When investing in a lift, one of the most important questions you can ask is:

“Does this lift comply with the correct Australian Standard for its intended application?”

Recently, we’ve become aware of some confusion within the industry surrounding Australian lift compliance. In some cases, it has been suggested that certain lift designs are “not compliant” simply because they don’t follow a conventional lift configuration, such as a standard pit depth.

The reality is more nuanced.

There Isn’t Just One Australian Standard for Every Lift

Australia’s lift industry is governed by the AS 1735 series of standards, with different parts applying to different lift types and applications. Residential home lifts, commercial passenger lifts and accessibility lifts each have their own compliance requirements.

At Shotton Lifts, every lift we design and install is engineered to comply with the Australian Standard relevant to its intended use.

Our Alpine Commercial Lift is designed to comply with AS 1735.1, AS 1735.12, BCA E3.6, and DDA requirements for commercial passenger lift installations.

The Truth About Reduced Pit Depths

A common misconception is that only lifts complying with AS 1735.18 can have a reduced pit depth.

This is not correct.

The current Australian Standard AS 1735.1:2021, which aligns with the internationally recognised EN 81-20 and EN 81-21 standards, provides compliant pathways for commercial passenger lifts to be installed with reduced pit and headroom dimensions where conventional building constraints exist.

These provisions allow reduced pit installations by incorporating additional engineered safety measures designed to protect maintenance personnel during servicing and inspection.

This means that a commercial passenger lift can remain fully compliant with Australian Standards while operating with reduced pit dimensions—without being classified as a limited-use residential lift.

Why This Matters

Every building presents different design challenges.

In many projects, particularly refurbishments, existing buildings or sites with structural limitations, achieving a traditional pit depth simply isn’t practical.

Rather than forcing unnecessary building modifications, modern Australian Standards recognise these situations and provide compliant engineering solutions that maintain the required level of safety.

These solutions are widely adopted internationally and are fully supported within the current Australian Standards framework when the required protective measures are incorporated.

Compliance Isn’t About Assumptions

It’s important to remember that compliance isn’t determined by appearance or assumptions.

It’s determined by whether the lift has been designed, engineered and certified to meet the applicable Australian Standard for its specific application.

When comparing lift suppliers, ask:

“Which Australian Standard does this lift comply with?”

“Why is that the correct standard for this application?”

“Can you provide documentation demonstrating compliance?”

“Does the lift meet all applicable accessibility requirements?”

A reputable lift company should be able to answer these questions clearly and provide supporting documentation.

Our Commitment

At Shotton Lifts, safety and compliance are at the heart of everything we do.

The lifts we supply are designed and installed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards and building regulations for its intended application. We work closely with builders, architects, certifiers and regulatory authorities to ensure every installation meets the required compliance standards while delivering practical, reliable and long-lasting accessibility solutions.

If you’d like to learn more about Australian lift standards or discuss the best lift solution for your project, our experienced team is always happy to help.