ASTRIS PME

Power Assist for Manual Wheelchairs, Made for My Independence

Add powered support to your manual wheelchair with a solution matched to your chair, your everyday routine and your mobility goals.

Start with the person

Because one size doesn’t fit all...

Choosing a power assist device starts with understanding what you need help with in everyday life.

You may want to reduce the effort of manual propulsion, manage longer distances, tackle slopes more easily, improve community access or conserve energy throughout the day.

Different power assist systems work in very different ways. Your wheelchair, physical capacity, environment, transport routine, terrain, control needs and daily setup all influence which option is worth trialling first.

At Astris PME, we work alongside users, families and therapists to compare suitable options and trial them around the way you actually live.

MADE FOR ME...

Personalised power assisted wheelchair wheels for adults, children, families, therapists and support teams.

Book a Free Trial

Why choose Astris PME

Specialist Support for Power Assist Mobility

From understanding your goals to comparing devices, trialling equipment and ongoing support, our team helps you make a more informed power assist choice.

Free Power Assist Trials

Trial suitable options with your prescribing therapist and see how they perform in real-life situations.

Different Power Assist Styles

Explore front add-ons, powered wheels, rear add-ons and other power assist configurations.fe

Wheelchair Compatibility Checks

We help assess your wheelchair setup, mounting requirements and compatibility before moving forward.

Therapist Collaboration

Our Product Consultants work alongside occupational therapists, physiotherapists, users and support teams.

Funding & Documentation Assistance

Access product information, specifications and quotes that may support your funding application.

Ongoing Service & Support

Support continues after delivery with servicing, adjustments, education and practical assistance.

Power Assist Guide

Which Power Assist Style Should You Trial First?

There is no single “best” power assist device. The better question is: which style best matches your wheelchair, body, environment and everyday mobility goals?

Front Add-On

A powered unit attaches to the front of the wheelchair, often using handlebar controls and a larger drive wheel.

May suit

Longer outdoor journeys, uneven paths and users looking for a more bike-like driving experience.

Consider

Overall length, indoor manoeuvrability, docking and transport.

Hub Drive

Powered assistance is integrated into the wheelchair’s main wheels or wheel hubs.

May suit

Users who want to continue using push-rim propulsion with powered support when required.

Consider

Wheel weight, chair handling, transport and terrain.

Front-Position Friction Drive

A compact powered roller provides assistance through contact with the wheelchair’s main wheel.

May suit

Users looking for compact powered assistance without a large front attachment.

Consider

Tyre condition, traction and correct setup.

Rear-Position Friction Drive

Powered assistance is delivered through a drive positioned toward the rear of the main wheel.

May suit

Users looking for compact assistance with minimal equipment extending from the front.

Consider

Traction, braking, setup and maintenance.

Rear Add-On

A powered drive unit attaches behind the wheelchair and provides propulsion from the rear.

May suit

Users looking for powered assistance while retaining the basic format of their manual wheelchair.

Consider

Turning, reversing, docking, storage and transport.

How will you control it safely?

7 Things to Consider When Choosing Power Assist

Start with the goal, then match the device to the user, wheelchair, environment and real-world routine.

1

What problem are you trying to solve?

Longer distances, slopes, propulsion effort, fatigue or community access? Start with the real daily challenge.

2

Where will you use it?

Consider home, work, school, community, hills, grass, footpaths and indoor manoeuvring.

3

Will it work with your wheelchair?

Frame style, dimensions, wheel size, camber, centre of gravity and mounting points may affect compatibility.

4

How will you control it safely?

Consider grip, hand function, balance, braking, reversing, reaction time and docking ability.

5

Can you manage it every day?

Think about lifting, attaching, removing, charging, storing and transporting the device.

6

Does performance match your routes?

Range, speed and terrain performance can vary depending on the chair, user, gradient and surface.

7

Is power assist the right mobility path?

Where appropriate, compare power assist with a powered wheelchair or other mobility solutions.

Featured brands

Trusted Power Assist Brands

Explore power assist and wheelchair power add-on solutions from leading mobility brands available through Astris PME.

Klaxon

Front-mounted and compact power add-on options.

Alber

Powered wheel and drive systems for manual wheelchair propulsion.

Permobil / SmartDrive

Compact power assist designed around manual wheelchair use.

TODO Works

Compact powered mobility solutions for compatible wheelchairs

The trial journey

What Happens During a Power Assist Trial?

A useful power assist trial is about more than driving around a showroom. We look at how the device works with your wheelchair, your routines and the environments you actually need to access.

1

Understand Your Goals

Discuss daily challenges, routines, fatigue and mobility goals.

2

Check Your Wheelchair

Review configuration, frame and mounting requirements.

3

Select Options

Identify suitable power assist styles and products to compare.

4

Trial Movement

Test steering, stopping, reversing, turning and control.

5

Test Daily Handling

Practise attaching, removing, lifting, storing and charging.

6

Review Next Steps

Review suitability, quotes, funding information and support.

EDUCATION HUB

Learn More About Wheelchair Power Assist

Helpful resources for wheelchair users, families, therapists and support teams exploring manual wheelchair power assist options.

Blog

Finding the Right Power Wheelchair for Your Lifestyle

Enhancing your lifestyle each day at work, home and everywhere in between would be a little easier if your manual wheelchair could have the occasional power boost. Now you can, with the addition of a power assist device to your existing or new fixed or folding frame wheelchair. Experience the benefits of reducing your energy expenditure and overall frequency of upper limb movements during manual propulsion.

