Running a business in Perth? Then you will understand that creating something that can be accessed on your premises is not just the right thing to do — it is also the law.

But here’s the tricky part. The compliance burden can be so overwhelming that many business owners believe they know what’s required, only to find themselves in a scramble when they are slapped with compliance issues.

The reality is, when it comes to disability access requirements in Western Australia, it’s about more than just popping a ramp at the front of your premises. And if you’re running a multistory commercial property, those needs become significantly more complex.

What the Disability Discrimination Act Really Means for Perth Businesses

Businesses should always aim to provide ‘access for all’. This duty is imposed by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) on all businesses. Sounds straightforward? Think again.

For multi-storey businesses in Perth, this demands that wheelchairs, walking aids and other mobility impairments can be conveniently managed on all levels. You cannot tell customers or disabled employees they have to “make do” with ground floor access.

Here’s the catch: the DDA applies equally to buildings in existence as of the date of the statute as to new construction. That office building you’ve been leasing for years? If you can’t find it, you may encounter major compliance problems.

The good news? Thanks to modern disability platform lifts, many of these can now be added without too much of an impact on the structure of the building.

Perth’s Push for Accessibility: Council Initiatives You Need to Know About

Perth has made great strides in recent years. Their Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2025 has some pretty lofty goals. Accessibility audits are now underway among local councils across the metro area, and they’re unearthing gaps everywhere.

Perth councils last year handed out more than 200 orders to provide disabled access to commercial premises. The pattern is clear: they’re not just going after new developments anymore.

What does it all mean for your business? Alright, you get the point — unless, of course, you haven’t had an accessibility audit recently. The councils are moving methodically through commercial districts, and getting caught flat-footed is not pretty.

The Real Cost of Non-Compliance (It’s More Than You Think)

In 2023, a Perth restaurant was ordered to pay $45,000 in damages after a customer in a wheelchair was unable to access their upstairs dining area. A platform lift would have cost less than $30,000.

But it’s not just a matter of lawsuits. The combined spending power of Australia’s 4.4 million-strong population of people with disabilities exceeds a staggering $13 billion per annum. That’s a whole market segment so many Perth businesses unwittingly leave out.

Point is: a shopping centre in Fremantle experienced 23% more foot traffic when they installed access lifts. Not only people with disabilities but also their families and friends are drawn to accessible venues.

Real Perth Case Studies: When Accessibility Improvements Paid Off

Numbers don’t lie, but sometimes they don’t tell the full story either. What really convinces business owners to invest in accessibility improvements? Real results from real Perth properties. Here are two examples that show exactly how lift installations transformed businesses – and their bottom lines.

Case Study 1: The Subiaco Office Complex

A six-storey office building in Subiaco was losing tenants due to accessibility issues. Solution: a modern Koyo elevator system for $85,000. Result: full occupancy within three months and 15% higher rental rates.

This case illustrates exactly why the Australian Human Rights Commission emphasises that building owners need to understand their DDA obligations.

Case Study 2: The Northbridge Restaurant

A popular restaurant was losing function bookings because customers couldn’t access the upstairs room. A LiftingItalia platform lift cost $28,000 and required no pit or major structural changes. Within six months, function bookings increased by 40%.

These examples show why the City of Perth’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan emphasises business benefits alongside compliance.

What Perth Business Owners Actually Need to Know About Lift Requirements

Here’s where many get confused. Opinions Don’t assume because you are renovating a second floor fit-out that you have to fit a full passenger lift. The needs vary depending on:

Height of building & building usage: Remember, if your business is located in a building that’s over two storeys, or to get to upper levels there are essential services, then it’s a very safe bet that you will need mechanical access solutions.
Existing vs. new builds: Commercial builds that are new must be built to comply with current accessibilities from day one. Buildings already up must make “reasonable accommodations” — and that bar is always rising.
Employee responsibilities: Don’t forget your staff. All organisations will need to check, he says, that they have “reasonable workplace adjustment” if they employ anyone with a disability – or even if they are considering hiring one. That frequently entails lift access to all working areas.

The key takeaway? Get professional advice early. Inevitably, what appears to be a simple request is one squeezing grey areas where only seasoned accessibility consultants can navigate.

Modern platform lift systems, like those from LiftingItalia that we supply throughout Perth, require:

No lift pit
No extended shaft tops
No separate machine room
Minimal building modifications

These systems can be installed in heritage buildings, tight spaces, and even outdoor areas. They’re also significantly more cost-effective than traditional passenger lifts.

