You've just found out that someone in your family needs a wheelchair ramp — maybe it's a temporary injury, maybe it's a longer-term mobility change. Either way, you need a solution fast, and the first question that pops into your head is: should I hire a wheelchair ramp or just buy one?
It's a fair question. Hiring sounds flexible. Buying sounds like a bigger commitment. But when you actually compare the numbers and the convenience, the answer might surprise you.
Why More Australians Are Choosing to Buy Instead of Rent a Wheelchair Ramp
Most wheelchair ramp hire companies in Australia charge between $40 and $100 per week depending on the length and type of ramp. That means a 4-week hire can cost $160 to $400 — and that's before delivery and pickup fees, which many companies charge separately.
Compare that to a portable folding wheelchair ramp that you own outright from $157. After just one or two weeks of hire, you've already spent more than the purchase price of a ramp that's yours to keep forever.
The Hidden Costs of Hiring a Wheelchair Ramp
On paper, hiring looks cheaper because you're only paying for the time you need it. But in practice, the costs stack up fast:
- Delivery and pickup fees — most hire companies charge $50–$150 each way
- Minimum hire periods — typically 1–4 weeks minimum, even if you only need it for a weekend
- Damage deposits — often $200–$500 held on your credit card
- Extension charges — if recovery takes longer than expected, you're paying week-by-week at full rate
- Availability — not always in stock when you need it, especially in regional areas
When you add it all up, a 6-week hire easily costs $600–$1,200. For context, our most popular 1.5m folding aluminium wheelchair ramp costs just $219 — and it's yours to keep, lend to a friend, or resell when you no longer need it.
When Hiring Actually Makes Sense
To be fair, there are situations where hiring is the better call:
- You need a very long permanent ramp (3m+) installed with handrails for a single event
- You need a modular ramp system with platform turns that requires professional installation
- It's a one-off event lasting less than 3 days (though even then, buying and reselling can be cheaper)
For everything else — temporary injuries, visiting elderly parents, making your home accessible while recovering from surgery — a portable ramp you own outright is almost always the smarter choice.
Portable Ramps Are More Versatile Than You Think
One of the biggest advantages of buying is that a portable wheelchair ramp goes wherever you go. It's not locked to one doorstep. You can use it at home, take it to a friend's house, throw it in the car for appointments, or set it up at a holiday rental.
Our folding wheelchair ramps fold in half for easy transport and storage. The 0.6m ramp weighs just a few kilograms and handles single steps easily. Need something longer? The 1.8m folding ramp ($279) covers most residential entrances and still folds compact enough to fit in a car boot.
What About NDIS Funding?
If you or a family member is an NDIS participant, wheelchair ramps may be covered under Assistive Technology or Home Modifications. This typically applies to purchased ramps — not hired ones. Buying gives you an asset that's yours, and in many cases the NDIS will fund it entirely.
Even without NDIS funding, the purchase price of a portable ramp is often less than a single month's hire cost. It's one of those rare situations where the more convenient option is also the cheaper one.
The Bottom Line: Buy Once, Use Anywhere
Unless you need a large permanent installation for a very short period, buying a wheelchair ramp beats hiring on cost, convenience, and flexibility. You avoid delivery fees, minimum hire periods, and the stress of coordinating pickup dates around someone's recovery timeline.
Browse our full range of wheelchair ramps starting from just $157 with free delivery Australia-wide. Every ramp is aluminium, lightweight, and rated to 250–270kg capacity.