Read article

Blog

Power Assist - helping you make the choice

Enhance your lifestyle with a power assist device by adding it to your existing or new fixed or folding frame wheelchair. It reduces the energy expenditure required for effortful propulsion and reduces the overall frequency of upper limb movements during distance mobility.

Read article
Product Selection Guide 2026

Resources

Download our Product Selection Guide 2026

Explore our range of Assistive Technology solutions available from Astris PME.

FAQS

Power Assist Wheelchair FAQs

Helpful answers for wheelchair users, families, therapists and support teams considering power assist for a manual wheelchair.

What Our Valued Clients Have To Say...

It was great to have the Product Consultants from Astris PME come out to our workplace with a wide range of specialised equipment to demonstrate to our OT team. They were very knowledgeable about their equipment and were happy to answer all of our questions.

Catherine Mayhew

My 10yr old daughter has just received her new wheelchair in sparkly fluoro pink, with this seating system and it is awesome. We had a few hiccups at the start, but the always wonderful Astris PME came to the rescue – they always offer great service.

Louise Bedford

I just wanted to give a big shout out to Astris PME for fitting my son's wheelchair and ensuring his comfort and safety was paramount. Their professionalism can only be matched by their attention to detail when finding the right product for my son. The product itself has exceeded all expectations we had for a seating system. Thank you Astris PME.

Elise Webber

Just wanted to say a huge thanks to Astris PME. They have gone to huge lengths to make sure my daughters wheelchair is suitable, and I can’t fault their service and care. Thanks guys, we will be seeing you again.

Tracy Gorman

I wanted to say a huge thank you to Astris PME and their devoted reps who have delivered and fitted many pieces of equipment for my daughter Annelise. We have just taken delivery of her new wheelchair which was so desperately needed. Astris PME goes above and beyond to make sure Annelise is positioned and comfortable in every piece of equipment she has delivered.

Donna Buda

We want to extend a HUGE thank you to Astris PME for helping to get our beautiful daughter her Rifton Dynamic Walker in record time. She desperately needed it ASAP and the team made it happen! We are so grateful to have such a professional group of people dedicated to helping our children have the best possible life they can, buy providing them with the best possible equipment!! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

Kristie Chambers

We are very happy with Rohan's new chair - he loves it and looks so comfortable in it. The process to purchase went very smoothly and the sales representative was very supportive and friendly. We thank you for the custom-made head rest that suits him so well. Thank you Astris PME.

Robina Kefford

We would really like to thank Astris PME for loaning our son Aston a wheelchair so he could be the Easter Bunny at his Granny's work on Sunday. It brought a lot of joy and happiness to so many people. Thank you so much Astris PME!!!

Morgan Capper

Thank you to all of the Astris PME team who reconfigured a wheelchair for a child in Bali. The project would not have been so manageable or successful without their generous assistance.

Toni Blanch

Astris PME are fantastic - the best we’ve ever dealt with. We had to get through a few issues with NDIS to get my daughter’s new wheelchair, but once that was sorted the process was made easy by Astris PME. They couldn’t do enough for us.

Cathy Howe

Astris PME have been helping us over the past 6 years with wheelchairs and walkers for my son Koby. We wouldn’t go to any other company because Astris PME look after us so well and they have more trial equipment than anyone else. They are so reliable and never let us down.

Brodie Poole

My son's equipment arrived on my birthday. It was the best present I've ever had! I can't thank Astris PME enough for everything they have done for us. This equipment is a life saver. It's going to make a huge difference to my son's life and help with his therapy.

Kamilia Kabbout

It has been an absolute delight working with Astris PME regarding the quote / trial process and delivery of equipment for my daughter Maddison. The Astris PME consultant demonstrated a great deal of patience with myself and Maddison who has very limited mobility. He explained every step to make her feel comfortable and his product knowledge was excellent. I would highly recommend Astris PME.

Sally Ryan

I want to thank Astris PME for your help and assistance over the years. I have been using your service since I started as an OT 14 years ago and have learnt so much about scripting of manual wheelchairs and commodes from your team, so I really wanted to express my appreciation before I move on to my next role.

Elinor Tillman

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Astris PME to support and better the lives of our shared NDIS participants. Thank you for your guidance and patience with teaching me the ropes of the equipment world and scripting.

Taylor-Leigh Stacey

Our order was delivered today, and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the phenomenal service and delivery time of our order. It’s been a pleasure dealing with Astris PME and I will definitely be recommending you guys to friends. Please pass on my thanks to your team. Looking forward to dealing with you in the future should we need.

Stephanie Wain

Astris PME, its products and team are all so incredible. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. You guys are like family to us. THANK YOU for always going above and beyond for your clients, it’s always such a pleasure even when it’s from behind a glass door for a no-contact delivery. I was very impressed. NO. 1 FAN FOR LIFE.

Crystal Roth

Thanks so much for setting up Tania’s chair today. She loves it, and we love that it supports her needs and can be adaptable for her. She seems super comfortable in her new chair. We greatly appreciate all that you guys do at Astris PME.

Karen Moss

Ready to explore your options?

Let’s Find the Right Power Assist Together

Not sure whether a front add-on, powered wheel, rear add-on or another power assist system is right for you?

Our team can work with you and your therapist to compare suitable options and trial them on the wheelchair and in the environments that matter to you.