Scissor lifts are one of the most commonly misused pieces of access equipment on Australian work sites — not because operators are reckless, but because the machine looks simpler and safer than a boom lift, which can lead to complacency about the rules that apply. In Australia, scissor lift operation is regulated by Safe Work Australia and state-based work health and safety authorities, and the rules cover who can operate the machine, how the site must be prepared, and what must happen before anyone goes up.
Do you need a licence to operate a scissor lift in Australia?
In most Australian states and territories, operating an elevating work platform that has a boom — an articulating or telescopic arm — above a certain platform height requires a High Risk Work (HRW) licence. Scissor lifts, however, are typically classified differently: they are vertical-travel machines that do not have a boom, and in most jurisdictions they do not require an HRW licence to operate.
This does not mean that anyone can simply jump on a scissor lift and go. A scissor lift operator must still be trained and assessed as competent before they operate the machine. The training requirement exists across all states regardless of whether a formal licence is required. Many sites — particularly large commercial construction projects — require operators to hold a certificate of competency issued by a registered training organisation (RTO) even where the law does not mandate a formal HRW licence.
Licensing requirements change over time and vary between states. Always verify the current requirements with the relevant state WHS authority before putting an operator on any access equipment.
Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) requirements
Operating a scissor lift is classified as a high risk construction work activity in Australia when it involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres. This triggers the mandatory requirement for a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) identifying the risks and the control measures in place before work begins.
A SWMS for scissor lift operation should cover: the specific machine being used, the surface conditions and slope assessment, wind speed monitoring approach, exclusion zone management, fall restraint requirements, emergency procedures, and the rescue plan if the platform becomes disabled at height.
Fall restraint inside the basket
Most scissor lifts used in Australia are classified as enclosed-platform machines where the guardrail system provides primary fall protection. In this configuration, a fall restraint harness is generally not required while the operator remains inside the guardrail.
However, some site-specific rules — particularly on large construction projects — mandate harness use in all elevated work platforms regardless of the platform type. Site induction materials usually make this clear. Where a harness is required, it must be connected to an anchor point rated for the task — not just looped around the handrail.
Leaning over the guardrail, working from a plank or ladder placed on the scissor platform, or climbing the guardrail to reach higher are all prohibited and are common causes of falls from scissor lifts in Australia.
Ground conditions and slope limits
Every scissor lift has a rated maximum operating slope — the steepest grade on which it can be elevated safely. This figure is published in the machine's operator manual and is shown on the data plate. Operating the machine on a slope beyond this limit reduces the stability margin and can result in tip-over even without any mechanical fault.
Ground conditions also affect scissor lift stability on indoor sites. Expansion joint covers, drainage grates, ramp transitions and soft vinyl or tiled surfaces can all affect the machine's stability when elevated. Before operating on any non-standard floor surface, confirm that the surface can support the machine's point loads and that the machine's tyres will not slip or deform under load.
Wind speed limits
Scissor lifts have a maximum rated wind speed — shown on the data plate — above which the machine must not be elevated. Wind acting on the platform and any personnel or materials in it creates a lateral load that the scissor lift's stability system must resist. Exceeding the wind speed limit reduces stability and can cause the platform to oscillate, making work unsafe and increasing structural fatigue.
For outdoor scissor lift operation in Australia, wind speed must be monitored throughout the shift — not just assessed at the start. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly on elevated sites. If wind speed exceeds the machine's rated limit, the platform must be lowered and operations halted until conditions improve.
Exclusion zones on the ground
When a scissor lift is elevated, the area beneath and immediately around the machine must be managed. Tools, materials and debris can fall from the platform and injure people below. An exclusion zone on the ground — barricaded and signed — must be maintained around the machine's footprint while it is elevated.
The size of the ground exclusion zone depends on the height of the platform and the nature of the work being done. On active work sites, this zone must be communicated in the SWMS and enforced by the site supervisor.
Pre-start checks: every time
Before elevating any scissor lift, the operator must complete the pre-start checks, which include:
- Checking the machine's certification and inspection tags are current.
- Inspecting tyres, wheels and drive components for damage.
- Testing all controls — up, down, drive, tilt alarm — before leaving the ground.
- Checking the emergency lowering function is operable from the ground.
- Confirming battery charge level or fuel level is adequate for the planned work.
- Assessing the ground surface, slope and any overhead obstructions.
- Recording the pre-start check in the machine's logbook.
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.