard and whether the board has capacity. An outdoor lift also needs weatherproof, external-rated wiring, which lifts this line.
Delivery, rigging and commissioning
The unit has to be delivered, craned or manually rigged into position, assembled, and then commissioned — checked, adjusted and certified against AS 1735.14 (the standard for low-rise platforms) before handover. This is usually $1,500 to $4,000, and access constraints at the site push it up.
Indoor or outdoor
An outdoor platform lift has to be weather-rated — corrosion-protected components, sealed electricals and a drained base pad — which raises both the unit and the install. Coastal salt exposure makes the corrosion protection more important again, so an outdoor fit sits at the higher end of every range on this page.
Additional building or structural work
If the opening, landing or supporting structure has to be altered — cutting an opening, reinforcing a deck, building a landing, or a DA for the works — this is an extra line that ranges from nothing on a simple entry install to $8,000 or more on a complex retrofit. It is the single biggest reason two quotes for the same lift can differ.
Lift companies in Australia
Browse profiles, compare service areas, and check reviews.
Lift Shop
★ 5.0 (1551 reviews)
Australia's largest dedicated home lift specialist since 1996. 10,000+ installations. Exclusive Italian-crafted lifts with industry-leading 8-year warranty.
View profile →
Compact Home Lifts
NDIS★ 5.0 (465 reviews)
Melbourne branch of Compact Home Lifts. Compact residential lift specialist providing maintenance and repair services across Victoria.
View profile →
Next Level Elevators
★ 5.0 (454 reviews)
Award-winning provider of premium Italian-designed all-electric home elevators. Certified Eltec Partner. Showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
View profile →
Shotton Lifts
NDIS★ 5.0 (9 reviews)
Family-owned Australian lift manufacturer since 1977. 80+ staff. Design, engineer, manufacture, install and service from Dandenong South VIC. NDIS registered.
View profile →
LiftFit Australia
NDIS★ 5.0 (8 reviews)
Victoria-based NDIS registered lift provider, est. 2011. Partners with Cibes, Savaria, and Kalea. Residential, commercial, and platform lifts.
View profile →
Easy Living Home Elevators
★ 5.0 (7 reviews)
Australia's #1 home elevator supplier since 1998. 100% Australian-owned. 11,000+ elevators in service across 6 states.
View profile →
LiftQuotes is a comparison platform. Companies shown are filtered by relevance to this page. Listing does not imply endorsement. LiftQuotes may receive a referral fee when you request quotes.
How much does it cost to install a platform lift?
A platform lift costs about $20,000 to $45,000 installed in Australia as of Q2 2026, ex GST. The lift-only supply price sits at roughly $15,000 to $35,000, and the installation — the base, the electrical supply, the rigging and the commissioning — adds a further $5,000 to $15,000. The chart below breaks the installed price into its parts so you can see where the money goes.
Supply price vs installed price — why they differ
Suppliers advertise the lift-only price because it looks lower, but that number will not get a working lift at your door. The installed price is the supply price plus the site works needed on your specific site. That is the honest figure to compare between quotes, and it is why two homes buying the same platform lift can pay thousands apart — one has a simple, level entry and an easy power run, the other needs a formed base, a longer electrical supply and a landing built. When you compare quotes, insist on the installed price broken out from the unit price. Our platform lift cost guide covers the purchase-only ranges by type if you are still choosing a lift.
What the installation actually involves
Four things make up the install. First, the site works: a level, load-rated concrete base or a small pit for the lift to sit on, plus any ramp or landing pad. Second, the electrical supply: a dedicated circuit run from the switchboard and connected by a licensed electrician. Third, delivery and rigging: getting the unit to site and into position, which can mean a crane or careful manual handling where access is tight. Fourth, commissioning and handover: the installer checks, adjusts and certifies the lift against AS 1735.14 — the Australian Standard for low-rise platforms for limited-mobility applications — and hands it over with the paperwork. A straightforward indoor install is usually done in one to three days on site once the base has cured; an enclosed or outdoor lift takes longer.
Does a platform lift need a pit or a concrete base?
Most do need a base, but not always a pit. A vertical platform lift needs a level, load-rated foundation — commonly a shallow concrete base or pad poured to the installer's specification. Many modern models are pit-less (pitless), meaning they sit on the finished floor or a low base with only a small ramp threshold, which avoids excavation. An enclosed platform lift more often uses a shallow pit. The ground conditions matter: reactive or sandy soils, or a sloping outdoor site, add to the base cost. This is the first thing an installer assesses on site, and it is where site works quotes diverge most.
