Renting or in an apartment? Here's how to make EV ownership work.

No garage, no problem. Thousands of Australians live in apartments and drive EVs every day. This guide covers the approval process, a template letter for your body corporate, real charging strategies, and the models best suited to your situation.

Getting approval to install a charger

In strata and community title schemes, installing an EV charger typically requires body corporate approval. The good news: across all major Australian states, recent legislation means bodies corporate cannot unreasonably refuse a request for an EV charger. Here's the process for your state.

New South Wales

Legislation: Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW)

The 2023 amendments clarify that lot owners can install chargers in their own car space without a vote, provided no common property is affected.

Charger in your own car space (no common property)

Owner's right — no vote required, provided wiring stays within your lot.

Common property wiring or switchboard upgrade required

Ordinary resolution (simple majority) at a general meeting. All costs borne by the applicant.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the owners corporation (use the template letter below).
  2. Confirm whether your car space is "lot property" (no vote needed) or if common property wiring is required (ordinary resolution required).
  3. If a vote is needed, request it be placed on the agenda for the next general meeting.
  4. The owners corporation must not unreasonably refuse an EV charger application.
  5. If refused unreasonably, lodge a mediation application with Fair Trading NSW.

Dispute resolution: Fair Trading NSW provides free mediation. Visit fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.  ·  Fair Trading NSW — Changes to strata law 2023

Victoria

Legislation: Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) + OC Amendment (EV Charging) 2024

Victoria's 2024 amendments specifically facilitate EV charger installation with a two-tier framework.

Tier 1 — Lot car space, no common property impact

No approval required. Owner may proceed directly.

Tier 2 — Common property wiring required

Ordinary resolution at a general meeting. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the owners corporation manager or committee.
  2. Identify whether your car space is a Tier 1 change (lot only, no common property) or Tier 2 (common property wiring needed).
  3. Tier 1: no approval required — proceed directly with a licensed electrician.
  4. Tier 2: request an ordinary resolution at a general meeting.
  5. Owners corporation must not refuse without reasonable grounds.
  6. If refused, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for free dispute resolution.

Dispute resolution: Consumer Affairs Victoria provides free dispute resolution. Visit consumer.vic.gov.au.  ·  Consumer Affairs Victoria — EV charging in owners corporations

Queensland

Legislation: Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld)

Recent 2024 QLD reforms clarified that EV chargers are "reasonable improvements". The committee can approve minor works without a general meeting.

Charger in your own car space

Generally owner's right. Committee can approve as a minor improvement without a full vote.

Switchboard or common property upgrade required

Ordinary resolution at a general meeting. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the body corporate committee.
  2. For minor improvements (charger in your own car space), the committee may approve without a general meeting.
  3. For significant infrastructure changes (switchboard upgrade), request an ordinary resolution at a general meeting.
  4. A lot owner's own car space is generally the owner's right to improve.
  5. If refused, contact the Body Corporate and Community Management Commissioner (BCCMC) for low-cost dispute resolution.

Dispute resolution: Body Corporate Commissioner QLD provides low-cost resolution. Visit qld.gov.au/body-corporate.  ·  Body Corporate Commissioner QLD — Improvements to lots and common property

Western Australia

Legislation: Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA), as amended 2020

WA has no specific EV charger amendment yet, but the 2020 strata reforms introduced a cleaner minor works framework. Minor works in your own lot need no resolution.

Minor works in your own lot

No resolution needed. Proceed with a licensed electrician.

Significant works affecting common property

Ordinary resolution required (≥50% of lot owners at a general meeting).

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the strata company (council of owners).
  2. Determine whether the works are "minor" (lot only) or "significant" (common property impact).
  3. Minor works in your own car space: no resolution required.
  4. Significant works (common property wiring): ordinary resolution at a general meeting (≥50% of lot owners).
  5. Council cannot unreasonably withhold consent.
  6. If refused, apply to Landgate or SAT (State Administrative Tribunal) for resolution.

