More Australians are deciding to stay put and renovate rather than sell up and move. And honestly? It makes sense. With land in short supply and housing prices through the roof, upgrading your current home is often smarter than starting from scratch somewhere new.
According to Housing Industry Australia (HIA), after several successive interest rate cuts helping to relieve pressure on household finances, the industry finally appears to be positively geared towards growth for 2026. This includes a significant uptick in renovation investment.
For instance, in New South Wales, renovation investment is expected to outpace Victoria by nearly 50 per cent in 2026, highlighting the growing appetite for home improvements over relocation.
For Australians planning to stay in their homes as they age, one renovation stands out as particularly transformative: home lift installation.
Stairs in Multi-Level Homes
Many homes feature architectural barriers that become increasingly difficult to navigate with age. Stairs, split levels, and steep entries may seem manageable now, but they can quickly become daily obstacles for:
- Older adults experiencing reduced mobility
- People recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions
- Anyone living with temporary or permanent mobility challenges
- Families caring for elderly relatives
These barriers pose genuine safety risks. Falls on stairs are one of the leading causes of injury among older Australians, and the fear of falling can lead to social isolation and reduced quality of life.
Beyond mobility concerns, even everyday tasks become exhausting when stairs stand in the way. Carrying groceries, moving furniture, transporting laundry, or bringing a pram up and down multiple levels transforms simple chores into significant physical challenges.
Why Install a Lift at Home
Installing a lift at home offers a solution that addresses safety, independence, and convenience in one elegant package.
Improved Safety and Fall Prevention
The most compelling reason to consider residential lifts is safety. A home lift eliminates the primary fall risk in multi-storey homes. Unlike stairlifts, which still require users to transfer on and off the device, a home lift provides seamless, enclosed transport between floors. This means no more worrying about balance, no more clutching handrails, and no more anxiety about navigating stairs in the dark or when feeling unwell.
Modern home lifts come equipped with advanced safety features, including emergency stop buttons, backup power systems, smooth braking, and overload protection, ensuring reliable and secure operation.
Maintaining Independence
For many older folks, the ability to move freely throughout their home directly correlates to their sense of independence and dignity. A home lift means being able to access every part of your home without assistance, without planning around someone else’s schedule, and without compromising your autonomy.
This independence extends to family members as well. Parents with young children can easily move prams, toys, and baby equipment between floors. Anyone recovering from surgery or managing a temporary injury can continue to use their entire home rather than being confined to ground-floor rooms.
Daily Convenience for All Ages
While safety and accessibility are primary considerations, the convenience factor of home lifts in Melbourne and home lifts in Sydney extends to every household member, regardless of age or mobility status.
Moving groceries, luggage, laundry baskets, furniture, and even assisting elderly pets between floors becomes effortless. For families with young children, transporting prams and baby equipment no longer requires multiple exhausting trips up and down stairs.
Future-Proofing Your Home
Installing a home lift is an investment in your future. Rather than waiting until mobility challenges arise, many forward-thinking homeowners are choosing to incorporate home lift installation as part of their long-term property planning.
This proactive approach makes sure your home can adapt to your changing needs over decades, potentially allowing you to remain in the home you love well into retirement.
Value and Cost Comparison
When considering whether to install a lift at home, it’s important to evaluate the financial implications compared to the alternative: selling your current property and purchasing a more accessible one.
The Costs of Relocating
Selling and buying property in Australia’s major cities comes with substantial costs. Real estate agent fees typically run 2-2,5% of the sale price, while conveyancing, legal fees, and stamp duty in New South Wales and Victoria can range from tens of thousands for higher-value properties.
Home Lift Installation as an Alternative
In contrast, residential lifts represent a one-time investment that transforms your existing home. While costs vary depending on specifications, customisation, and building requirements, many homeowners find that installing a lift at home is significantly more affordable than relocating when all costs are considered.
Moreover, unlike the sunk costs of selling and buying, a home lift adds tangible value to your property.
Property Value Enhancement
Homes with lifts increasingly appeal to a broader range of buyers. As the population ages and multi-generational living becomes more common, properties that offer accessibility without compromising on style command premium prices.
A well-designed lift installation demonstrates modern amenities, future planning, and luxury convenience while eliminating the need for buyers to undertake major accessibility modifications themselves.
Choosing the Right Home Lift Solution
When you’re ready to explore home lift installation, partnering with experienced specialists ensures you get a solution tailored to your needs.
Quality providers offer customisation to match your home’s architecture, compliance with Australian Standard AS 1735, professional installation by factory-trained technicians (typically within 10-12 working days), ongoing maintenance plans with 24/7 emergency assistance, and energy-efficient traction lifts with cost-effective operation.
For Melbourne homeowners, home lift installation services provide local expertise with deep understanding of Victorian requirements.
Is a Home Lift Right for You?
A home lift makes sense if:
- You’re planning to stay in your current home for the long haul
- You’ve got multiple floors you’re using regularly
- You’re thinking ahead about retirement
- You’ve got family members who’d benefit from easier access between floors
- You just want to add something special that makes your property more valuable
More Australians are realising that renovating beats relocating, and home lift installation is becoming one of the most popular upgrades around. It solves immediate problems while setting you up for the future.
Whether you’re planning ahead, supporting a family member, or just want to make life easier and boost your home’s value, a professional lift installation is a solid investment in your property and your quality of life. And with the renovation market heating up in 2026, now’s a great time to explore what a home lift could do for your space.