Indoor, outdoor and enclosed options
An indoor open platform lift is the simplest and cheapest to install. An enclosed platform lift, with a shaft structure and doors at each landing, costs more to supply and to install. An outdoor lift has to be weather-rated — corrosion-protected, sealed against water, and set on a drained base — so an outdoor install sits at the higher end, and homes near the coast should specify marine-grade corrosion protection. If your access need is a wheelchair, our guides to wheelchair lifts and wheelchair lift cost cover platform sizing and the compliance points that matter for funded installs.
Funding: NDIS, Support at Home and aged care
Funding usually covers the installation, not just the lift. If you are an NDIS participant with home modifications in your plan, a platform lift and its installation can be funded following an occupational therapist assessment — the pathway, from OT assessment to NDIA approval, is set out in our NDIS funded lifts guide. Older Australians may access support through the Support at Home program and My Aged Care, and states run home-modification schemes that can contribute. Funding almost always requires an OT recommendation and a quote that itemises the install, so get the assessment moving early — it is usually the step that sets the timeline.
What this means for you
Budget for the installed price, not the advertised unit price. Get the quote itemised — supply, base or pit, electrical, rigging and commissioning, and any building works — so you can compare like for like and see where a cheaper headline hides a thinner scope. Confirm whether your site needs a pit or a base, and whether the lift is indoor or weather-rated. All figures here are indicative, ex GST, and last checked in July 2026.
Every platform lift is priced on a site assessment, so comparing installers is the only way to see a real, installed figure. Get free quotes from vetted Australian platform lift suppliers, and compare the installed cost — unit, site works and commissioning — not just the headline supply price.
How we research these costs
Cost figures on this page are indicative ranges, ex GST, last checked in July 2026. They separate the lift-only supply price from the fully installed cost, and break the installation into site works, electrical supply, delivery and rigging, and commissioning. They exclude major structural or building works a specific site needs, which are noted as a separate line. Every platform lift is quoted from a site assessment against AS 1735.14, so treat these as planning figures to confirm against a real quote.
Sources: supplier-stated installed and supply-only platform lift prices collated by LiftQuotes (2026); hipages national cost-guide data for residential access lifts; Australian disability and aged-care funding guidance (NDIS home modifications, Support at Home / My Aged Care) for the funding pathways; and AS 1735.14 (low-rise platforms for limited-mobility applications) for the commissioning reference. Figures exclude remedial and structural work.
Last reviewed
20 July 2026
Next review due
20 January 2027
Get quotes tailored to your project
Tell us about your home and receive personalised pricing from local installers.
What are you looking for today?
I need a lift installed
I have a lift that needs attention
A platform lift costs about $20,000 to $45,000 installed in Australia as of Q2 2026, ex GST. That installed figure is the one that matters, because the number suppliers advertise is usually the lift-only (supply) price — around $15,000 to $35,000 — and it leaves out the site works that actually get the lift standing and running.
If you are arranging a platform lift for yourself, a parent or a family member, this is the surprise that catches most people: the concrete base, the electrical supply, the delivery and rigging, and the commissioning are all real costs, and they are quoted separately from the unit. This page pulls those apart so you can see the whole picture — the supply price, each part of the installation, and the total you should budget for.
We cover what site works are needed, whether you need a pit or a concrete base, why an outdoor install sits at the higher end, and how NDIS, Support at Home and aged-care funding can cover the installation and not just the lift. For the purchase-only ranges by lift type, see our companion guide to platform lift cost.
Indicative platform lift prices in Australia, ex GST, separating the lift-only supply price from the fully installed cost. Last checked July 2026.
| Scenario | Cost range (AUD, ex GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical platform lift — installed (indoor) | $20,000–$35,000 | An open or low-enclosure vertical platform lift fitted indoors on a simple concrete base — unit, site works, electrical and commissioning. Indicative, ex GST; LiftQuotes collation, July 2026. |
| Enclosed platform lift — installed | $28,000–$45,000 | A fully enclosed platform lift with a shaft structure and doors at each level, indoor. Higher for taller travel and multiple stops. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Outdoor / weather-rated platform lift — installed | $25,000–$45,000 | A weather-rated unit with corrosion protection and a sealed base pad for external access. Sits at the higher end of its band. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Installation component only | $5,000–$15,000 | The install itself — concrete base or pit, electrical supply, delivery and rigging, and commissioning — separate from the unit. Higher where structural works are needed. Indicative, ex GST. |
| Platform lift — supply only (for comparison) | $15,000–$35,000 | The lift-only price commonly advertised by suppliers, excluding all site works. Shown here so you can see what the installation adds. Indicative, ex GST. |
Ranges combine supplier-stated installed and supply-only prices with Australian consumer cost-guide data collated by LiftQuotes, and deliberately separate the lift unit from the installation. Figures are ex GST and exclude any major structural or building works a specific site needs. Every platform lift is quoted on a site assessment, so treat these as planning figures and confirm against a real quote.
