By Daylan Kempster, Assistive Technology Specialist and Director of Mobility Co
If you are looking for a wheelchair in Melbourne, you are welcome to come and try one in person at our Cheltenham showroom. We keep a real range on the floor, from super light folding chairs you can lift into the boot on your own, through to comfortable self propelled and powered wheelchairs. Rather than guessing from a photo online, you can sit in a few, feel the difference, and take home the one that genuinely suits the person who will use it.
Most people who come to see us are sorting a wheelchair for themselves, a parent or a partner, often after a change in health, a hospital stay, or simply because getting out and about has become harder work than it used to be. There is no single best wheelchair. The right one depends on who is pushing it, how far you are going, what fits in the car, and how much you value light weight over comfort. Here is how we help you narrow it down.
In short: Mobility Co supplies wheelchairs across Melbourne, including lightweight, transit, self-propelled, power and bariatric wheelchairs. Try them in person at our Cheltenham showroom at 2/136 Keys Road, or call 1300 225 203. We help NDIS, Home Care Package, Support at Home and private customers, and can hire as well as sell.
Find the right wheelchair for your needs
Someone else does the pushing (transit or attendant chairs). If a carer or family member will do the steering, a transit wheelchair with smaller rear wheels is lighter and easier to manage. The Aspire Vida Attendant Propelled is a good example, a genuinely light folding chair that is easy to load and unload for appointments and days out.
You push yourself (self propelled chairs). If the user has the arm strength and reach to move themselves, a self propelled chair with large rear wheels gives independence around the home and out in the community. The Aspire Vida Self Propelled folds down small and is easy to live with.
Light weight is everything (travel and lifting). If lifting the chair in and out of the car is the daily struggle, weight matters most. The Aspire VIDA MG is made from magnesium and weighs about 6.7 kg, so it is far kinder on the back. The Aspire Aerolite Carbon Fibre range is another very light option.
You want powered independence. If self propelling is tiring or not realistic, a powered wheelchair does the work for you. The Aspire Aerolite Carbon Fibre Powerchair folds and is light enough to travel with, while the Whill Model C2 is a premium powerchair that turns in tight spaces and handles kerbs and uneven paths with ease.
A larger or heavier user. Comfort and a safe, supportive fit come first here. The Aspire Evoke 2 HD is a heavy duty folding chair with a wide seat, around 570 to 610 mm, and a 190 kg capacity.
Not sure if you need a walker or a wheelchair. The Aluminium 2 in 1 Hybrid Walker and Wheelchair does both, so you can walk with support and sit and be pushed when you tire, which is ideal for longer outings.
Wheelchair types, explained simply
A few plain definitions make choosing much easier:
Transit wheelchair. A chair with four smaller wheels, designed to be pushed by a carer. It is lighter and more compact, but the person in the seat cannot self propel.
Self propelled wheelchair. A chair with large rear wheels and hand rims so the user can move themselves, while still being pushed when needed.
Lightweight wheelchair. A manual chair built from aluminium, carbon fibre or magnesium to keep the weight down, which makes lifting, folding and transporting far easier.
Power wheelchair. A battery powered chair controlled with a joystick. It suits people who find pushing tiring or difficult, and it keeps them independent for longer.
Heavy duty or bariatric wheelchair. A reinforced chair with a wider seat and a higher weight capacity, built for comfort and safety for larger users.
Why buy your wheelchair with us in Cheltenham
Buying a wheelchair is not really about the chair, it is about keeping someone comfortable, safe and able to get on with life. That is easier to get right when you can try before you buy. In our showroom you can compare chairs side by side, check that a folded chair actually fits your car, and make sure the seat width and back support are right for the person who will spend hours in it. If you only need a chair for a short time, you can also hire a wheelchair from us instead.
We work every day with occupational therapists and families across Melbourne, so we are happy to talk through measurements, doorways, ramps and transfers, not just the product. If funding is part of the picture, we can help you understand your options through the NDIS, a Home Care Package or Support at Home, and we can supply DVA clients too. Once you have chosen, we deliver and set up around Bayside and the wider Melbourne area.
See also: power and electric wheelchairs in Melbourne for powered options.
Frequently asked questions
What types of wheelchairs can I try in Melbourne?At our Cheltenham showroom you can try transit chairs, self propelled manual chairs, ultra light travel chairs, powered wheelchairs and heavy duty options, all in one visit. Sitting in a few and comparing them side by side is the best way to find the chair that genuinely suits the person who will use it.
How much does a wheelchair cost?It depends on the type. Simple manual transit chairs are the most affordable, lightweight carbon fibre and magnesium chairs cost more because of the materials, and powered wheelchairs are the largest investment. Rather than quote a vague figure, we will give you a clear, itemised quote for the exact chair and any accessories you need.
