Australia's boom lift and aerial work platform market is dominated by a handful of global manufacturers, each with a different reputation for build quality, model range, service network and resale value. Whether you're hiring a boom lift for a project, specifying an EWP for a tender, or adding to a cherry picker fleet, understanding what Genie, JLG, Haulotte, Skyjack, Snorkel and Manitou bring to the Australian market will help you make a better decision.
Genie boom lifts and cherry pickers
Genie (a Terex Corporation brand) is the market leader for self-propelled boom lifts across Australia. Their Z series articulating boom lifts (Z-33, Z-45, Z-60, Z-80, Z-135) and S series telescopic boom lifts (S-40, S-60, S-65, S-80, S-100, S-125, S-135) cover the broadest range of working heights of any single brand in the Australian market.
Genie boom lifts are the benchmark specification on large Australian commercial construction and infrastructure projects. Their service network — through authorised dealers in every state — means parts availability and factory-trained technicians are accessible even in regional and remote areas. Resale values for well-maintained Genie machines are among the strongest in the category.
Genie also manufactures truck-mounted EWPs under their Z-series designation, and their scissor lift GS range and vertical mast AWP series complete one of the most comprehensive access equipment lineups available in Australia.
JLG boom lifts and aerial work platforms
JLG (an Oshkosh Corporation brand) is Genie's closest competitor in the Australian boom lift market. JLG's articulating boom range (340AJ, 400AJ, 450AJ, 600AJ, 800AJ, 800AJ SkyPower) and telescopic range (340S, 400S, 460SJ, 600S, 660SJ, 800S, 860SJ, 1200SJP) cover essentially the same height range as Genie's offering, with comparable build quality and dealer network coverage.
JLG is particularly strong in the large-height segment: the 1200SJP telescopic boom — with a working height exceeding 43 metres — is a regular on major Australian infrastructure and industrial maintenance projects where other machines simply cannot reach. JLG's service infrastructure in Australia is robust, with major dealer presence in all capital cities and key regional centres.
JLG also manufactures scissor lifts (ES series), vertical masts and scissor lift rough terrain models, making it a full-range MEWP supplier across all equipment types common on Australian sites.
Haulotte boom lifts and MEWPs
Haulotte is a French manufacturer with a growing boom lift presence in Australia. Their articulating boom range (HA12 CJ, HA16 SPX, HA20 PX, HA26 PX, HA32 PX) and telescopic range (HT21 RTJ, HT23 RTJ) cover the commercial working height range used on most Australian construction and maintenance projects.
Haulotte machines are competitively priced on the new-equipment market and are increasingly common in Australian hire fleets on the east coast. Their Compact scissor lift range and Star rough terrain scissor lift series round out a broad product offering. Parts and service support have improved significantly through dedicated distributor networks, though resale values remain below the established Genie and JLG benchmark.
Skyjack boom lifts
Skyjack's boom lift range (SJ-B series articulating, SJ-T series telescopic) is smaller than Genie or JLG's offering but carries the same reputation for simplicity and serviceability that has made Skyjack scissor lifts a hire fleet favourite in Australia. Skyjack boom lifts are built with fewer electronic components and simpler hydraulic systems than some competitors, which translates to lower maintenance complexity and easier fault diagnosis.
For Australian hire operators who prioritise uptime and in-house serviceability over cutting-edge feature sets, Skyjack boom lifts are a consistent performer. Their articulating boom range covers the most common commercial heights; the telescopic range handles outdoor heavy-reach applications.
Snorkel boom lifts and aerial work platforms
Snorkel manufactures articulating and telescopic boom lifts alongside their scissor lift range, with the full product line available in Australia through national distributor networks. Snorkel boom lifts are competitively priced at the new-equipment level and have become a regular choice for hire operators expanding capacity without premium brand capital outlay.
The Snorkel A series (A38E, A46JE) and TB series (TB42J, TB60J) articulating boom lifts, and the S series telescopic range, cover the commercial heights used across Australian construction and maintenance applications.
Truck-mounted cherry picker brands
In the truck-mounted EWP (cherry picker) segment — distinct from self-propelled boom lifts — the dominant brands in Australia are Terex, Altec, Nifty Lift, Elliott and Versalift.
Terex truck-mounted units (LT40, LT55, XT series) are fitted to Isuzu, Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso chassis and are a common sight with Australian electrical contractors, councils and telecommunications operators. Altec truck-mounted EWPs (AT37G, TA45S, AT55) are similarly widespread, particularly in the utilities and power sector.
Nifty Lift (NL122TF, NL170KTF) provides a popular mid-range option with strong Australian operator familiarity. Elliott is a notable Australian-designed cherry picker brand with a long history of supplying truck-mounted EWPs to councils, utilities and telecommunications operators across the country.
Which boom lift or cherry picker brand should you choose?
- For long-term fleet investment with the broadest service support: Genie and JLG are the benchmark — strongest resale, widest parts network, most field service options.
- For competitive capital cost on a commercial hire fleet expansion: Haulotte and Snorkel deliver solid performance at lower entry cost, suitable for metro-focused operations.
- For low maintenance complexity and reliable uptime: Skyjack's simplicity-first design philosophy reduces in-field breakdowns and makes fleet maintenance more predictable.
- For truck-mounted cherry picker applications: Terex, Altec and Nifty Lift are the most common choices in Australia; Elliott for locally supported machines with a long Australian service history.
This guide is general information prepared by EWP Australia and is grounded in publicly available Australian Standards and Safe Work Australia material. It is not a substitute for the current published edition of the relevant standard or for site-specific engineering advice. Always work from the current standard and consult a competent person for your specific equipment and application.