NSW Right to Charge: What the New Law Means for Apartment Buildings
Updated 27 October 2026
Charging an electric vehicle at home should be convenient. For apartment residents, however, getting a charger installed can involve questions about approvals, shared electrical infrastructure and who pays.
NSW has passed reforms intended to make this process easier. The new “right to charge” framework aims to prevent unreasonable objections to an owner installing EV charging on their own lot.
There is an important distinction: the reforms have passed Parliament, but the EV charging provisions are planned to commence in 2027. Apartment owners should continue following the applicable approval process until the new provisions take effect. See the NSW Government’s commencement guidance.
What will change for apartment owners?
The new framework provides a pathway for an owner to notify the strata committee about a proposed charging station on their lot, including installations involving work on common property.
The committee must respond through the prescribed process and must not object unreasonably. The legislation also provides a way to challenge an unreasonable objection through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Supporting regulations will help define the documents required and what constitutes a reasonable objection. Committees and owners will need to check those requirements when the framework commences. See the NSW Parliament legislation record.
Does this mean anyone can install a charger anywhere?
The reform concerns charging on an owner’s own lot. It should not be treated as blanket permission to install equipment in visitor parking or any shared parking space.
Before planning an installation, establish whether the parking bay forms part of the owner’s lot or is common property. The strata plan and any relevant exclusive-use arrangements need to be checked.
The building also needs a practical installation plan. Easier approvals do not increase its available electrical capacity or resolve cable routing, electricity billing and maintenance responsibilities.
Why apartment buildings should plan now
An individual installation may meet one resident’s needs today. A coordinated building plan can make the next installation easier.
Without a shared approach, buildings can end up with repeated cabling works, inconsistent equipment and charging arrangements that become difficult to manage as more residents buy EVs.
Start by answering five questions:
Who needs charging? Assess current demand and likely growth.
What power is available? Review electrical capacity and existing loads.
Where will cables run? Identify practical routes and future connection points.
How will electricity be paid for? Agree on metering, billing and shared costs.
How will the system expand? Plan for additional residents without unnecessary rework.
An EV charging feasibility assessment can help turn these questions into a staged plan and budget.
Should your building choose Level 1 or Level 2 charging?
The right starting point depends on residents’ driving needs, parking arrangements and the building’s infrastructure.
A planned Level 1 outlet network may suit residents with modest daily driving needs and long overnight parking periods. Level 2 charging may suit residents needing faster charging or buildings planning dedicated charging stations.
Smart energy management can help coordinate charging demand within the capacity available.
The new legal framework’s treatment of particular equipment—including ordinary power outlets—must be checked against the final regulations. Buildings should not assume every charging arrangement will qualify.
What should strata committees do next?
Start gathering information rather than waiting for the first urgent installation request. Review resident demand, parking ownership, electrical infrastructure and existing charging rules with your strata manager and technical advisers.
A clear process helps residents understand what information to provide and gives committees a consistent basis for reviewing proposals.
Prepare your apartment building for EV charging
Future Charging Solutions helps apartment buildings assess capacity, compare charging options and plan installation, load management and ongoing support.
Whether your building needs its first charger or infrastructure for more residents, we can help you identify a practical next step.
Explore apartment EV charging or contact our team to discuss your building.
This article provides general information. Check current NSW commencement dates and regulations, and obtain advice on your scheme’s approval requirements.
Further reading: Zecar’s report on NSW’s right to charge reforms.
