(57) A joystick switch assembly has a lever (3) which can pivot about a central point (7), with a plurality of switches (22) distributed about that point. The lever (3) operates two sliders (11, 12) in mutually transverse directions, only one slider being movable at a time. The sliders (11, 12) carry spring loaded plungers (20) which co-operate with the switches (22). When a slider (11, 12) is moved by tilting the lever (3) from a central, neutral position, the plungers (20) carried by that slider operate associated switches (22). But when the lever (3) is released, the spring loading (19) pushes the slider back, causing the lever (3) to revert to the neutral position, and the plungers (20) follow to their initial positions causing the switches (22) also to revert. The principle is also applicable to a switch assembly in which the operating lever moves in only one plane.