How Long Should a Wheelchair Ramp Be? Australian Ramp Length Guide

One of the most common questions when choosing a wheelchair ramp is simple: how long does the ramp actually need to be?

In most cases, ramp length is determined by the height you need to overcome and the recommended gradient for that height.

Whether you're creating access at a front door, garage, patio or internal transition, choosing the right gradient helps make a ramp safer and easier to use.

Wheelchair Ramp Length And Australian Standards

In Australia, ramp gradients are commonly referenced using AS 1428.1.

These standards are primarily intended for commercial and public environments and provide guidance for accessible design.

For residential installations, these requirements are generally not mandatory, however they remain a useful best-practice guide.

Height Difference	Typical Maximum Gradient
Up to 35mm	1:8
Over 35mm to 190mm	1:10
Over 190mm	1:14

For example, a 90mm rise constructed at a 1:10 gradient aligns with Australian accessibility guidance.

Ramps can still be constructed outside these recommendations, however they may no longer align with Australian Standards.

Australian Standards Are Not Always Practical For Residential Use

While it is strongly recommended to follow Australian Standards wherever possible, there are situations where this simply isn’t achievable.

Space limitations, existing site conditions and property layout constraints can all influence what is practical.

For many residential installations, the goal is often to achieve the gentlest practical gradient while still creating safe and usable access.

For public and commercial settings including schools, retail stores and other publicly accessible buildings, compliance requirements may become more important.

Threshold Ramps vs Portable Wheelchair Ramps

The type of ramp that makes the most sense can also change depending on the height you need to overcome and how the ramp will be used.

Threshold ramps are often a great solution for smaller rises and everyday access points around the home.

At Wheelchair Outfitters, our Tyrex threshold ramp range includes standard sizes designed for rises up to 160mm, making them suitable for applications such as:

• Front doors
• Sliding doors
• Garage access
• Internal transitions
• Patio entries
• Small external steps

For larger height differences, situations where a gentler gradient is preferred, or where a removable solution is needed, portable wheelchair ramps may become a better option.

Portable wheelchair ramps are commonly used for:

• Entry steps
• Temporary access
• Travel
• Vehicles
• Community and commercial settings

Occupied vs Unoccupied Wheelchair Use

The ideal ramp gradient can also depend on how the ramp will be used.

Use	Typical Practical Guidance
Occupied wheelchair	Maximum gradient around 1:8, however 1:10 or flatter is generally preferred where practical
Unoccupied wheelchair	Steeper gradients may sometimes be manageable depending on the application

This becomes more relevant as ramp lengths increase or where space limitations influence the available gradient.

Need Help Choosing The Right Ramp?

If you know the height you need to overcome, we can usually help narrow down suitable options.

Browse our range of threshold and portable ramps or contact us for advice.