One of the most common compliance blind spots for EWP owners is the major inspection. Unlike the annual inspection — which simply recurs every twelve months — the major inspection falls due based on the machine's age and equipment class, and the clock starts from the date of manufacture, not from when you bought it. Getting the timing wrong means running a machine that is technically out of compliance without realising it. This guide explains how the major inspection timing works and what to do if you are unsure.
Major inspection timing depends on equipment class
Under AS 2550.10, the interval before a major inspection is due varies by the class of machine. Some equipment classes reach the first major inspection milestone at five years from manufacture; others reach it at ten years. The relevant class and interval are set by the applicable standard, not by the manufacturer's service schedule or by convention.
This means you cannot assume a single answer applies across your fleet. A scissor lift and a truck-mounted boom — both EWPs — may be subject to different major inspection intervals depending on how they are classified. The safest way to confirm is to check the machine's class against the current applicable standard or speak with a qualified inspection provider.
The clock runs from manufacture, not from purchase
The major inspection interval counts from the machine's date of manufacture, not from when it entered service with you or when you acquired it. For owners who have purchased used equipment, this distinction matters significantly.
A machine built ten years ago that was recently purchased may already be at or past its first major inspection due date regardless of how recently it was serviced or how few hours it carries. Before buying a used EWP, checking the manufacture date and the inspection history is as important as checking the mechanical condition.
After the first major inspection, the cycle continues
The major inspection is not a once-in-a-lifetime event. After the first major inspection is completed, the cycle repeats on the same interval — either 5-year or 10-year depending on the equipment class. A machine that passed its first major inspection at ten years is due again at the next major milestone.
Completing a major inspection successfully extends the machine's documented service life. For a structurally sound machine in otherwise good condition, investing in a thorough major inspection is often the most cost-effective path forward.
Annual inspections do not substitute for the major
A common misunderstanding is that a machine kept current on its annual inspections has satisfied its major inspection requirement. It has not — the two inspections answer entirely different questions and run on separate clocks.
The annual inspection confirms the machine is safe to work this year. The major inspection re-verifies the machine's structural integrity at depth — including non-destructive testing and teardown — after years of loading and environmental exposure. No number of annual inspections removes the requirement for a major once the interval falls due.
How to work out when your machine is due
Start with the machine's compliance plate or logbook to establish the date of manufacture. Then confirm the equipment class against AS 2550.10 to determine the applicable major inspection interval — 5 years for some classes, 10 years for others. Apply that interval from the manufacture date to get the first due date, and check the logbook to see whether a major inspection has already been completed.
If the logbook is incomplete, or if you have recently acquired the machine and cannot trace its history clearly, it is worth engaging a qualified EWP inspector to assess the machine's current compliance status before putting it back into regular service.
What happens if the major inspection is overdue
A machine that has passed its major inspection due date without having the inspection completed is technically non-compliant. Using it on a worksite creates risk for the operator and exposure for the owner. The right step is not to simply continue operating while arranging the inspection — it is to assess whether continued operation can be justified on the basis of the machine's documented condition history, or whether it should be stood down until the inspection is completed.
In practice, arranging the inspection promptly is always the cleaner path. Inspectors can often advise on the most efficient approach depending on the machine's condition and the urgency of the situation.
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.