EV Charger Installation Guidelines - Australia

EV charger installations in Australia must follow national and local rules to meet safety and compliance standards. This guide outlines the key requirements from AS3000:2018 and offers further advice for each state and territory.

Important

All installations must be completed by a licensed electrician. DIY installs are not permitted for EV charging infrastructure in Australia.

What AS3000:2018 Requires

The AS3000:2018 standard sets the minimum requirements for electrical installations across Australia. EV chargers must follow these rules:

  • Cable size: Minimum 6mm² Cross Sectional Area (CSA) to handle the current safely.
  • Dedicated circuit: Must have its own 32A supply line. It’s recommended to oversize this slightly with a 40A-rated cable and breaker.
  • Residual Current Device (RCD): Type A required.
    • Use a 2-pole RCD for single-phase installations.
    • Use a 4-pole RCD for three-phase installations.
  • MCB type: Circuit breakers should be Curve B or Curve C depending on the installation environment and load characteristics.

Isolator Switch

While not mandatory under AS3000:2018, it’s good practice to fit an isolator switch. This allows the EV charger to be safely disconnected without affecting other circuits.

State and Territory-Specific Rules

Beyond AS3000:2018, each state and territory may introduce their own requirements, especially for EV chargers rated above 20 amps. These may include additional protection measures, load management systems, or permits.

Tap the dropdowns below to view the rules that may apply in your area.

Victoria

Victoria follows AS3000:2018, but additional requirements may apply for chargers over 20A, particularly in new developments or sites with limited capacity. Check with Energy Safe Victoria for updates.

For more information, see here
New South Wales

In NSW, EV charger installations may require a Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW). Installers should also check Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy guidelines for load management advice.

For more information, see here
Queensland

Installations must comply with AS3000:2018. Energex and Ergon Energy may request load reporting or limits for large-scale installs. Temporary load balancing or ripple control devices might also be needed.

For more information, see here
Western Australia

Western Power and Horizon Power customers should check local technical requirements. For three-phase installs or chargers above 7kW, an application or pre-approval may be needed.

For more information, see here
South Australia

SA Power Networks may require installations over 20A to be notified or approved. Demand tariffs and time-of-use settings should also be considered during install.

For more information, see here
Australian Capital Territory

In ACT, installations must comply with AS3000:2018. Evoenergy may apply additional requirements for new builds or retrofits in older suburbs with limited grid capacity.

For more information, see here
Tasmania

TasNetworks requires electricians to provide notice for installations exceeding standard household loads. Installers are advised to contact them prior to major upgrades.

For more information, see here
Northern Territory

Power and Water Corporation advises installers to ensure that any EV charger installs meet all grid connection criteria. Approval may be needed for large residential or business installations.

For more information, see here

Useful Resources

The Electric Vehicle Council publishes national guidance and support materials for planning and installing EV chargers. These are particularly useful for installers, councils, and developers.

View EV Council Guidelines

Related to:

australia standards

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