Dispute resolution: Landgate and the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) handle disputes. Visit landgate.wa.gov.au.  ·  Landgate WA — Strata scheme lot owners: minor improvements

South Australia

Legislation: Strata Titles Act 1988 (SA); Community Titles Act 1996 (SA)

SA does not yet have a specific EV charger amendment. Standard "alterations and additions" provisions apply. The Switched On SA strategy includes apartment charging as a focus area.

Works within your own lot (car space)

Owner's right. No vote required if contained entirely within your lot.

Works affecting common property

Ordinary resolution required. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the strata corporation or community corporation management committee.
  2. Works within your own lot (car space) are the owner's right.
  3. Works affecting common property require an ordinary resolution at a general meeting.
  4. Most committees approve professionally scoped requests accompanied by an electrical report.
  5. CBS (Consumer and Business Services SA) handles disputes.

Dispute resolution: Consumer and Business Services SA handles disputes. Visit cbs.sa.gov.au.  ·  SA Government — Switched On SA Electric Vehicle Strategy

Australian Capital Territory

Legislation: Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 (ACT)

The ACT has one of Australia's strongest EV policy frameworks under its Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan. Owners corporation rules largely follow the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011, with EV charger installations treated as improvements subject to standard approval processes.

Charger in your own parking space (lot property)

Owner's right — no resolution required if wiring stays within your lot.

Common property wiring or switchboard upgrade required

Ordinary resolution at a general meeting. Executive committee can approve minor works without a full vote. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the owners corporation executive committee.
  2. If the charger is entirely within your own parking space (lot property), no resolution is required — it is the owner's right.
  3. If common property wiring or a switchboard upgrade is needed, the executive committee can approve minor improvements without a general meeting.
  4. Significant infrastructure changes require an ordinary resolution at a general meeting.
  5. The ACT Government's Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan explicitly supports apartment charging — cite it in your request as policy context.
  6. If refused unreasonably, apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) for dispute resolution.

Dispute resolution: ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) handles disputes. Visit acat.act.gov.au.  ·  ACT Government — Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan

Northern Territory

Legislation: Unit Title Schemes Act 2009 (NT)

The NT does not have a specific EV charger amendment. Standard body corporate rules under the Unit Title Schemes Act 2009 apply. Darwin and Palmerston have a small but growing number of unit-title apartment buildings where this process is relevant.

Charger within your own lot

Owner's right. No body corporate resolution required if wiring stays within your lot.

Common property wiring or upgrade required

Ordinary resolution required at a general meeting. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the body corporate manager or committee.
  2. If the charger is entirely within your own lot (car space), it is generally the owner's right — no resolution needed.
  3. If common property infrastructure is affected, an ordinary resolution at a general meeting is required.
  4. Present an electrical scope of works confirming no ongoing cost to other owners.
  5. If refused, apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) for dispute resolution.

Dispute resolution: NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) handles disputes. Visit ntcat.nt.gov.au.  ·  NT Government — Unit Title Schemes Act 2009

Tasmania

Legislation: Strata Titles Act 1998 (Tas)

Tasmania's strata framework is governed by the Strata Titles Act 1998. There is no specific EV charger amendment; standard "improvement" provisions apply. The Tasmanian Government's EV Action Plan supports charging infrastructure, including in multi-unit developments.

Charger within your own lot

Owner's right. No resolution required if contained within your lot.

Common property wiring required

Ordinary resolution required at a general meeting. Applicant bears all costs.

Step-by-step process

  1. Submit a written request to the body corporate committee.
  2. If the charger is entirely within your own lot, it is generally the owner's right — no resolution needed.
  3. If common property wiring is required, an ordinary resolution at a general meeting is needed.
  4. Include an electrical scope of works and confirm no cost to other lot owners.
  5. If refused, contact Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) Tasmania for dispute assistance.

Dispute resolution: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) Tasmania handles disputes. Visit cbos.tas.gov.au.  ·  Tasmania CBOS — Strata titles and body corporate

Key takeaway for all states: Present a professional written request with an electrical scope of works, confirm there is no cost to other owners, and most bodies corporate will approve. Unreasonable refusals can be challenged through each state's dispute resolution service.

Template letter: Request to install an EV charger

Use this template to write to your body corporate or owners corporation. Fill in the bracketed fields, attach an electrical scope of works from a licensed electrician, and submit by registered post or email to your strata manager.

