When Is a Stairlift the Right Recommendation?

A stairlift is typically appropriate when the participant has a permanent disability that affects their ability to safely negotiate stairs, the participant lives in a multi-level home and needs to access upper or lower floors for essential daily activities such as sleeping, bathing or toileting, relocating essential living areas to a single floor is not practical or would not adequately meet the participant's needs, and the participant has the physical and cognitive capacity to safely operate a stairlift, or has a carer who can assist with operation.



The key consideration the NDIA looks for is that the stairlift is reasonable and necessary — meaning it is directly related to the participant's disability, it represents value for money, and there is no simpler or lower-cost alternative that would meet the need.

What to Cover in Your Assessment

When assessing a participant for a stairlift, we'd suggest covering the following areas as they tend to be what the NDIA and plan managers look for in the recommendation report.

Functional capacity on stairs: Document the participant's current ability to use stairs. Note any pain, fatigue, falls history, fear of falling, use of handrails, need for assistance, and how the limitation impacts daily routines. Be specific — "the participant is unable to safely ascend 14 stairs to access the only bathroom in the home" is stronger than "the participant has difficulty with stairs."

Home layout and alternatives: Document why relocating essential activities to one floor is not viable. For example, if the only bathroom or bedroom is upstairs, or if the downstairs layout cannot reasonably be modified to include these facilities. Include the staircase configuration — straight or curved, number of steps, any landings or turns, and the width of the staircase.

Stairlift suitability: Note that the participant can safely transfer on and off the stairlift seat (or platform, for wheelchair users), that they can operate the controls or have a carer who can assist, and that the staircase is suitable for a stairlift installation. If you're unsure whether the staircase is suitable, we're happy to do a joint site visit or review photos and measurements.



Goals alignment: Link the recommendation to the participant's NDIS goals. Stairlifts typically support goals around independence at home, safety, accessing all areas of the home, and reducing reliance on informal supports or carer assistance.

Stairlift Types — A Quick Reference

It helps to know the basics of what's available so you can recommend the right type in your report.

Straight stairlifts are suitable for a single flight of stairs with no bends or turns. They are the most affordable option, with installation typically completed in a few hours. Our Synergy Straight Stairlift has a maximum user weight of 125kg and features a slim rail design that leaves room for others to use the stairs.

Curved stairlifts are required for any staircase with bends, turns, corners or intermediate landings. The rail is custom-manufactured to match the exact staircase, so there is a manufacturing lead time. Our Infinity Curved Stairlift is built to measure for each installation.

Outdoor stairlifts are available in both straight and curved models with weatherproofing for external steps and entrances.

All our stairlifts include seatbelts, obstruction sensors, emergency stop functions, and battery backup in case of power outage.

Tips for a Smooth Approval Process

We understand that your time is limited and your caseload is full. Our goal is to make the stairlift process as easy as possible for you and your client.

When you refer a client to us or contact us about a stairlift assessment, we will visit the home to assess the staircase and confirm which stairlift model is suitable, provide a detailed quote that meets NDIS requirements and can be submitted directly to the plan manager, liaise with the plan manager on approval if needed, schedule installation at a time that works for the client, and provide a full handover and demonstration.



We can also provide you with product specification sheets and brochures for any of our stairlift models if you need them for your report.

Areas We Cover

Bespoke Mobility services all of NSW including Sydney metro, Western Sydney, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, and the South Coast. We also service all of QLD.

Get in Touch

If you have a client who may benefit from a stairlift, or if you'd like to discuss a case before writing your recommendation, we're always happy to chat. We can also arrange a joint site visit if that would be helpful.

Call us on 1300 495 572, email info@bespokemobility.com.au, or fill in our contact form.



We're an NDIS registered provider, DVA approved, and the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts — the UK's leading stairlift manufacturer and winner of Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.