How to Use a Public EV Charger in Australia: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
Quick Facts: Public EV Charging in Australia
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You've been charging at home for a month and it's been completely unremarkable, plug in, unplug, done.
Then the first time you actually need a public charger, you pull into a Chargefox hub on the highway, stare at a machine with two cables and a QR code, and feel a pang of genuine uncertainty.
Nobody wants to be the person holding up the queue at a fast charger while they work out the app.
Here's the step-by-step of how Australian public EV charging actually works, what the different charger types mean, and how to handle the situations that catch new EV owners off guard.
Before you leave home: the three things to know
1. Which network are you using?
Australia's public charging landscape isn't a single unified system.
It's a collection of independent networks, Chargefox, Evie, BP Pulse, ChargePoint, Jolt, Tesla Superchargers (Tesla owners only, for now), and others, each with its own app, payment method, and pricing.
You don't need accounts with all of them before your first road trip, but download Chargefox and Evie before you leave, since those two cover the majority of DC fast-charging locations on major Australian highway corridors.
PlugShare is the universal aggregator, it shows chargers from every network on one map, with real user check-ins confirming availability.
2. Does the charger come with a cable, or do you bring your own?
DC fast chargers (Level 3, the highway ones) always have a cable attached to the machine. You don't need to bring anything, just pull up, plug in, pay, and charge.
AC public chargers (Level 2, the slower ones in car parks, shopping centres, and workplaces) often don't have a cable, they have a socket but no lead.
For those, you need your own Type 2 cable, which either came with your EV or can be purchased separately. Check before you rely on a public AC charger having a cable, particularly at older installations.
3. What's the maximum your car can accept?
Your car has a maximum DC charge rate, the fastest it can physically accept power from a fast charger.
A 350kW charger can deliver up to 350kW, but if your car's maximum DC input is 80kW (common on older and smaller EVs), you'll charge at 80kW regardless.
Your car's spec sheet lists this as "Maximum DC charge rate" or similar.
Knowing this number before a road trip saves you from unrealistic time expectations.
Step by step: how to use a DC fast charger
Step 1: Pull up and check the charger is available.
The PlugShare app or the network's own app shows real-time charger status.
Most Chargefox and Evie locations have multiple bays, if one is occupied, others may be free.
Step 2: Pick up the CCS2 cable.
On most Australian fast chargers, there's a single tethered cable ending in a CCS2 connector, the combined plug with the two large DC pins at the bottom. Lift it, remove the rubber dust cap from your car's charging port, and plug it in. It should click firmly into place. If it doesn't seat properly, check the dust cap is fully removed and try again, forcing it won't help.
Step 3: Start the charging session.
This varies by network. On Chargefox and Evie, you can tap your credit or debit card on the payment terminal directly, no app required, no pre-registration.
On some older chargers and some smaller networks, you'll need the network's app or an RFID card. If the screen shows a QR code, scanning it with your phone camera will typically take you directly to the payment and start flow.
Once a session is started, the charger confirms it's live, you'll usually hear a relay click, see the charge rate appear on the charger screen, and see the car's own display update within 30 to 60 seconds.
Step 4: Set a limit or come back.
Most EV drivers on road trips stop charging at around 80%.
This is partly practical (charging slows noticeably above 80% on most vehicles) and partly courtesy (other people may be waiting). If you're staying nearby (having a meal, coffee), set a charge limit in your car's infotainment or companion app and come back when it's reached.
Don't leave an EV plugged in but fully charged at a busy DC fast charger.
Step 5: Stop the session and unplug.
End the session via the app or the charger's screen before unplugging.
On most modern networks, the cable will unlock from your car once the session is ended. Don't pull the cable before ending the session, it's locked in for safety until the session closes. Replace the cable neatly on the charger for the next driver.
AC public chargers (the slow ones in car parks)
These work differently. They're typically 7kW or 22kW (Level 2), found in shopping centre car parks, council lots, hotels, and workplaces.
The session is slower but often cheaper, some are even free. Most require your own Type 2 cable.
Payment is via tap-to-pay, RFID, or app depending on the network. Treat these as "destination charging", places where you'll be parked for an hour or more anyway, not a dedicated charging stop.
What to do when things go wrong
The charger is unavailable or broken. Check the app, it often shows fault status. If you're at a Chargefox location, there's a support number on the machine. Most networks have 24 hour support lines. Don't wait more than five minutes for a charger showing "available" that won't start, call the support number and they can often reset it remotely.
The car won't accept the charge. If you've plugged in but nothing's happening, check: is the session actually started on the charger? Is the car in a state that accepts charging (not in "Drive," schedule-delayed, or with a charge limit already reached)? Is the cable fully seated? If all of those check out and nothing's happening, try a different bay.
The bay is ICEd (blocked by a petrol car). Frustrating but common. Take a photo, report it via the network's app, and if there's a manageable alternative (different bay, different charger nearby), use it. Don't confront the driver, it rarely goes well.
Quick Reference: Australia's Main Charging Networks
Network | Type | Payment | Coverage |
Chargefox | DC fast plus AC | Tap-to-pay, app, RFID | Best national coverage, all major corridors |
Evie Networks | DC fast | Tap-to-pay, app | Strong east coast, Autocharge feature |
Tesla Supercharger | DC fast | App (Tesla only for now) | Extensive, non-Tesla access limited |
BP Pulse | AC plus DC | App, tap-to-pay | Metro-focused, growing |
Jolt | AC | App, some free sessions | Metro, first 7kWh free on some sites |
ChargePoint | AC | App, RFID | Workplaces, shopping centres |
PlugShare | Aggregator app | N/A | Shows all networks in one map |
Do This, Don't Do That
Do this before your first trip: download PlugShare and the Chargefox app, and check your car's maximum DC charge rate so your time expectations are realistic.
Do this at the charger: confirm your payment method is ready before you pull up, and check whether the charger you're counting on actually provides a cable.
Don't do this: leave a fully charged EV plugged in at a busy fast charger, or confront a driver blocking an EV bay. Report it via the app instead.
How to Use a Public EV Charger : FAQs
Do I need an app to use a public EV charger in Australia? Not always, Chargefox and Evie both support tap-to-pay at their fast chargers. Some older chargers and smaller networks require an app or RFID card. Downloading PlugShare (free) and the Chargefox app before your first road trip covers most situations.
Do I need to bring my own cable to a public charger? For DC fast chargers (highway charging): no, the cable is tethered to the machine. For AC public chargers in car parks: often yes, many AC public chargers have a socket but no cable. Check before relying on one.
How long does it take to charge at a public fast charger? Depends on your car's maximum charge rate and the charger's capacity. At a 150kW charger, a typical 60 to 75kWh EV can go from 20% to 80% in roughly 25 minutes. At a 50kW charger, the same charge takes 50 to 60 minutes. At 350kW ultra-rapid (on compatible vehicles), 20 to 80% can take as little as 18 to 20 minutes.
What is ICEing and what should I do about it? ICEing is when a petrol or diesel vehicle (ICE, Internal Combustion Engine) parks in an EV-only charging bay, blocking access to the charger. Take a photo, report it via the charging network's app, and use an alternative bay or charger if available.
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