Home Lift vs Platform Lift: Which Is Right for You?
Both provide vertical access inside a home — but they serve different needs, suit different properties, and carry different costs. Here is how to choose.
Home lifts and platform lifts both provide vertical access inside a home, but they serve different needs and suit different properties. Choosing the wrong type means either overspending on capability you do not need, or installing a product that does not meet your access requirements.
Home lifts are enclosed, cab-style lifts installed inside a structural shaft. They are governed by AS 1735.18 and typically cost $20,000–$70,000 installed. If you want a product that feels like a conventional elevator and supports multiple floors, a home lift is the right category.
Platform lifts are open or semi-enclosed platforms governed by AS 1735.14. Many configurations require no structural shaft, making them simpler to install in existing homes. They start from around $22,000 and are specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users — a capability home lifts often do not match.
This comparison covers the six key decision factors so you can match the right product to your property and access needs. For pricing detail on each type, see our home lift cost guide and platform lift cost guide.
The table below compares home lifts and platform lifts across the six factors that matter most to residential buyers. These are decision factors, not specification rows — use them to identify which product category fits your situation before requesting quotes.
Swipe to compare →
| Factor | Home lift | Platform lift |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for wheelchair users | Varies — cab dimensions differ by model, many do not accommodate a standard wheelchair | Yes — designed for wheelchair access; wider platform as standard |
| Requires a structural shaft | Yes — a hoistway must be built or incorporated into the structure | No — many models are self-supporting and require no shaft |
| Typical installed cost (AUD, ex GST) | $20,000–$70,000 | $22,000–$50,000 |
| Maximum travel height | Up to 6+ floors — suitable for multi-storey homes | Typically 2–3 floors — suitable for most residential rises |
| Suitable for outdoor installation | No — requires weatherproof internal installation | Yes — IP-rated models available for outdoor and semi-outdoor positions |
| Relevant Australian Standard | AS 1735.18 (residential lifts) | AS 1735.14 (lift platforms for persons with disabilities) |
Cost ranges are indicative ex-GST and vary by brand, drive system, cab finish, and installation complexity. Consult a qualified lift supplier for a site-specific assessment before committing to either product type.
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.
Choose a home lift if
- Multiple family members will use the lift regularly and want a conventional elevator experience
- Your home spans three or more floors and you need full-height travel
- You have room for a structural shaft or are building new and can incorporate a hoistway
- You want the lift to add premium value to the property at resale
- The primary users are ambulatory and wheelchair access is not a requirement
For more detail on what is available in this category, see our home lifts overview.
Choose a platform lift if
- You or a family member uses a wheelchair and needs reliable, consistent access between levels
- You want to avoid major construction — many platform lifts require no shaft and minimal structural work
- Your budget is under $35,000 and you need a two-floor solution
- The lift needs to be positioned outdoors, in a garage, or on a deck
- You are installing under a home modification or aged care funding program that specifies platform lift compliance
For more detail, see our platform lifts overview.
Our recommendation
For wheelchair users, a platform lift is almost always the more practical solution. The open platform, wider footprint, and lower structural requirement make it the standard recommendation from Australian home modification advisors and aged care occupational therapists.
For ambulatory users who want a permanent home feature across multiple floors, a home lift delivers a more refined experience and supports greater travel height.
If you are unsure which suits your property, the most efficient next step is to request quotes from both categories. Suppliers will assess your site and specify the appropriate product — at no cost.
Still deciding? Get quotes for both options
Installers will assess your site and recommend the right specification.
What are you looking for today?
I need a lift installed
I have a lift that needs attention
Home lifts and platform lifts both provide vertical access inside a home, but they serve different needs and suit different properties. Choosing the wrong type means either overspending on capability you do not need, or installing a product that does not meet your access requirements.
Home lifts are enclosed, cab-style lifts installed inside a structural shaft. They are governed by AS 1735.18 and typically cost $20,000–$70,000 installed. If you want a product that feels like a conventional elevator and supports multiple floors, a home lift is the right category.
Platform lifts are open or semi-enclosed platforms governed by AS 1735.14. Many configurations require no structural shaft, making them simpler to install in existing homes. They start from around $22,000 and are specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users — a capability home lifts often do not match.
This comparison covers the six key decision factors so you can match the right product to your property and access needs. For pricing detail on each type, see our home lift cost guide and platform lift cost guide.
The table below compares home lifts and platform lifts across the six factors that matter most to residential buyers. These are decision factors, not specification rows — use them to identify which product category fits your situation before requesting quotes.
Swipe to compare →
| Factor | Home lift | Platform lift |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for wheelchair users | Varies — cab dimensions differ by model, many do not accommodate a standard wheelchair | Yes — designed for wheelchair access; wider platform as standard |
| Requires a structural shaft | Yes — a hoistway must be built or incorporated into the structure | No — many models are self-supporting and require no shaft |
| Typical installed cost (AUD, ex GST) | $20,000–$70,000 | $22,000–$50,000 |
| Maximum travel height | Up to 6+ floors — suitable for multi-storey homes | Typically 2–3 floors — suitable for most residential rises |
| Suitable for outdoor installation | No — requires weatherproof internal installation | Yes — IP-rated models available for outdoor and semi-outdoor positions |
| Relevant Australian Standard | AS 1735.18 (residential lifts) | AS 1735.14 (lift platforms for persons with disabilities) |
Cost ranges are indicative ex-GST and vary by brand, drive system, cab finish, and installation complexity. Consult a qualified lift supplier for a site-specific assessment before committing to either product type.
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.
Choose a home lift if
- Multiple family members will use the lift regularly and want a conventional elevator experience
- Your home spans three or more floors and you need full-height travel
- You have room for a structural shaft or are building new and can incorporate a hoistway
- You want the lift to add premium value to the property at resale
- The primary users are ambulatory and wheelchair access is not a requirement
For more detail on what is available in this category, see our home lifts overview.
Choose a platform lift if
- You or a family member uses a wheelchair and needs reliable, consistent access between levels
- You want to avoid major construction — many platform lifts require no shaft and minimal structural work
- Your budget is under $35,000 and you need a two-floor solution
- The lift needs to be positioned outdoors, in a garage, or on a deck
- You are installing under a home modification or aged care funding program that specifies platform lift compliance
For more detail, see our platform lifts overview.
Our recommendation
For wheelchair users, a platform lift is almost always the more practical solution. The open platform, wider footprint, and lower structural requirement make it the standard recommendation from Australian home modification advisors and aged care occupational therapists.
For ambulatory users who want a permanent home feature across multiple floors, a home lift delivers a more refined experience and supports greater travel height.
If you are unsure which suits your property, the most efficient next step is to request quotes from both categories. Suppliers will assess your site and specify the appropriate product — at no cost.
Still deciding? Get quotes for both options
Installers will assess your site and recommend the right specification.
What are you looking for today?
I need a lift installed
I have a lift that needs attention
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