For Australian building owners, strata committees, and facility managers, elevator safety compliancein Australia is not an optional extra; it is a fundamental, non-negotiable legal responsibility.
A building's elevator is one of its most critical assets, but it is also one of its greatest sources of potential liability. A failure in safety or compliance can have catastrophic consequences, exposing building owners to significant financial penalties, legal action, and irreparable damage to their reputation, not to mention the serious risk of injury.
Understanding your obligations under Australian law is the essential first step in managing this risk effectively.
Your Legal Duty as a Building Owner
Under Australia's Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, a building owner or strata body is considered a 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU). This designation places a primary duty of care on you to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the building's plant and equipment (including elevators) are safe and without risk to the health of tenants, residents, and visitors.
This duty is absolute. Ignorance of the regulations is not a defence, and this responsibility cannot be "outsourced," even if you have a maintenance contract. You are ultimately accountable.
The Cornerstone of Compliance: The AS1735 Standards
When a regulator assesses your compliance, they will measure your equipment and practices against the benchmark. In Australia, that benchmark is the AS1735 standards (Australian Standards 1735).
The AS1735 standards is the definitive national code for lifts, escalators, and moving walks. This is not a single document but a comprehensive multi-part series that governs every aspect of your elevator's lifecycle, including:
- Design and manufacturing specifications
- Safety features and mechanisms
- Accessibility requirements (linking to the Disability Discrimination Act)
- Mandatory testing procedures
- Required maintenance protocols
For a building owner, the AS1735 standards are the "rule book." Proving that your elevator is maintained in accordance with these standards is the key to demonstrating compliance.
You can learn more by exploring KONE's resources on codes and standards.
The Proactive Solution: Elevator Maintenance Regulations
The most effective way to manage your legal duty is through a proactive, professional maintenance program. The elevator maintenance regulations in Australia are clear: equipment must be regularly inspected, tested, and serviced by a competent person to ensure it remains safe for use.
This is where a professional partnership is critical. A comprehensive maintenance agreement with a provider like KONE is your primary tool for ensuring day-to-day compliance.
This service goes far beyond simply fixing breakdowns. It is a structured compliance program designed to:
- Conduct regular, scheduled lift safety checks to identify and rectify potential faults before they become failures.
- Perform all logged services and tests as required by the AS1735 standards.
- Maintain meticulous logbooks and service records, which serve as your essential proof of compliance in the event of an audit or incident.
This proactive approach is the difference between managing your risk and simply reacting to failures. You can explore KONE's comprehensive elevator maintenance solutions to see how a structured plan provides this peace of mind.
Closing the Gap: Elevator Modernisation Compliance
What about older buildings? A 20-year-old lift, even one that has been perfectly maintained, will not always comply with the latest AS1735 standards.
Safety and technology evolve, and standards are updated to reflect this. That older lift may lack modern safety features, have poor levelling accuracy, or fail to meet current accessibility requirements.
This creates a dangerous "compliance gap." While the lift may be functional, it presents a significant and foreseeable risk. In the event of an incident, "the lift was old" will not be an adequate legal defence.
This is where elevator modernisationcompliance becomes a strategic necessity. A modernisation project is not just a cosmetic upgrade; it is a critical safety and compliance investment. By replacing old, obsolete components (like controllers, door operators, and hoisting machines) with modern technology, you are:
Closing the compliance gap by bringing the asset up to modern safety standards.
Dramatically improving reliability and performance. Ensuring the elevator meets accessibility standards.
Protecting your asset and your tenants from foreseeable harm.
An elevator modernisation project is the definitive way to address the inherent risks of ageing equipment and ensure your building is safe and compliant for the long term.
Elevator safety compliance in Australia rests squarely on the shoulders of the building owner. By partnering with an expert provider like KONE, you can move from a position of risk to one of confidence, knowing your asset is supported by proactive maintenance and a clear strategy for modernisation.
To learn how a structured service plan can ensure your day-to-day compliance, explore KONE's comprehensive elevator maintenance solutions.
If your building is ageing, discover how an elevator modernisation project is the definitive way to address the inherent risks and close the compliance gap.