Last checked: 20 July 2026
Five things move a platform lift installation price. The unit is the biggest single line, but the site works are where quotes diverge — and where the surprises live.
Site works — base or pit
A vertical platform lift needs a level, load-rated foundation. Most installs use a shallow concrete base or pad; some enclosed models sit in a small pit. Forming a base typically adds $1,500 to $6,000 depending on ground conditions and whether a ramp or landing pad is also needed. Pit-less (pitless) models save on excavation but the base still has to be right.
Electrical supply and connection
The lift needs a dedicated power supply run to it and connected by a licensed electrician — commonly $800 to $2,500 depending on the distance from the switchboard and whether the board has capacity. An outdoor lift also needs weatherproof, external-rated wiring, which lifts this line.
Delivery, rigging and commissioning
The unit has to be delivered, craned or manually rigged into position, assembled, and then commissioned — checked, adjusted and certified against AS 1735.14 (the standard for low-rise platforms) before handover. This is usually $1,500 to $4,000, and access constraints at the site push it up.
Indoor or outdoor
An outdoor platform lift has to be weather-rated — corrosion-protected components, sealed electricals and a drained base pad — which raises both the unit and the install. Coastal salt exposure makes the corrosion protection more important again, so an outdoor fit sits at the higher end of every range on this page.
Additional building or structural work
If the opening, landing or supporting structure has to be altered — cutting an opening, reinforcing a deck, building a landing, or a DA for the works — this is an extra line that ranges from nothing on a simple entry install to $8,000 or more on a complex retrofit. It is the single biggest reason two quotes for the same lift can differ.
Lift companies in Australia
Browse profiles, compare service areas, and check reviews.
Lift Shop
★ 5.0 (1551 reviews)
Australia's largest dedicated home lift specialist since 1996. 10,000+ installations. Exclusive Italian-crafted lifts with industry-leading 8-year warranty.
View profile →
Compact Home Lifts
NDIS★ 5.0 (465 reviews)
Melbourne branch of Compact Home Lifts. Compact residential lift specialist providing maintenance and repair services across Victoria.
View profile →
Next Level Elevators
★ 5.0 (454 reviews)
Award-winning provider of premium Italian-designed all-electric home elevators. Certified Eltec Partner. Showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
View profile →
Shotton Lifts
NDIS★ 5.0 (9 reviews)
Family-owned Australian lift manufacturer since 1977. 80+ staff. Design, engineer, manufacture, install and service from Dandenong South VIC. NDIS registered.
View profile →
LiftFit Australia
NDIS★ 5.0 (8 reviews)
Victoria-based NDIS registered lift provider, est. 2011. Partners with Cibes, Savaria, and Kalea. Residential, commercial, and platform lifts.
View profile →
Easy Living Home Elevators
★ 5.0 (7 reviews)
Australia's #1 home elevator supplier since 1998. 100% Australian-owned. 11,000+ elevators in service across 6 states.
View profile →
LiftQuotes is a comparison platform. Companies shown are filtered by relevance to this page. Listing does not imply endorsement. LiftQuotes may receive a referral fee when you request quotes.
How much does it cost to install a platform lift?
A platform lift costs about $20,000 to $45,000 installed in Australia as of Q2 2026, ex GST. The lift-only supply price sits at roughly $15,000 to $35,000, and the installation — the base, the electrical supply, the rigging and the commissioning — adds a further $5,000 to $15,000. The chart below breaks the installed price into its parts so you can see where the money goes.
Supply price vs installed price — why they differ
Suppliers advertise the lift-only price because it looks lower, but that number will not get a working lift at your door. The installed price is the supply price plus the site works needed on your specific site. That is the honest figure to compare between quotes, and it is why two homes buying the same platform lift can pay thousands apart — one has a simple, level entry and an easy power run, the other needs a formed base, a longer electrical supply and a landing built. When you compare quotes, insist on the installed price broken out from the unit price. Our platform lift cost guide covers the purchase-only ranges by type if you are still choosing a lift.
