Cost guides › Stair lift
Australia
Stair lift cost (straight stairs)
A new straight stair lift for 1 flight(s) of about 13 to 14 steps typically costs $6,600 installed including GST, with most quotes between $5,150 and $8,550. A basic model comes in around $5,100, while a heavy-duty or feature-rich unit with a powered folding rail runs about $8,700. Reconditioned straight lifts are common and cost less, but our figures are for a new unit.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $5,200 | $6,650 | $8,800 |
| New South Wales | $5,100 | $6,600 | $8,750 |
| Northern Territory | $5,150 | $6,600 | $8,750 |
| Western Australia | $5,150 | $6,600 | $8,750 |
| Queensland | $5,100 | $6,550 | $8,700 |
| South Australia | $5,050 | $6,550 | $8,650 |
| Victoria | $5,100 | $6,550 | $8,700 |
| Tasmania | $5,050 | $6,500 | $8,650 |
What's included
Mid-range
- New stair lift carriage with seat, footrest, armrests and controls
- Straight rail with brackets for each flight, fixed to the stair treads
- Installation of the rail and carriage, connection to power and commissioning
- Call-and-send remote controls for the top and bottom of the stairs
- First-year service and safety check
What affects the cost
Basic, mid-range or premium unit
Entry models have a manual swivel seat and fold-up footrest. Mid-range units add comfort and convenience such as a wider seat, smoother start and stop and a powered footrest. Premium units add a powered swivel and footrest, higher weight capacity, or a hinged rail that folds out of the way when the bottom of the rail would block a doorway or hallway.
New, reconditioned or hired
A straight rail can be cut to length, so reconditioned straight lifts are widely available and cost less than new; ask what was replaced and what warranty comes with it. Hiring suits a short-term need such as recovery after surgery, but the weekly or monthly fees add up if the need turns out to be long-term. Our calculator prices a new unit only.
Number of flights
Each straight flight needs its own rail and carriage. A split-level home with two short straight flights may need two lifts, and a staircase that turns at a landing usually needs a curved rail instead, which costs considerably more.
Power and battery backup
Most stair lifts run on batteries charged from an ordinary power point, so they keep working during a blackout. If there is no power point near the stairs, adding one is extra and must be done by a licensed electrician.
User weight and seat position
Standard units carry an average adult; heavy-duty models cost more. Someone who cannot bend their knees may need a perch or standing model, and the seat height should suit the person using it.
Servicing and warranty
The first-year check is included here. After that, a yearly service plan is optional but worth pricing up front, along with the call-out fee and replacement batteries, which wear out over time.
How to save
- Ask for a quote on a reconditioned straight lift alongside a new one; the rail is cut to fit, so it is a common way to save.
- Hire if the need is temporary, and ask whether hire payments can go towards buying the lift.
- Compare warranty length and service plan prices, not only the installed price.
- Check NDIS or My Aged Care eligibility before you sign, as funded work usually needs an assessment and approval first.
Grants, tax and rules
NDIS and My Aged Care
The NDIS funds home modifications for eligible participants, with smaller jobs treated as minor modifications and larger ones as complex modifications with an assessor involved. Older people usually go through My Aged Care, where help with equipment and home modifications may be available after an assessment.
Two-storey homes, split levels and outdoor stairs
Most stair lifts go into two-storey homes and split levels with one straight flight. Elevated homes such as Queenslanders often have their main stairs outside; outdoor stair lifts exist with weatherproof covers and sealed controls, cost more than indoor units and are usually quoted separately. Near the coast, ask about corrosion-resistant finishes and more frequent servicing, as salt air is hard on rails and fixings.
Licensed electrician
If a new power point is needed near the stairs, it must be installed by a licensed electrician under state licensing, who should give you a certificate of compliance for the work.
GST
Quotes to households include 10% GST, and so do our figures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a stair lift cost in Australia?
A new straight stair lift for 1 flight(s) typically costs about $6,600 installed including GST. A basic model is closer to $5,100, a premium one around $8,700, and reconditioned units cost less.
Is a reconditioned stair lift a good idea?
For a straight staircase it often is, because the rail can be cut to fit your stairs. Buy from a company that installs and services the lift, and check the warranty and which parts were replaced.
Can you hire a stair lift?
Many suppliers hire out straight stair lifts for short-term needs. Compare the installation fee, hire rate and removal charge with the price of a reconditioned unit if the need may last.
Does the NDIS pay for a stair lift?
It can, for eligible participants where it is assessed as needed. Older people who are not NDIS participants usually go through My Aged Care, where support may be available after an assessment.
Does a stair lift work in a blackout?
Most run on rechargeable batteries that charge from a power point or at charging points on the rail, so they keep working for a number of trips during a power outage.
Will a stair lift damage my stairs?
The rail is fixed to the treads with brackets, not to the wall. Removing it later leaves small screw holes in the treads that can be filled or covered by carpet.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 5 · Labour: $581 · Materials: $5,404
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: liftsforhomes.com.au (Apr 2026) A$4,500-8,000 ex GST, typical 6,000 (+GST); directlifts 2024 A$4,480.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy