A lift is an item of plant that is, or is intended to be, permanently installed in or attached to a structure, in which people, goods or materials may be raised or lowered within a car or cage, or on a platform and the movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides, and includes:

  • a chairlift, escalator, moving walkway and stairway lift; and
  • any supporting structure, machinery, equipment, gear, lift well, enclosures and entrances.

Lifts in private residences are small in size, slow in speed and have travel restrictions. They are designed for a specific purpose and can vary in the way they look and operate. In most cases they are contained within a lift shaft although some may travel along a stairway as a platform, seat or bespoke arrangement depending on the needs of the owner.

For information about commercial lifts refer to Lifts Commercial (link).

Hazards

  • Child Entrapment in Door Gaps: the most severe hazard in older home elevators occurs in the space between the exterior door and the interior elevator gate or car door. If this gap is too large, a child can slip through and become trapped; when the elevator is called to another floor, they can be crushed or killed.
  • Crushing and Shearing: inadequate or improperly calibrated obstruction detection systems can lead to limbs being crushed by closing doors or moving platforms.
  • Passenger Entrapment: lifts can experience mechanical malfunctions or electrical faults, trapping occupants inside. This is especially dangerous if the cabin lacks an integrated communication system or a manual battery backup to lower the lift to the nearest floor.
  • Uncontrolled Movement / Falls: malfunctions involving brakes, drive systems, or safety locks can cause the lift to move unexpectedly or cause a passenger to fall into an open, unguarded shaft when the cabin is on a different level

Safety requirements

  • all lifts must have a safe entry and exit at the base of the lift-well and a sign in the lift, to indicate its safe working load and a current plant registration number.
  • when undertaking lift maintenance, ensure barriers are placed across the lift opening when it's being worked on, install secure platforms on which to work and ensure the worker is protected from falling objects.
  • every lift must have an emergency communication system to enable assistance in the event that passengers are trapped.

Purchasing a lift

As the homeowner you should be well informed about the type and model of the lift design, otherwise you may be left with a lift that doesn’t meet your needs.

Before committing to the installation of a lift, you should ask the lift supplier:

  • about the safety features of the lift.
  • what arrangements are in place in case you become trapped, such as contacts, response time and entry to the home.
  • about their after-sales service arrangements for servicing and breakdowns (ask to see a lift they have installed and speak to the homeowner about the service they received).
  • are they familiar with the South Australian WHS legislation relevant to lifts?
  • can they provide a copy of the design registration?
  • who takes responsibility for the item of plant registration process?

The homeowner should be well informed about the type and model of the lift design, otherwise the owner may be left with a lift that doesn’t meet their needs.

Registration

Lifts in private residences require both design and item of plant registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design Registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

Completing an application for design registration

Every lift installed in South Australia must have an Australian design registration and comply with South Australian legislation, this includes lifts manufactured overseas. The WHS legislation may vary between States and Territories, and item of plant registration may be refused in South Australia even though the design registration is recognised in another state.

Design Registration requires verification from both the Designer and Design Verifier before registration can be approved.

The Designer must be satisfied through engineering calculations that all the lift devices such as the machines, ropes and sheaves are at the appropriate level of safety in accordance with the published technical standards or engineering principles being used. The Designer must be satisfied that the design is safe and declare that they “have complied with the Designer’s obligations under Section 22 of the WHS Act 2012 (SA) in respect to the design of the plant.”

A Design Verifier is a person who is suitably qualified and meets the definition of a competent person within the WHS Regulations 2012. The Design Verifier has the important role of determining through their own assessment that the design is in accordance with the Designers’ instructions and published technical standards or engineering principles. They must also declare that “they were not involved in the production of the design; and that the design was produced in accordance with the published technical standards and/or engineering principles specified in the Designer’s statement and documents.”

Once a design is registered, there is no restriction on the number of lifts that can be manufactured, provided they comply with the design registration. The registration holder must ensure the design registration number is provided with each supplied lift.

An application for design registration must contain:

  1. a statement signed by the Designer of the item of plant
    1. stating that the Designer has complied with the Designer's obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act in relation to the design, and
    2. specifying the published technical Standards and/or any engineering principles used in the design.
  2. a design verification statement that is
    1. written and signed by a person who is eligible to be a Designer Verfier for the design of the item of plant, and
    2. declares that the design was produced in accordance with published technical Standards or engineering principles specified in the statement, and
    3. include
      1. the name, business address and qualifications (if applicable) of the Designer Verifier, and
      2. if applicable, the name and business address of the organisation for whom the Designer Verifier is employed, and
      3. a declaration stating that the verifier for the design of an item of plant was not involved in the production of the design.
  3. representational drawings of the design.
  4. any other documentation that may assist in determining compliance of the design.
  5. a completed application form with payment.

Designer and design verification requirements

The application form includes a specific section with all required fields for the Designer and Designer Verifier to complete.

The Designer and Designer Verifier may be employed by the same organisation, providing that the Designer Verifier has not been involved in the production of the design. The design verification process must be independent of the Designer.

If the Designer or Designer Verifier is located overseas and unable to complete their section of the application form, they may submit a separate letter of declaration. Any separate statement must provide the equivalent required information and declaration in English. They must also fully understand their duties under South Australian WHS legislation. Penalties apply for provision of false or misleading information.

See WHS Regulations, Chapter 5, Part 3, for a full explanation of the design registration process, including the duties of Designers and Designer Verifiers.

Registering an alteration to a lift design

When a lift is first design registered, the design is based on certain criteria and specifications that set a minimum level of safety. If the level of safety is altered and requires new risk control measures, then an application for the design alteration must be submitted to SafeWork SA.

Examples of where the level of health and safety may be altered include:

  • increase or decrease in speed
  • change to the number of suspension ropes
  • changes to the traction method or type
  • changes to the load capacity
  • changes to the size of the car
  • increase or decrease in the travel height
  • changes to electrical, control or mechanical configuration of the lift system.

Repair and maintenance using like-for-like replacement parts is not considered an alteration, even if those parts are manufactured by a different company.

Notification back to the issuing regulator is not required where the alteration is considered cosmetic and the level of health and safety is not altered. These include changes to the:

  • car interior
  • car operating panel
  • car lighting and landing fixtures.

A design alteration notification must be submitted to SafeWork SA before the alteration commences. The lift must not be placed into service until registration is granted.

Any alterations, including replacement parts, must be compliant to the latest requirements.

Replacement parts

Motor replacement

If a motor has malfunctioned, requires replacement, and is replaced with a like for like motor then this constitutes a repair and not an alteration. No alteration to a design application is required. Like for like may include a motor with the same specifications from a different manufacturer. This may happen if an identical motor is not available due to age.

If however, the replacement motor increases the speed, loading, capacity, or alters the level of safety from the original design, then notification of the alteration is required. In most cases other related parts of the lift system would similarly require alteration.

Wire rope replacement

This is generally considered a repair and not an alteration. No alteration to a design application is required.

If however, the number or size of the wire rope was altered (and therefore the level of safety is altered) an application for design alteration must be lodged with SafeWork SA.

Lift controller replacement

If the safety function and risk control measures of the new controller are like for like with the old, then no notification is required. Like for like may include a controller with the same specifications from a different manufacturer. For example: if an old relay type controller is being changed to a microprocessor type controller, the new controller must be assessed against the risk control measures of the old controller.

However, in most cases, a new controller will incorporate additional safety features which are monitored or controlled in a different manner to the old. This could include the addition of a variable frequency drive. In instances where safety features have changed, an application for design alteration must be submitted to SafeWork SA.

Each controller replacement must be assessed individually and on a case-by-case basis. In addition, most new controllers will involve some additional alteration to the lift system.

When replacing a controller, you should consider if:

  • there is an increased risk to safety due to the mode of control being used
  • the safety inputs and outputs to the new controller have changed
  • there are additional control measures being utilised to monitor the speed, loading and operation of the lift such as tachos, encoders, variable frequency drives
  • the speed, loading, travel, height have been altered
  • the control of the safety circuit has changed.

