Hiring a cherry picker, boom lift, scissor lift or elevated work platform is one of the most common equipment decisions on Australian work sites — and one of the most commonly made wrong. The wrong machine wastes hire cost, creates site access problems, and can leave the job half-finished when the machine can't reach the work point. This guide covers how to specify the right machine, what to check before it arrives on site, and what to expect from the hire process across Australia.
Matching the machine to the job
The single most important step in hiring access equipment — whether a cherry picker, boom lift, scissor lift, MEWP or EWP — is matching the machine's capability envelope to the job's actual requirements. Three measurements determine the right machine: working height, horizontal reach, and the site conditions.
Working height is the maximum height a person can work from the elevated platform. Horizontal reach is how far out from the machine's base the basket can be positioned at height. Site conditions — floor type, ground condition, slope, access width, overhead obstructions — determine which machine type can actually be used on your site.
Cherry pickers (truck-mounted EWPs)
A truck-mounted cherry picker is the most versatile option for outdoor work: it drives itself to the site on public roads, deploys quickly from its outriggers, and achieves working heights from around 12m up to 30m or more depending on the unit. Terex, Altec, Nifty Lift, Elliott and Versalift truck-mounted units are the most commonly hired cherry pickers in Australia.
Cherry pickers are particularly well-suited to overhead electrical work, arborist and tree services, telecommunications installation and maintenance, street lighting and signage, roofing access, and any outdoor work that requires a fast setup and move-on capability. They are not suited to enclosed indoor spaces — the truck chassis and outrigger footprint make indoor deployment impractical.
Self-propelled boom lifts
Self-propelled articulating and telescopic boom lifts (from Genie, JLG, Haulotte, Skyjack and Snorkel) are the standard choice for construction site access across Australia. They drive around the site on their own wheels, do not require a truck, and can work in areas that a truck-mounted cherry picker cannot access.
Articulating boom lifts can fold around obstacles and position the basket with the truck on the other side of a wall or fence. Telescopic boom lifts achieve greater horizontal reach on open sites. Both types require suitable ground conditions — rough terrain models for construction ground, standard models for sealed or smooth surfaces.
Scissor lifts
Scissor lifts are the right choice for indoor work on smooth surfaces, for two-person crews with tools and materials, and for work that requires a stable platform at a fixed height rather than reach over obstacles. Electric scissor lifts produce no direct emissions, making them the only appropriate option for enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
For outdoor construction ground, rough terrain diesel scissor lifts — from Genie, JLG, Haulotte and Skyjack — handle the uneven surfaces and slopes that indoor slab models cannot. Ensure the machine's rated slope limit matches the actual site gradient before confirming the hire.
What to confirm before the machine arrives
- Current inspection certificate — every hired EWP, cherry picker, boom lift or scissor lift must have a current annual inspection certificate. Ask for it before the machine arrives on site.
- Operator manual — must be on the machine or available to the operator.
- Working height and reach confirmation — confirm the machine's envelope diagram matches the job geometry, not just the headline working height figure.
- Deck width vs access — measure the narrowest point the machine must pass through (doorways, gates, corridors) and confirm the machine's stowed width fits.
- Ground conditions — confirm the hire company knows the site ground type, slope and any underground hazards so the right machine is specified.
- Fuel type and emissions — confirm electric machines for enclosed spaces; diesel or bi-energy for outdoor or poorly ventilated sites.
What drives EWP and cherry picker hire cost in Australia
Hire rates for access equipment in Australia are driven by working height, machine type, hire duration and delivery distance. Cherry pickers and truck-mounted EWPs typically carry a higher day rate than equivalent-height self-propelled boom lifts, because the truck chassis, insurance and fuel add to the hire cost. Rough terrain machines cost more than slab machines of the same height. Operators — if provided by the hire company — add a significant daily cost above the bare machine rate.
Weekly and monthly hire rates offer meaningful discounts over daily rates for longer duration projects. For projects running several weeks, purchasing a machine versus long-term hire is worth comparing — particularly for scissor lifts and smaller boom lifts where the capital cost is lower relative to extended hire.
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.