The invention provides a lifting apparatus with variable and independently selectable height and reach which comprises a base supporting a lifting structure. The lifting structure comprising two upwardly extending variably extendible support structures, an arm having a proximal end portion and an intermediate portion, which are pivotally connected to an upper end portion of respective ones of said variably extendible support structures; and a load support structure depending from a distal end portion of the arm. Each of the variably extendible support structure is provided with drive control for extending and retracting each of the variably extendible support structures relative to each other for controlling translational movement of the arm wherein the reach and elevation of the lifting apparatus may be altered by selective extension and/or retraction of each of the variably extendible support structures whereby a load can be selectively and independently moved in vertically and/or horizontally extending directions.