We hope you are not pulling your hair out over DDA compliance Perth restrictions! You’re not alone.

Landlords and property managers across Western Australia are currently facing a brave new world of rules and regulations as sweeping changes come into force this year – and on some fronts, at least, people are scrambling to keep up.

It’s not just bureaucratic box-ticking (the act is the Disability Discrimination Act). Now it’s a serious consideration that may act as the difference-maker for your commercial property’s accessibility — and, potentially, your legal footing.

However, interestingly, the 2024 revisions have, in some cases, made compliance easier while imposing stricter requirements in others.

The Real Cost of Getting DDA Compliance Wrong

So let’s begin with the obvious – the face of Perth’s commercial property market is changing very quickly. New builds are popping up across the CBD and outlying areas, meanwhile many older buildings are undergoing large-scale modifications. What many property owners do not appreciate is that relatively minor renovations may be enough to prompt a compliance check under the new regulations.

The Australian Human Rights Commission is focusing more on filing cases involving accessibility complaints. In fact, they’ve seen over 40% more disability-related complaints in the last 18 months than in the years prior. The majority of these concern the lack of a lift in commercial buildings – something that surely could have been planned for.

Nowadays that can get a little tricky. The 2024 changes are not limited to new installations. The current commercial lift compliance WA regulations have been extended to buildings that previously fell into a grey area in terms of being regulated and complied with. If you attract the public into your building — be it an office complex, a retail space or a mixed-use development — you’re probably subject to it.

Compliant access to premises under guidance from the Australian Human Rights Commission. This makes the point that compliance is not an option – it is a legislated requirement that applies to all new buildings and existing buildings engaging in renovations and modifications.

What’s Actually Changed in 2024?

The biggest change is for the platform lift requirements. In the past, smaller commercial buildings could sometimes get by with a bottom-level type of lift installation. Not anymore. The new regulations also prescribe space standards for cabins, minimum widths for door openings and requirements for more accessible positioning of control panels for wheelchair users.

But there’s an upside here. In some cases, the new regulations make approvals for Perth disability access lifts much easier. Buildings that put in compliant systems ubiquitously from approved manufacturers will be able to fast-track their certification – a process which previously took months. Contemporary wheelchair platform lifts are engineered from the outset to provide these new standards.

Another significant change is in maintenance plans. As part of their routine maintenance, commercial lifts now need to be tested for accessibility more regularly. This is not all bad news — in fact, it is enabling building owners to identify and rectify problems before they escalate into expensive repairs.

The Technical Stuff (Made Simple)

Here’s what property owners need to know about the 2024 updates:

Door entrances: At least 850mm (where new), Up to 800mm doors can be upgraded participated.
Capacity: Min 630kg (8 people) with wheelchair operation to be smooth
Control: Buttons at 900-1100mm above floor with Non-Zig opening /keep indicator.

These may feel like small details, but they mean the difference between fair compliance and potential discrimination claims.

Where Perth Property Owners Are Getting Caught Out

Here are the three biggest mistakes we’re seeing across Perth’s commercial property sector:

Insurance assumptions: Most policies explicitly exclude discrimination claims – compliance failures aren’t covered
Grandfathering misconceptions: Any significant modifications trigger full compliance reviews, even flooring changes
Contractor oversights: Using contractors who don’t understand current DDA requirements can worsen your compliance situation

That third point is particularly costly. Some Perth property managers learned these lessons the hard way this year, facing unexpected legal bills that could’ve been easily avoided.

Real Solutions That Actually Work

With commercially available top-rated lifting systems from well-established manufacturers, compliance becomes much easier. Companies like Koyo Elevators and Tresa – their products are available through local specialists – design their systems with the DDA in mind from day one

The platform lifts have been increasingly used in modern buildings where previous style elevator shafts are impracticable. These systems may be installed in places that were once thought impossible for lift access. Modern platform lifts have a massive carrying capacity which meets all necessary requirements for accessibility too.

Maintenance is crucial but often underestimated. Regular service isn’t simply a matter of mechanical reliability these days. It is also about keeping the compliance certification people. Professional lift maintenance providers understand the junction of technical performance and accessibility demands.

The Cost Reality Check

Let’s tell it like it is. New commercial lift installations are usually between $45,000 and $85,000. But that price doesn’t seem like much at all when you consider the alternative-if an employee brings discrimination charges and wins, you can easily wind up facing settlements that top $100,000 or more plus legal expenses.