Plant Registration

Plant registration – Guidance notes

To register the item of plant:

Plant item registration

Plant - Variation / Change of ownership

Each individual lift must have an item of plant registration and comply with South Australian requirements before it can be placed into service. As the lift owner, you are responsible for the item of plant registration. In most cases, the lift company will submit the documentation including the fee to SafeWork SA on your behalf.

The registration fee for a lift in a private residence only applies when the lift is first registered. Lifts must be re-registered every 5 years but there is no ongoing fee for private lifts located in the house in which you reside. This does not include any fees that a lift company may apply for ongoing service and repair to the lift.

You will receive an invoice from SafeWork SA before the renewal date. The invoice will have no fee attached to it. The invoice includes a declaration which you must sign and return to SafeWork SA to renew the registration for a further 5 years.

By signing the declaration, you are declaring that the lift is being maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and is safe to operate. In absence of the manufacturer’s instructions, a competent person may be engaged to assess the frequency of the examination and testing, but this period must not exceed 12 months from the date of installation.

Documentation requirements for item of plant registration

To register plant for the first time in South Australia or to renew lapsed registration, the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online application form including fee payment.
  • Design Registration Certificate or a Design Approval Letter issued pre-July 1996, or exemption letter.
  • Statement from Competent Person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Commissioning Report (prior to first use in Australia) detailing all the data recorded during the commissioning process.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

If you are applying for transfer of ownership of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of purchase.
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a Commissioning Report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).
  • letter from former owner confirming date that transfer of ownership occurred and that they no longer have management or control of the plant.

If you are applying to make changes to other information of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of change(s).
  • where the change relates to a design alteration, then a copy of the design registration for the alteration and any relevant changes to recorded information
  • statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate reflecting the updated information (if applicable).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

Note:

Once the application has been processed, SafeWork SA will send the owner a certificate of registration which contains the registration number. You must display the registration number on or near the lift (usually inside the lift car).

Commissioning report

A commissioning report contains the technical information from the final set up of a lift. The type and extent of the tests are based on the manufacturer’s instructions and the mandatory requirements from the technical design Standard.

This may include:

  • speed and over speed settings
  • load and over load settings
  • governor settings
  • safety gear settings
  • governor pull through/safety gear pull on settings
  • car rail slides based on the type of safety gear being used and the speed of the lift
  • buffer tests
  • pit and overhead clearances
  • shaft and landing clearances
  • hydraulic pressure and overpressure settings
  • testing results from all safety features
  • electrical tests

Some components used in the lift installation are pre-calibrated or pre-set from the manufacturer to assist in the overall installation. Whilst this is a time saver it does not negate component testing during the commissioning process. Settings can be affected due to handling or transport, or not correctly set in the beginning. It is vitally important that all pre-set components are verified for correct operation.

The type and usage of a lift will determine the extent of information that the commissioning report contains. A high speed lift, for example, in a multi-story building will contain significantly more information than a 2 story private resident lift. There is no standard template for a commissioning report, each lift company develops their own based on the type of lift.

The commissioning report provides evidence that all the appropriate tests have been conducted and the results are in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the technical Standard applicable.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration.
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures.

Inspection and maintenance

  • conduct regular inspections.
  • If a lift malfunctions, the lift service company should be called to assist anyone trapped.
  • the lift must be put out of service by the service company or building management until it is repaired.
  • never exceed the lift capacity stated inside the lift.

Lift upgrade or replacement

Like most other types of moving mechanical machinery, lifts reach a stage where they begin to develop performance issues and maintenance costs can become high. This is usually when the lift has reached or exceeded its design life. The owner of the lift may need to make a decision whether to upgrade or replace the lift, escalator or moving walkway.

In some instances, the owner may be able to resolve the performance issues by a service or repair. In other instances where the problem becomes more severe, greater works, such as a full or partial upgrade may be necessary.

The owner of the lift should always consult with a competent person before making any decision on an alteration or replacement. A competent person is best placed to give guidance on the most appropriate solution to restore performance. They also ensure compliance with WHS legislation, the current codes of practice, the original manufacturers’ instructions, and conduct a risk assessment.

The competent person may be a consultant with engineering experience, employee of a lift company, or an individual with industry experience. Whoever is engaged, they must meet the definition of a competent person as defined within the WHS Regulations.

