Australia’s vertical transport industry is changing rapidly. Advances in technology, evolving regulatory expectations, increasing focus on energy efficiency and safety, and growing international alignment are reshaping the way lift installations are designed, installed and maintained.
These changes formed the focus of the Australian Industry Group’s Industry Forum – The Future of Lift Installations in Australia, where AAVT and Standards Australia were invited to present on the issues shaping the future of Australia’s vertical transport industry.
For AAVT, the forum reinforced an important message: as the industry continues to evolve, Australia’s standards framework must evolve with it.
Representing AAVT, Chief Operating Officer Rod Austin-Eames explored the practical changes occurring across the sector. Growth in residential lift solutions, changing regulatory requirements and the introduction of new technologies and products are expanding the scope of Australia’s vertical transport industry and creating new expectations for standards, compliance and industry capability.
Chief Executive Mark Liversedge broadened that discussion by examining the international standards landscape. He highlighted the increasing reliance on ISO and European Standards and the importance of ensuring Australia remains aligned with international best practice while continuing to develop standards that reflect local operating environments.
Importantly, Mark also highlighted the need to reactivate the ME-004 Lift Installations Committee to help guide future standards development and ensure the industry has an active forum for considering emerging priorities.
Complementing this perspective, Nayan Das, Senior Manager – Building Sector at Standards Australia, outlined the standards development process and shared Standards Australia’s plans to reinvigorate ME-004. He also highlighted several areas expected to influence future standards development, including cybersecurity, energy efficiency, accessibility and the need to develop the next generation of technical experts.
Taken together, these presentations reflected a common objective: ensuring Australia’s standards framework remains contemporary, practical and responsive to an industry undergoing significant change.
While standards provide the technical foundation for the industry, their ongoing relevance depends on collaboration between industry, regulators and Standards Australia. Equally important is maintaining the technical expertise needed to develop those standards, particularly as experienced professionals retire and a new generation of industry leaders emerges.
For AAVT, this collaborative approach is fundamental to the future of Australia’s vertical transport industry. By contributing industry expertise, supporting the development of Australian and international standards, and working alongside Standards Australia, regulators and industry stakeholders, AAVT is committed to helping ensure Australia’s standards continue to support innovation while maintaining the highest levels of safety, quality and public confidence.
AAVT thanks the Australian Industry Group for hosting this important forum and Standards Australia for its ongoing collaboration in supporting the future development of Australia’s vertical transport industry.