What the installation actually involves
Four things make up the install. First, the site works: a level, load-rated concrete base or a small pit for the lift to sit on, plus any ramp or landing pad. Second, the electrical supply: a dedicated circuit run from the switchboard and connected by a licensed electrician. Third, delivery and rigging: getting the unit to site and into position, which can mean a crane or careful manual handling where access is tight. Fourth, commissioning and handover: the installer checks, adjusts and certifies the lift against AS 1735.14 — the Australian Standard for low-rise platforms for limited-mobility applications — and hands it over with the paperwork. A straightforward indoor install is usually done in one to three days on site once the base has cured; an enclosed or outdoor lift takes longer.
Does a platform lift need a pit or a concrete base?
Most do need a base, but not always a pit. A vertical platform lift needs a level, load-rated foundation — commonly a shallow concrete base or pad poured to the installer's specification. Many modern models are pit-less (pitless), meaning they sit on the finished floor or a low base with only a small ramp threshold, which avoids excavation. An enclosed platform lift more often uses a shallow pit. The ground conditions matter: reactive or sandy soils, or a sloping outdoor site, add to the base cost. This is the first thing an installer assesses on site, and it is where site works quotes diverge most.
Indoor, outdoor and enclosed options
An indoor open platform lift is the simplest and cheapest to install. An enclosed platform lift, with a shaft structure and doors at each landing, costs more to supply and to install. An outdoor lift has to be weather-rated — corrosion-protected, sealed against water, and set on a drained base — so an outdoor install sits at the higher end, and homes near the coast should specify marine-grade corrosion protection. If your access need is a wheelchair, our guides to wheelchair lifts and wheelchair lift cost cover platform sizing and the compliance points that matter for funded installs.
Funding: NDIS, Support at Home and aged care
Funding usually covers the installation, not just the lift. If you are an NDIS participant with home modifications in your plan, a platform lift and its installation can be funded following an occupational therapist assessment — the pathway, from OT assessment to NDIA approval, is set out in our NDIS funded lifts guide. Older Australians may access support through the Support at Home program and My Aged Care, and states run home-modification schemes that can contribute. Funding almost always requires an OT recommendation and a quote that itemises the install, so get the assessment moving early — it is usually the step that sets the timeline.
What this means for you
Budget for the installed price, not the advertised unit price. Get the quote itemised — supply, base or pit, electrical, rigging and commissioning, and any building works — so you can compare like for like and see where a cheaper headline hides a thinner scope. Confirm whether your site needs a pit or a base, and whether the lift is indoor or weather-rated. All figures here are indicative, ex GST, and last checked in July 2026.
Every platform lift is priced on a site assessment, so comparing installers is the only way to see a real, installed figure. Get free quotes from vetted Australian platform lift suppliers, and compare the installed cost — unit, site works and commissioning — not just the headline supply price.
How we research these costs
Cost figures on this page are indicative ranges, ex GST, last checked in July 2026. They separate the lift-only supply price from the fully installed cost, and break the installation into site works, electrical supply, delivery and rigging, and commissioning. They exclude major structural or building works a specific site needs, which are noted as a separate line. Every platform lift is quoted from a site assessment against AS 1735.14, so treat these as planning figures to confirm against a real quote.
Sources: supplier-stated installed and supply-only platform lift prices collated by LiftQuotes (2026); hipages national cost-guide data for residential access lifts; Australian disability and aged-care funding guidance (NDIS home modifications, Support at Home / My Aged Care) for the funding pathways; and AS 1735.14 (low-rise platforms for limited-mobility applications) for the commissioning reference. Figures exclude remedial and structural work.
Last reviewed
20 July 2026
Next review due
20 January 2027
Get quotes tailored to your project
Tell us about your home and receive personalised pricing from local installers.
What are you looking for today?
I need a lift installed
I have a lift that needs attention
Common questions about platform lift installation costs
A platform lift costs about $20,000 to $45,000 installed in Australia as of Q2 2026, ex GST. The lift-only supply price is roughly $15,000 to $35,000, and the installation — concrete base or pit, electrical supply, delivery and rigging, and commissioning — adds a further $5,000 to $15,000. Figures are indicative and exclude major structural works.
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