Scissor lifts are plant under Australian work health and safety legislation, which means they are subject to formal inspection and certification requirements that go beyond routine servicing. Missing an annual inspection, failing to keep the logbook current, or operating a machine with a lapsed certification is a compliance breach that exposes operators, owners and site managers to prosecution — and leaves workers without the assurance that the machine has been independently assessed.
Annual inspections
Every scissor lift in active service in Australia must undergo a formal annual inspection carried out by a competent person. This is distinct from routine servicing: an annual inspection is a documented structural, mechanical and safety assessment of the machine's condition against the applicable standard, with findings recorded and retained as part of the machine's compliance history.
The annual inspection covers structural members, welds and fasteners; hydraulic cylinders, hoses and fittings; electrical systems and controls; safety devices including tilt alarms and overload sensors; guardrail integrity; and the condition of tyres, wheels and drive components. A machine that passes annual inspection receives an inspection certificate specifying the next due date.
Major inspections
At certain points in a scissor lift's service life — determined by the machine's age, class and usage — a major inspection is required. This is a more comprehensive assessment than the annual inspection: the machine is disassembled to the extent necessary to examine safety-critical components that cannot be assessed in a visual annual inspection, including welds, pins, bearings and internal structural members.
The timing of the major inspection milestone depends on the machine's classification under the applicable Australian Standard — it is not the same for every scissor lift. An inspector can determine the correct milestone for a specific machine from its data plate, class and service history.
Logbook requirements
Scissor lifts in Australia must be accompanied by a logbook recording all servicing, repairs, inspections and modifications. The logbook is part of the machine's compliance documentation and must be available for inspection on request by a WHS inspector, a site supervisor or an auditor.
A machine without a current logbook — or with a logbook that has gaps in its service history — raises immediate questions about what was done, when, and by whom. Missing logbook entries are a common compliance finding on site audits and can result in the machine being placed out of service until the documentation is reconstructed or verified.
Who can inspect and certify a scissor lift?
Annual and major inspections must be carried out by a person who is competent — by training, qualification and experience — to assess scissor lifts against the applicable Australian Standard. This is not the same as a general mechanic or a service technician who maintains the machine. The inspector must be able to assess structural integrity, identify defects, apply the relevant standard, and produce a formal inspection certificate.
Design registration is a separate requirement that applies to plant designs — not individual machines — and is managed at the state level. When purchasing a used scissor lift in Australia, confirm that the machine's design is registered in the state where it will be operated, and that the inspection and logbook documentation is complete and current.
Buying a used scissor lift: compliance checks
Before purchasing any used scissor lift in Australia, verify:
- The current annual inspection certificate is valid and shows the correct machine serial number.
- The logbook is present and shows a continuous service history with no unexplained gaps.
- The data plate is present, legible and matches the machine's documentation.
- If a major inspection milestone has been reached, confirm it was completed and documented.
- Any modifications to the machine have been assessed and signed off by a competent engineer.
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.