How wide is a wheelchair, and will it fit through my doorway?A standard adult wheelchair is usually around 600 to 660 mm wide overall. Most internal doorways in Australian homes are 720 to 820 mm, so a standard chair fits comfortably, but older or narrower doorways are worth measuring. If space is tight, we can point you to narrower chairs that still seat well.
What is the difference between a transit and a self propelled wheelchair?A transit wheelchair has four smaller wheels and is designed to be pushed by a carer, which makes it lighter and more compact. A self propelled wheelchair has large rear wheels with hand rims so the user can move themselves. If the person has the strength to push, self propelled gives more independence.
Which is the lightest wheelchair you have?One of the lightest we stock is the Aspire VIDA MG, made from magnesium and weighing about 6.7 kg. Chairs like this make a real difference if you regularly lift the wheelchair in and out of a car, since every kilogram counts when you are doing it several times a day.
Can I get a wheelchair through the NDIS or a Home Care Package?Often, yes. Wheelchairs can be funded through the NDIS, a Home Care Package or Support at Home, and we support DVA clients as well. The path depends on your plan and your goals. We work with occupational therapists every day and are happy to help you and your OT get the right chair approved.
Can I try a wheelchair before I buy it, and do you deliver around Melbourne?Yes to both. You are welcome to come and try our wheelchairs at the Cheltenham showroom with no pressure, and once you have chosen, we deliver and set up around Bayside and the wider Melbourne area. Trying first is the surest way to avoid buying a chair that does not quite fit.
Related equipment and buyer guides
Categories, hire options and guides that pair well with choosing a wheelchair.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent, highly skillful team who understand the specific needs of the disabled and elderly. The furniture is very well engineered and the team is able to explain how to use their chairs and beds in a way which supports the huge varieties in people's individual needs and body shapes. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Is it always great dealing with Dayan. He is honest reliable and gives great service. Will be very happy to buy of home any time. Thanks Dayan.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great to deal with and had a big range of equipment. Thanks daylan for helping me chose the right chair while recovering from back surgery
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My grandpa recently bought an electric mobility scooter from Mobility Co in Cheltenham, and he couldn't be happier.
He said the team was incredibly patient, friendly, and took the time to help him find the right mobility scooter for his needs and height. They answered all of his questions and explained the different options and what to look for and never made him feel rushed or pressured.
Seeing the range of scooter options in the showroom made it easy for him and mum to find the right scooter.
If you're looking for a mobility scooter in Melbourne, I'd definitely recommend visiting Mobility Co. The service was genuine, professional, and made the whole process easy for both my grandpa and our family.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our family bought an adjustable bed and mobility scooter for my grandpa from Mobility Co and the whole experience was fantastic. Great showroom in Cheltenham, genuine advice with no pressure, and delivery and set up were sorted within days. Grandpa loves both, he's more comfortable at night and getting out and about again. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an excellent experience with Mobility Co. Daylan was fantastic in helping my parents choose a mobility scooter, an adjustable bed, and a recliner. Nothing was too much trouble, and he truly went above and beyond to make the process easy for us.
He even offered to bring equipment to us if getting to the showroom was difficult. When we visited the showroom, we were given plenty of time to try everything without feeling rushed, and the team made us feel very welcome by offering refreshments.
The service didn't stop after the purchase. Daylan personally visited before delivery to check there were no access issues, and then came back afterwards to make sure everything was set up properly and to explain how to use the equipment again.
The customer service was outstanding from start to finish. Daylan's kindness, patience, and genuine care made all the difference. We highly recommend Mobility Co to anyone looking for quality mobility equipment and exceptional service.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to Daylan of Mobility Co. for his excellent service and kindness to my mum .
If you need any help in the mobility area I would definitely recommend visiting Mobility Co. in Moorabbin .
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an extremely nice experience today at Mobility Co. Took my 92yo friend to test ride-on scooters. The staff couldn't have been more attentive. Never rushed, which is very important to an older person. My friend and I would highly recommend this company.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience with Mobility Co. The team was friendly, knowledgeable, and took the time to understand exactly what I needed without any pressure. Their customer service was outstanding, and they made the whole process easy and stress-free. The quality of their products is excellent, and they genuinely care about helping customers find the right solution. I highly recommend Mobility Co. to anyone looking for reliable mobility equipment and exceptional service. Thank you to the team for your professionalism and support!
About the author
Daylan Kempster is an Assistive Technology Specialist and the Director of Mobility Co, with close to ten years of experience helping older Australians, people living with disability and those recovering from surgery find equipment that fits real homes and real lives. Connect with Daylan on LinkedIn.
