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. If you are looking for an equipment supplier specialising in low and mid cost AT - including recliners and pressure care cushions, then look no further than Mobility Co.
They are a lovely small business owned by a cute and lovely young couple.
They have a showroom downstairs and they have a workspace upstairs, which they allow mobile therapists to use when they are in transit, and seeking a place to make a cuppa/heat food and sit down to finish off some admin work!
Owner, Daylan is very responsive and has a wealth knowledge to help any buyer!
Customer car parking in the lot
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As an OT, I cannot recommend Daylan and his team enough. They always go the extra mile to help out. Their product knowledge is outstanding, and they consistently provide all the right information and practical suggestions for what will suit best. They are super easy to communicate with and seamless to work alongside. Highly recommended!
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We met our OT and Daylan at the extensive showroom in Cheltenham. From the minute my parents and I walked in the door, we felt like family. They genuinely cared about finding the best solutions for our needs. We ordered a recliner and a wheelchair and within two days, Daylan was personally delivering and installing everything. He is a super nice and caring person and made my parents feel comfortable and confident in what they were buying. It was a pleasure dealing with him and even nicer to be supporting a local family business. Thanks Daylan.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Daylan and the team at mobility co went above and beyond to help my Mum. They delivered, set up and followed up after delivery to ensure everything went smoothly. Highly recommend. Exceptional service and genuine care for the clients.
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As an OT who has worked with many different suppliers, Mobility Co really stands out. They have excellent product knowledge and combine this with genuine personal care of each client. Daylan and the team have been so wonderful to work with and are lovely people who are passionate about making a difference in the industry. Couldn’t recommend them highly enough!
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Daylan was extremely helpful, patient and so pleasant to deal with. His customer service was thoroughly outstanding, making my job of navigating My Aged Care for my mother so much easier.
It also was satisfying to support good people who own a small business. The attention to detail and follow up is second to none.
I highly recommend Mobility Co. They can really guide and assist you. Do yourself a favour!
RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RepOcean verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took my nan in to mobility co in Cheltenham to look at adjustable beds, Daylan gave her plenty of time to try a few and find the right one no pressure at all. They delivered it set it up and took the old bed away. Easy to deal with and way more helpful than a normal bed shop, good option for anyone in bayside.
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.
