The short answer#
A home EV charger installation is an electrical job with a shopping decision attached. The process usually runs in this order:
- Check the vehicle and charging needs.
- Assess the switchboard and supply.
- Choose the charger and cable route.
- Get a written quote with the full scope.
- Complete any approvals or network paperwork.
- Install the circuit, protection and charger.
- Commission, test and hand over.
The charger itself is often the easy part. The supply, cable route and switchboard determine whether the job is a few hours or a much larger project.
Step 1: Start with the vehicle, not the charger#
Before you compare models, write down:
- the vehicle make and model
- the maximum AC charging rate the car accepts
- the connector type
- where the car is parked
- how many kilometres you drive on a normal day
- whether you need one charger or two
- whether you have solar or plan to add it
A 22 kW charger will not charge a car that only accepts 7 kW on AC. The vehicle's onboard charger is part of the limit. The home charging guide explains the relationship between supply, charger and vehicle.
Step 2: Assess the switchboard and supply#
The electrician should check:
- whether the supply is single-phase or three-phase
- the main switch and consumer mains
- available space for a dedicated breaker
- RCD and surge protection
- the condition of the switchboard
- the cable route from the board to the parking position
- the existing load profile and whether load management is needed
- earthing and bonding
- whether the meter or network connection needs attention
This assessment is not a formality. A charger is a continuous load, often drawing 32 A for hours. The circuit, cable and protection must be sized for that, not for a short appliance burst.
Step 3: Choose the charger and the route#
The charger choice should follow the assessment. Consider:
- tethered or untethered cable
- indoor or outdoor rating
- power rating that suits the vehicle and supply
- load management capability
- solar or dynamic tariff integration
- app and scheduling features
- warranty and local support
- connector type and cable length
The cable route matters as much as the charger. A unit beside the switchboard is a simple job. A detached carport, a long driveway, a shared basement or a parking bay across a footpath is not. Trenching, conduit, fire separations and make-good can cost more than the charger.
Step 4: Get a written quote with the full scope#
A useful quote separates:
- the charger unit
- the dedicated circuit and cable
- conduit and mounting
- protection and isolation
- switchboard work
- load management
- commissioning
- permits or network fees
- make-good and disposal
Ask whether the price includes GST, whether the charger is supplied or owner-supplied, and what happens if the site conditions differ from the photos. Our installation cost guide breaks down the line items.
Step 5: Approvals and paperwork#
Requirements vary by state, territory, property type and network. Depending on the job, you may need:
- a licensed electrical contractor
- a certificate of electrical compliance
- body corporate or owners corporation approval for shared property
- landlord approval for a rental
- a network connection application or metering change
- building approval for structural or trenching work
The installer should tell you which approvals apply and who lodges them. Do not assume a standard installation needs no paperwork.
Step 6: Installation day#
A straightforward installation usually involves:
- isolating the supply
- mounting the charger
- running and protecting the cable
- installing the dedicated breaker and RCD
- terminating and testing the circuit
- mounting and connecting the charger
- configuring load management and Wi-Fi
- testing the charger with the vehicle
- cleaning up and handing over
If the switchboard needs an upgrade, the job may take longer and may require a planned outage. Ask the installer how long the power will be off and whether anything in the home needs to be shut down first.
Step 7: Commissioning and handover#
Before the installer leaves, ask them to show you:
- how to start and stop a charge
- how to schedule charging
- how load management works
- what the indicator lights mean
- how to connect the app
- what to do if the charger faults
- where the isolation switch is
- what maintenance is needed
Ask for the commissioning record, the electrical certificate and the warranty documents. A charger that is installed but not configured for the house's supply is not finished.
What can delay an installation?#
- a switchboard that needs replacement rather than a new breaker
- a long or difficult cable route
- trenching or concrete cutting
- asbestos or hazardous materials
- a shared meter room or apartment car park
- body corporate approval
- a network connection or metering change
- a charger that is out of stock or incompatible with the vehicle
A good installer will identify these before the day, not during it.
How to choose an installer#
Check:
- Electrical contractor licence and insurance.
- Experience with EV chargers and load management.
- Knowledge of your vehicle's charging limits.
- A written quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- Warranty on the charger and the installation.
- Local after-sales support.
- Willingness to explain the certificate and commissioning.
The process in this guide applies nationally. For the cost side, see the EV charger installation cost guide; for the supply question, see single-phase vs three-phase.
Bottom line#
The best installation starts before you buy the charger. Assess the supply, plan the cable route, get a written scope and choose an installer who will commission the system properly. A cheap charger on a poorly designed circuit is not a saving.
Straight answers
Questions people ask about this
How long does an EV charger installation take?
A straightforward single-phase charger with a short cable run can take a few hours. A long run, switchboard upgrade, trenching, three-phase work or shared parking can take a full day or more. Apartment installations may also need body corporate approval, which can take weeks.
Do I need to be home during the installation?
It is useful to be there for the site assessment and handover, even if you do not need to stay for the whole job. The installer may need access to the switchboard, meter box, garage and parking area, and you should be shown how the charger and load management work.
What paperwork should I receive after an EV charger install?
Ask for the electrical certificate or compliance paperwork required in your state or territory, the charger warranty, the installation warranty, the commissioning record and the installer's licence details. Keep the manual and the load-management settings with the property documents.
Sources and further reading
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