For most types of commercial equipment we find that rather than installing brand new systems it is much more economical to simply fix what is already there. Conversion costs of about $15,000 to $25,000 for door wideners, retro-fitting control panels and fitting in raised platforms, improvements vice new installations are nothing compared with the cost of buying machines all over again.

Platform lifts provide another option for buildings where the traditional passenger lift will not work. These systems begin at about $25,000 for basic installations and can satisfy most commercial accessibility requirements without significant structural modification.

Planning for the Future

But smart property owners have grander demands. Retail: You can go from the bottom to the top simply sitting relative to the front doors. Spaces made ready for a wheelchair or scooter can command higher rents and draw better tenants.

In another source, to a miraculous box that’s a railway subway or even the stairs up an office block that some bright spark persuaded management should be replaced (because they’d be too dangerous for a blind man) can be accessible places.

These mere bagatelles, however, with a view of whomsoever the agency, are then developed and expanded in order that everybody under the aegis of your agency will at some time, now or then, feel a proper fit. That makes DDA-compliant homes potential gold mines.

And, the technology is currently progressing rapidly. When we first fitted these lifts here at Avondale just a few years ago, nobody thought the energy savings features were possible, and now the lifts on offer today are packed with all kinds of next-generation features. Like smartphone pairing, predictive maintenance alarms and umpteen sensor-based and software-controlled innovations, all of which keep the lifts of today at the right lift level for any project or application. This way, you’re also getting your investment ready for tomorrow.

Getting Professional Help (And Why It Matters)

It is crucial to select the right expert. Suppliers of lifts are very knowledgeable. They know the requirements of Local Councils in detail. They also know building codes and the Disability Discrimination Act at once. Your building can be assessed by these consultants.

They will then recommend suitable solutions and provide you with guidelines for correct registration, as well as brick documentation to satisfy local council requirements.

Maybe as well as industrial and agricultural doors it can add on systems for wisper quiet movement. The warranties on elevators by other famous manufacturers — Daldoss, Koyo and Tresa — are better. Their parts are more easily obtainable and they offer ongoing technical support too. And a spurious substitute can cause problems for years to come.

Also included with the valuable documentation is a professional installation and servicing team. Compliance is not just for people who have a membership card — it’s an assurance that you’ve met the requirements should questions pop up in future.

Making Compliance Work for Your Building

Here’s how to approach compliance strategically:

Professional accessibility audit first

Knowing precisely what your building needs saves avoid costly errors, it will also meet the actual requirements rather than guesswork. A good audit should reveal obvious problems, like narrow doorways, as well as less obvious ones, like poor lighting in elevators or lack of tactile indicators. The audits themselves cost $2,000 to $4,000 but avoid tens of thousands in mistakes and legal woes.

Phased improvements for tight budgets

A lot of buildings end up reaching a sort of minimum standard with tweaks along the way and gradually improve systems when they can afford it. Begin with basic lift changes and accessible entrances, and latterly upgrade signage and emergency communication systems. This places costs across multiple budget cycles but it keeps the momentum of compliance moving.

Document everything thoroughly

Keep installation certificates, maintenance records, and compliance assessments organised and accessible. Create a compliance file with original building permits, lift certifications, contractor qualifications, and regular inspection reports.

When disability access complaints arise, comprehensive documentation can mean the difference between quick resolution and lengthy legal proceedings. Use digital storage with cloud backup – paper records disappear when you need them most.

Moving Forward Confidently

DDA compliance doesn’t have to be scary. The 2024 changes have the welcome effect of removing a lot of the grey areas that have previously created confusion. Most buildings can achieve it easily and affordably with proper direction and the right tools.

The key, of course, is to start sooner rather than later. Regulatory mandates are not getting any softer, and waiting it out often results in costlier solutions. Qualified lift engineers will be able to visit you, clarify what your choices are and propose a cost-effective solution that complies with regulations and is practical to use.

Perth Commercial Property Market rewards investing in accessibility. Perth’s business property market rewards investing in accessibility. Perth’s industrial property market is lucrative to invest in because these kinds of assets rely heavily on access. Property that is designed inclusively and has full access becomes more valuable than property where the DDA has been considered an imposing imposition.

Remember: compliance doesn’t mean you did it, it should mean you just started. The most successful commercial spaces exceed minimum standards to create a truly welcoming environment for all occupants. That’s not only good business sense; it’s also part of what’s right.

Need help with DDA compliance for your Perth commercial property? Contact Alto Lift on 0416 199 267 for a no-obligation consultation about lift solutions that meet 2024 requirements and exceed expectations.