When assessing the condition of a lift consideration should be given to:

  • the operational history of the lift, such as frequency of break downs, trapped passengers, stoppages from out-of-alignment relative to building floor level, door malfunctions, or any general performance deemed below manufacturer specification
  • the service history, including any testing and repairs made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  • the ride quality, such as any noisy, bumpy, or harsh movements or any unusual vibrations that have developed while the lift is moving or stationary
  • the availability and cost of replacement parts
  • an industry history of poor performance that could identify potential hazards or risks to users
  • better performance measures or safeguards offered by newer technologies
  • compliance to current Approved Codes of Practice and WHS legislation.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to AS 1735 and WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further Information

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 - Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 236 – Lifts
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS 1735: Lifts, escalators and moving walks

Codes of Practice

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Registration requirements

Q1. What are the registration requirements for lifts in private residences?

In South Australia all lifts are classified as high risk plant under the Work Health and Safety legislation (WHS Reg. Schedule 5 Part 1). Every lift must be granted design and item of plant registered before they are placed into service. The supplier of the lift must ensure the design is registered before supply and installation.

Q2. Are there any registration fees?

Lifts installed in private residences incur a fee when the lift is first registered. There are no subsequent registration renewal fees, unless the lift is installed in a private residence that is not the primary place of residence of the lift owner (e.g. installed in an investment property). The registration fee is separate and unrelated to any fees that a lift company may require from you (owner) for ongoing service and repair to the lift.

All lifts are registered with SafeWork SA for a 5-year term. The owner will receive an invoice from SafeWork SA before the renewal date. The invoice will have no associated fee provided it is the primary place of residence of the lift owner. The invoice does have a declaration which the owner must sign and send back to SafeWork SA to renew the registration for a further 5 years.

By signing the declaration, the owner declares that the lift is being maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and is safe to operate. In absence of the manufacturer’s instructions, a competent person may be engaged to assess the frequency of the examination and testing, but this period must not exceed 12 months.

Q3. Who can apply for design registration?

  • a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that designs an item of plant may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.
  • a person with management or control of an item of plant at a workplace may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.

Q4. Does each lift require individual design registration?

No, once the design is registered, there is no restriction on the number of lifts that can be supplied, provided they comply with the registered design. The registration holder must ensure the design registration number is provided with each lift that is supplied.

Q5. Is interstate design registration recognised in South Australia?

Yes, interstate design registrations are recognised in South Australia in accordance with the WHS Act and Regulations, however, it is important to ensure the lift design also complies with South Australian legislation.

Q6. Does each manufactured lift require item of plant registration?

Yes, each lift must be individually registered before being placed into service.

The item of plant registration number issued by SafeWork SA is specific to that lift.

The design registration number issued by SafeWork SA or an interstate regulator is unique to that model of lift and must be permanently displayed on or near the lift.

Q7. What information should the Commissioning Report contain?

A commissioning report contains the technical information from the final set up of a lift. The type and extent of the tests are based on the manufacturer’s instructions and the mandatory requirements from the technical design standard.

Some components used in the lift installation are pre-calibrated or pre-set from the place of manufacturer to assist in the overall installation. Whilst this is a time saver it does not negate component testing during the commissioning process. Settings can be affected due to handling or transport or not correctly set to begin with. It is vitally important that all pre-set components are verified for correct operation.

The type and usage of a lift will determine the extent and type of information that the commissioning report contains. A high-speed lift, for example, in a multi-story building will contain significantly more information than a 2-story private residence lift. There is no standard template for a commissioning report, so each lift company develops their own based on the type of lift.

Q8. What happens after I submit an application for plant registration?

After SafeWork SA receives an application and fee payment has been receipted:

  1. SafeWork SA will check each section of application form and supporting documentation. It is important that correct information is provided.
  2. If any information is missing, SafeWork SA will contact the applicant. This may cause delays in processing.
  3. Once details are checked and any amended documents received the application will be registered.
  4. A registration certificate will be sent to the applicant following approval. The certificate will contain information as submitted in the application form, the applicant details and item of plant registration number. The registration number must be displayed on or near the lift (usually inside the lift car).
  5. The design registration is valid for the life of the plant.

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