For larger commercial properties, contemporary traction lifts from manufacturers like Koyo offer:

Quiet operation with minimal vibration
High energy efficiency
Precise floor-to-floor alignment
Readily available spare parts

The installation process is also much less disruptive than it used to be. We recently installed a commercial lift system in a functioning Perth office building over a weekend. Monday morning, business continued as usual.

Breaking Down the Real Investment Numbers

Let’s get specific about costs because that’s usually the first question.

Platform lifts for basic accessibility: $25,000 – $45,000 depending on travel height and specifications. This covers most two to three-storey requirements.
Commercial passenger lifts: $60,000 – $120,000 for up to six floors. Variables include building requirements, finish specifications, and any structural modifications needed.
Ongoing costs: Modern lifts are surprisingly economical to run. Energy consumption is typically less than a household air conditioner, and maintenance costs average $2,000-3,000 annually.

But here’s the thing about return on investment. We’ve tracked several Perth installations, and the average payback period for accessibility improvements is 18-24 months through:

Increased customer accessibility
Higher property values
Improved staff retention
Reduced insurance premiums
Avoidance of compliance penalties

The Perth Advantage: Why Local Expertise Matters

Building restrictions in Perth are different and local knowledge is key. We have a climate, a soil type and a practice protocol that provide plenty of unknowns for interstate companies who predominate one to think to be overconfident.

Special applications are required when heritage overlays are in the suburbs, such as Fremantle and Subiaco. (According to the most recent building codes, new construction is now required to meet certain accessibility requirements.) And the limestone-heavy construction of Perth can complicate traditional lift installations.

And to have to deal with local suppliers is code for real deal products that have been specifically designed for Perth conditions. We know which councils require what approval, what local properties have special requirements, and how to get through the red tape in record time and hassle-free!

Planning Your Accessibility Upgrade: Where to Start

You’re now ready to take some steps for accessibility. Smart choice. But where do you really start? That process can be overwhelming, especially while you’re keeping the compliance amateur from butting headfirst into budgets and business.

Here’s a nuts-and-bolts blueprint you won’t spend the rest of your life second-guessing.

Step 1: Obtain an accessibility assessment from a professional. Don’t attempt to work out DDA requirements on your own – the laws are complicated and subject to change.

Step 2: Understand your timeline. Council approval may take 6 to 12 weeks and installation schedule is subject to manufacture and delivery terms.

Step 3: Take stock of your complete accessibility picture. Access is only a part of an accessible environment. Consideration needs to be given to door widths, bathrooms, parking and signage.

Step 4: Plan for the future. Putting in a lift system that is not upgradable or expandable may save money at first, but will cost a lot more in the long run.

Making the Business Case Internally

And if you’re not the decider, here’s how to make a strong case:

Transference of risk: Highlight the legal risk and increasing amount of complaints concerning accessibility issues due to non-compliance.
Market opportunity: Illustrate the size of the disability market, and what that implies for accessibility.
Property values: In the commercial property market in Perth, accessible buildings can command higher rental rates and sale prices.
Built to last: Only more stringent accessibility requirements in the future. Putting it in now is not dodging even more random, more expensive fixes down the road.

And, you know, frame it as an investment in business, not just compliance and the cost. People respond better to opportunity, those in control in particular, than they do to obligation.

The Bottom Line for Perth Businesses

Accessibility compliance isn’t going away. If anything, the mandates are becoming more expansive, and the crackdowns are getting tougher. Businesses that are ahead of this trend will not only stay out of trouble with regulators — they’ll be ahead of their competition.

Contemporary improvements in lift technology have made accessibility upgrades more practical than ever. Platform lifts can be fitted where it isn’t possible to have a traditional one. Commercial lifts now have reliability and built-in convenience that was not found in previous systems.

The real issue is not whether you can afford to make your Perth business accessible. It’s whether you can afford not to.

If you’d like to begin investigating lift options for your commercial property or would like some guidance regarding Perth’s accessibility rules, we are here to assist. With more than 20 years in the Market, and relationships with world class manufacters like LiftingItalia, Koyo, Tresa, etc. we can design the answers that suits to you and not only your pocket.

Call us for a free consultation now. Why? Because in the competitive business world of Perth, accessibility isn’t merely a mandatory requirement, it’s just good business!