Body Corporate Template Letter — Preview

[Your Full Name] [Unit/Lot Number] [Building Name and Street Address] [City, State, Postcode] [Date] The Secretary / Strata Manager [Body Corporate / Owners Corporation Name] [Building Name and Street Address] [City, State, Postcode] RE: Request for Approval — Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Unit Dear Secretary / Strata Manager, I am writing to formally request approval from the [body corporate / owners corporation] for the installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging unit at my allocated car space, Lot [X] / Car Space [X]. PROPOSED WORKS I propose to install a [Level 2 / Type 2 AC] EV charging unit within my exclusive-use car space. The installation will be carried out by a licenced electrical contractor and will comply with: • AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules • AS/NZS 3001.2 (Transportable structures) • The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 • All applicable state electrical safety regulations IMPACT ON COMMON PROPERTY [Option A — No common property impact] The installation will be contained entirely within my lot. No changes to common property infrastructure are required. [Option B — Common property wiring required] A new dedicated circuit will run from the building's main switchboard to my car space. The entire cost of this work will be borne exclusively by me. COST AND LIABILITY All installation costs will be met entirely by me. I will be solely responsible for maintenance, repair, and replacement of the charging unit. All electricity costs will be charged to my lot's metered supply only. I respectfully request that this matter be considered at the next available committee meeting or general meeting. Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Unit/Lot Number] · [Phone] · [Email] Enclosures: 1. Electrical scope of works — [Electrician's Name] 2. EV charger product specification sheet [ Download the full letter for all sections and Option A/B language ]
Download PDF Download Word (DOCX)
  • Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending
  • Obtain an electrical scope of works before submitting — it significantly increases approval rates
  • Send by registered post or email with delivery confirmation
  • Follow up in writing if no response within 21 days
  • Keep a copy of all correspondence

Your day-to-day charging strategy

Many apartment EV owners charge far less often than you'd expect — because most Australians drive fewer than 50 km per day. A long-range EV may only need a full charge once or twice a week. Here's how to build a routine that works without home charging.

Charge at work

Many employers now offer free or subsidised EV charging. A Level 2 workplace charger adds 30–80 km of range per hour. Ask your HR or facilities team — workplace charging is increasingly common and a tax-effective benefit.

Charge at shopping centres

Westfield, Coles, IKEA and most major retail precincts now have DC fast chargers in their car parks. A 30-minute fast charge while you shop can add 150–300 km of range. Most are free or low-cost with a network membership.

Plan routes with an app

Apps like A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) and PlugShare — or your car's built-in navigation — route you via fast chargers automatically. Check for chargers near your regular destinations once, then it becomes habit.

Budget for public charging

DC fast charging typically costs $0.45–$0.65/kWh in Australia. A 60 kWh fill-up costs roughly $27–$39 — still significantly cheaper than petrol. Some networks offer flat monthly plans for frequent users.

Check for shared overnight chargers

Some apartment buildings already have shared Level 2 chargers in the car park. Check with your building manager before assuming none exist. If there are none, your body corporate application (Section 1 above) is the first step.

Highway charging is well covered

Every interstate route between Australian capital cities now has fast chargers spaced under 200 km apart — well within range of any modern long-range EV. Road trips are genuinely viable and increasingly convenient.

Australia's major charging networks

Range anxiety tip: Most apartment-dwelling EV owners charge once or twice per week — not daily. A single 30-minute fast charge adds 200+ km on modern long-range models. The perceived problem is larger than the actual one.

Best EVs for apartment living

Not all EVs are equal when home charging isn't guaranteed. The best choices for apartment dwellers prioritise long WLTP range (so you charge less frequently), fast DC charging (so public stops are brief), and a size that fits typical apartment car parks. Sorted by WLTP range, highest first.

Kia EV6 Air RWD

#4
582 km WLTP 233 kW DC From $55,770

Same 800V charging platform as the IONIQ 6 — 10–80% in about 18 minutes. V2L (vehicle-to-load) lets the car power devices from its battery. Best value 800V fast-charger in this segment at under $56K.

ev-database.org · Kia Australia

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