Why it Pays to Choose Australian-Made Wheelchairs

There are so many reasons why Australian-made wheelchairs are the way to go.

Back in the day when Glide first established itself in the early 1970s, the opportunity to purchase quality Australian-made wheelchairs just wasn’t available. For users and carers, this often meant lengthy waits that could drag on for months while wheelchairs were shipped from overseas, together with issues with sourcing spare parts or maintenance when required.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s luckily a very different story. Australian-made wheelchairs are now very much available, offering cutting-edge innovation, comfort and technology to suit every need and lifestyle. At Glide, we’re proud to provide local support, expert advice and leading capabilities right here in Western Australia, backed by an experienced team with a dedication to making things easier for our customers.

So, why does it pay to choose an Australian-made wheelchair? Here are a few reasons below.

Save time and money on transport costs

Shipping a wheelchair from overseas doesn’t just take a long time, but adds up to lots of extra upfront costs through shipping fees and other associated transport costs. Plus, if your wheelchair is coming via cargo ship, it could be months before you are united with it.

Wheelchairs purchased overseas will also often arrive dismantled, which means it’s up to you to put it together – and put it together right. For people with mobility issues, this can be incredibly challenging, not to mention stressful.

When you order an Australian-made wheelchair, you’ll not only have to wait a much shorter time to receive your wheelchair, but the cost to get it to you is also far less. Definitely something to consider!

Compliance with Australian Standards

Australia has a number of strict Standards covering the transport of adults and children in wheelchairs. These include:
-        A speed limit of 10 km/h for powered wheelchairs
-        Safety requirements for brakes (including emergency stop brakes)
-        Safety requirements for batteries and chargers

The Australian Standards are designed to enhance safety wherever possible, and must be adhered to at all times. All Australian-made wheelchairs are made to meet Australian Standards, so you’ll have the peace of mind to know your safety is always front of mind. Overseas models may not meet these strict Standards, which means they may be illegal to use here in Australia. Always do your research before you buy, as you don’t want to make any costly mistakes.

Enjoy better peace of mind

While you can receive a warranty on most wheelchair models bought overseas, how that warranty applies to you under Australian laws is a much bigger grey area. Australian warranty is covered under the Australian Fair Trade Act, which provides extensive protection to consumers, should you ever need it.

Another thing to consider is the fact that even if your warranty claim is accepted overseas, you will often have to foot the bill to send your faulty wheelchair back to the supplier (and then have to wait all over again for it to be returned back to you). Buying Australian-made wheelchairs helps to offer greater peace of mind should anything go wrong, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Easier repairs and replacements

Should you ever need spare parts for your wheelchair, it can be much harder to source these if you have purchased an overseas model (and if you purchase them overseas, you have to play the waiting game all over again). When you purchase an Australian-made wheelchair from Glide, you can rest assured we have the spare parts you need, as well as the local expert support to offer quality servicing when you need it. 

Designed for Australian conditions

At Glide, all our wheelchairs are designed to suit our unique Australian conditions. This includes suitability for a diverse range of terrains, together with materials designed to suit our climate and increase comfort wherever possible. Overseas models don’t always offer the same attention to detail, so you might find yourself missing out on a better fit for your lifestyle.

Supporting local jobs and communities

When you buy an Australian-made wheelchair, you’re not just receiving a quality product and greater peace of mind, you’re also doing your bit to support local jobs, communities and our economy as a whole. Win/win!

At Glide, we’re incredibly proud to be based here in Western Australia, helping to drive opportunities for wheelchair users, carers and support networks as a whole for more than 40 years. We’re proud to be a local Australian brand that our customers can always trust, and we will always stand by the quality and innovation of products made right here.

If you’d like to talk to our team to find out more about our range of wheelchairs, spare parts or customisation options, we’re here to help. Contact our team or your nearest distributor today to find out more.