A 19 ft electric scissor lift (about 5.8 m platform, 7.8 m working height) covers most ceilings up to 6–7 m and typically hires for $100–$200 per day. Choose 26–32 ft models for warehouses and high ceilings, and rough-terrain diesel scissors for outdoor sites. No High Risk Work Licence is needed, but operators must be trained—many sites require an EWPA Yellow Card.
Work out the size you need
Scissor lifts are sold by platform height in feet. Working height is roughly platform height plus 2 m—the reach of a person standing on the deck. Measure to the highest point you must work at, then allow some margin for comfortable reach.
Deck size and platform capacity matter as much as height. Ceiling installers moving sheets, services trades with tool bags and two-person crews need a larger deck and rated load.
Electric slab or rough terrain?
Electric slab scissors have non-marking tyres, zero emissions and narrow chassis, making them the right choice indoors on concrete. They are not built for gravel, grass or slopes.
Rough-terrain scissors are diesel or hybrid, with four-wheel drive, higher ground clearance and often outriggers. They suit building sites and outdoor facades but are heavier and wider, so check access and the ground.
Check the floor and the doorway
Compare the machine's weight and wheel loads with the slab rating, particularly on suspended slabs, mezzanines, car parks and older timber floors. The supplier can give you point loads for the exact model.
Measure doorways, corridors and goods-lift dimensions and capacity. A 19 ft slab scissor is around 0.76–0.81 m wide, which gets through most single doorways; wider models may not.
Training and site rules
Scissor lifts do not require a High Risk Work Licence, but WHS law requires operators to be trained and competent. Many principal contractors require the Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA) Yellow Card, and harness requirements vary by site policy.
Outdoors, observe the machine's rated wind speed—many electric scissors are rated for indoor use only. Never drive elevated on uneven ground, and keep the platform clear of overhead power lines.
What drives the cost
Weekly and monthly rates are much lower per day than daily hire, so long fit-outs should be priced by the month. Delivery each way, damage waiver and battery charging arrangements are the other main line items.
- Delivery and pick-up (often the biggest cost on a short hire)
- Damage waiver and any excess
- Charging access on site, or fuel for diesel models
- After-hours delivery for occupied buildings
| Model size | Platform height | Working height | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 ft electric | ≈ 5.8 m | ≈ 7.8 m | Ceilings, lighting, fit-outs, retail |
| 26 ft electric | ≈ 7.9 m | ≈ 9.9 m | Warehouses, schools, higher ceilings |
| 32 ft electric | ≈ 9.75 m | ≈ 11.75 m | Warehouse racking, high-bay lighting |
| 40 ft electric | ≈ 12 m | ≈ 14 m | Large warehouses and factories |
| 26–50 ft rough terrain | ≈ 7.9 – 15 m | ≈ 9.9 – 17 m | Building sites, facades, outdoor work |
Approximate figures; specifications vary by make and model. A 19 ft electric scissor typically hires for about $100–$200 per day in metro areas, ex GST and delivery.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a scissor lift?
A 19 ft electric scissor lift typically hires for about $100–$200 per day in metropolitan areas, with weekly and monthly rates much lower per day. Delivery, damage waiver and GST are extra.
Do you need a licence to operate a scissor lift in Australia?
No High Risk Work Licence is required for scissor lifts, but operators must be trained and competent. Many sites require the EWPA Yellow Card.
What size scissor lift do I need for a 6 m ceiling?
A 19 ft scissor lift, with about a 5.8 m platform and 7.8 m working height, is usually enough for a 6 m ceiling.
Can you use an electric scissor lift outside?
Only on firm, level hardstand and within the manufacturer's wind rating—many electric scissors are rated for indoor use only. For gravel, grass or slopes, hire a rough-terrain model.