The Australian Energy Market Commission has released a draft rule intended to help deliver the Commonwealth's $40 million Accelerating Electric Vehicle Charging Program.
The program targets two persistent gaps in Australia's charging network: regional routes that may not be commercially attractive to private operators, and high-density urban neighbourhoods where renters and apartment residents often lack off-street parking.
Under the proposed framework, participating electricity distributors would first facilitate private charge-point operators at identified kerbside sites. Where operators do not take up a city location, a distributor could become the supplier of last resort. Participating distributors would also be required to supply infrastructure in designated regional blackspots.
The draft would amend the National Electricity Rules so approved services can be provided efficiently and a set proportion of their costs recovered from electricity consumers. The commission says the arrangement is designed to overcome regulatory barriers while preserving a first opportunity for private providers.
The proposal is not yet final. Submissions close on 5 November 2026, and the AEMC lists 17 December as the expected completion date for the rule-change process.
Sources: AEMC media release; AEMC rule-change project.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration and does not show a specific approved charging site or operator.
