Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager (Lead Electrician, Connex Lic #92217) and Darren Standring (Owner). Written for North Brisbane and Moreton Bay homeowners. Last updated 2026-07-25.
Quick answer: In Queensland, a home EV charger must be installed by a licensed electrician, run on a dedicated circuit with RCD protection, and comply with AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) and AS/NZS 61851 (the EV charging standard). Your electrician must lodge an Energex Electrical Work Request (EWR) and issue you a Certificate of Compliance. For most single-phase 7kW installs this is routine; larger loads can need Energex approval before energising. Connex handles all of it as part of every install.
I’m Lee, lead electrician at Connex Electrical. EV chargers are a large, continuous electrical load, so Queensland has clear rules about how they’re installed. Here’s a plain-English rundown of what compliance actually means, and what your electrician should be handling for you.
It must be licensed electrical work
Under the Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002, installing or hard-wiring an EV charger is licensed electrical work. It is illegal for an unlicensed person to do it. The only thing a homeowner can use without an electrician is a portable plug-in charger into an existing power point — anything wall-mounted and wired in must be done by a licensed electrician. (More on that in our EV charger DIY guide.)
The standards that apply
AS/NZS 3000:2018 — the Wiring Rules
The core electrical installation standard in Australia. It governs the dedicated circuit, cable sizing, and RCD (safety switch) protection your charger needs.
AS/NZS 61851 — EV conductive charging systems
The standard specific to electric vehicle charging equipment and its installation. It covers how the charger connects to and communicates with the vehicle, and the safety requirements around it.
The Energex Electrical Work Request (EWR)
Energex operates the electricity network across South East Queensland, including North Brisbane. Adding an EV charger changes your property’s electrical load, so your electrician lodges an Electrical Work Request with Energex. For most standard single-phase 7kW home installs this is a routine notification and doesn’t hold up the job. Larger installations — three-phase, high-power, or where your supply is near capacity — can require Energex approval before the charger is energised, which is about network capacity rather than your wiring. We tell you upfront which category your job falls into.
Dedicated circuit and RCD protection
Two non-negotiables for a compliant EV install:
- A dedicated circuit — the charger must not share a circuit with other loads. It gets its own run from the switchboard, correctly sized for the continuous ~32A load of a 7kW charger.
- RCD protection — the circuit must have the correct residual current device (typically Type A or Type B depending on the charger), protecting against electric shock and faults.
If your switchboard can’t accommodate these, it may need an upgrade first — see do I need a switchboard upgrade for an EV charger.
The Certificate of Compliance
When the work is done, your electrician must issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC), certifying the installation is safe and meets the standards. Keep it — it’s your proof the work is legal and compliant, and it matters when you sell the home or make an insurance claim. A charger installed without a CoC is a red flag.
Why compliance protects you
- Safety: a 7kW charger drawing 32A for hours needs correctly sized cable and protection — getting it wrong is a fire risk.
- Insurance: non-compliant or unlicensed electrical work can void your home insurance after a fault or fire.
- Warranty: most charger manufacturers require licensed installation for the warranty to stand.
- Selling: compliant work with a CoC is one less problem at sale time.
What Connex handles for you
- Licensed installation to AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 61851.
- Dedicated circuit and correct RCD protection.
- Energex Electrical Work Request lodgement (and approval where required).
- Certificate of Compliance issued on completion.
- Testing, commissioning and handover.
All for a fixed price quoted in writing — see our cost guide. Call 0474 207 609 or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
In Queensland a home EV charger must be installed by a licensed electrician on a dedicated circuit with RCD protection, complying with AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) and AS/NZS 61851 (the EV charging standard). Your electrician must lodge an Energex Electrical Work Request and issue a Certificate of Compliance. For most single-phase 7kW installs this is routine, while larger loads can require Energex approval before energising.
Yes. Your licensed electrician lodges an Energex Electrical Work Request because the charger changes your property’s electrical load. For most standard single-phase 7kW installs this is a routine notification that doesn’t delay the job. Three-phase, high-power, or near-capacity supplies can need Energex approval before the charger is energised. Connex handles the Energex paperwork for you.
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is the document your electrician issues on completion, certifying the EV charger installation is safe and meets the required standards. Keep it as proof the work is legal and compliant. It matters when you sell your home or make an insurance claim, and a charger installed without a CoC is a warning sign of non-compliant work.
Two main standards apply: AS/NZS 3000, the Wiring Rules, which governs the dedicated circuit, cable sizing and RCD protection, and AS/NZS 61851, which covers electric vehicle conductive charging systems and how the charger connects to the vehicle. A compliant installation meets both, alongside the requirements of the Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002.
Book your compliant EV charger installation in North Brisbane
Connex Electrical installs EV chargers to full QLD compliance across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay — dedicated circuit, RCD protection, Energex lodgement and Certificate of Compliance included. QLD Electrical Contractor Licence #92217, $20M public liability, 5.0★ rated with 513 Google reviews. Call 0474 207 609 or see our EV charger installation North Brisbane service page.
Sources & references
- Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules
- AS/NZS 61851 Electric Vehicle Conductive Charging System
- Energex — Electrical Work Request (EWR) and connection requirements