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Funding to support the Australian automotive sector as it transitions to selling and repairing more Electric Vehicles (EVs)
DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream
Opening date: Monday 22 September 2025 10:00am AEST Mon 22 Sep 2025 10:00am AEST
Closing date: Sunday 30 April 2028 5:00pm AEST Sun 30 Apr 2028 5:00pm AEST
Applications close 30 April each financial year for the duration of the program unless funding is exhausted prior.
What do you get?
Up to $3,000 per eligible fixed smart EV charging plug(s) or portable DC EV charger(s) at your site. Portable units must cost at least $2,500 to qualify. The maximum rebate amount for multiple chargers per eligible site is up to $21,000.
Who is this for?
Automotive dealerships and EV repairers throughout Australia.
About the program
Through the DRIVEN Program, the Australian Government will provide $60 million to fund the purchase and installation of EV charging units at automotive dealerships and EV repairers across Australia.
The program will run over 4 years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Driving the Nation Fund.
The objectives of the program are to:
- support automotive businesses selling passenger and light commercial vehicles and their role in decarbonising the automotive sector through:
- selling and repairing a higher proportion of EVs in response to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024 (Cth)
- increasing the scale and visibility of EV charging units throughout Australia
- enhancing staff and customer awareness and knowledge of EVs and charging technologies, to support uptake of EVs across Australia.
- support the automotive sector by:
- distributing appropriate funding to as many eligible businesses as possible
- supporting the timely deployment of charging solutions to meet the immediate needs of the sector.
The intended outcomes of the program are:
- a supported Australian automotive sector as it transitions to selling and repairing more EVs
- increased uptake of EVs by providing more EV charging stations Australia wide
- reduced transport emissions to support achievement of Australia’s economy-wide net zero emissions target by 2050.
The DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream 2025 to 2028 will provide up to $40 million for EV charging units to dealerships and EV repairers.
The intended outcomes of the DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream are:
- increased number of EVs on the roads
- reduced upfront cost of installing EV charging units at dealerships and EV repairers
- distributed funding to as many eligible automotive businesses as possible across Australia.
Learn more about the policy that supports the DRIVEN Program.
Eligible businesses can apply directly to the Program for a rebate. Exercise caution when considering applying with the assistance of a third party, particularly, if asked to provide business related information such as bank account details or dealer licence information.
The DRIVEN Program has no affiliation with any equipment supplier.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible project
- have eligible expenditure.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- have an account with an Australian financial institution
- are an entity, incorporated in Australia.
You must also be one of the following:
- a licenced motor dealer/trader
- a service centre associated with a licenced motor dealer/trader
- an automotive repair business, compliant with Australian Standards 5732:202 2 (EV operations – maintenance and repair) and which has at least one current member of staff suitably qualified to undertake work on EVs.
You can’t apply if you are:
- any organisation not included in eligible entities listed above
- a business operating out of a residential premises
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme
- an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).
To be eligible for a rebate, you must:
- have purchased and installed at least one eligible smart EV charger(s) at an eligible site (listed in section 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines) on or after 26 March 2024, or
- purchased a portable DC EV charging unit with a minimum expenditure of $2,500.
Fixed EV charging units must meet “smart” requirements – that is, have an online connection which allows monitoring, managing and adjusting of energy consumption.
All fixed smart EV charging units must have been installed by a licenced electrician.
All portable DC EV charging units, must be powered via an electrical outlet that has been assessed for safety and the additional load by a licenced electrician.
To be eligible, expenditure must be a direct cost incurred in purchasing and/or installing eligible smart EV charging unit(s).
Eligible expenditure may include:
- purchase of fixed smart EV charging unit(s) - there is no list of approved EV charging units, but fixed EV charging units must meet “smart” requirements – that is, have an online connection which allows monitoring, managing and adjusting of energy consumption
- installation of smart EV charging unit(s) by a licenced electrician
- purchase of portable DC EV charger(s)
- assessments by a licenced electrician of any outlets/electrical infrastructure used by portable DC EV charger(s) as safe and able to manage the additional load
- third party administrative fees for assisting you in preparing your application (maximum of $200).
installation costs must have been incurred on or after 26 March 2024 and prior to conclusion of the DRIVEN Charger Stream end date of June 2028.
You will only receive the rebate up to the maximum amount allowable under these guidelines.
Applicants who successfully applied in Round 1 and received a rebate of less than $3,000 per plug may be eligible for a supplementary rebate to bring their total rebate per plug to the current maximum of $3,000. This will require an application to be made under this round. The department will be in touch with all eligible applicants to support this process.
Not all costs incurred in installing EV charging units are eligible for a rebate. The Program Delegate (a manager within DISR with responsibility for administering the program) makes the final decision on what is eligible expenditure and may give additional guidance on eligible expenditure if required.
Maximum rebate amounts available for purchase and installation of eligible smart EV chargers and portable DC EV chargers are:
- $3000 rebate per plug for installed smart EV chargers, noting rebates will not exceed the total cost to purchase and install a charger. In the event your total expenditure is less than $3000, only the amount spent can be claimed as a rebate.
- $3000 rebate is available per portable DC EV charger, with a minimum expenditure requirement of $2,500 per unit. If expenditure is less than $2,500, the purchase is not eligible for a rebate. If expenditure falls between $2,501 and $2,999, the rebate will only cover the amount spent. For expenditure of $3,000 or more, the rebate is capped at $3,000, regardless of the total amount spent.
The maximum rebate amount per eligible dealership or repairer site is $21,000.
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
Apply using our online portal:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the close date.
Make sure you include enough detail and supporting evidence in your application to help us decide whether to award you the grant.
Don’t submit the application until it’s complete. You can’t correct a mistake.
Your application will be considered through a demand driven grant (rebate) process. Applications will be reviewed in order of receipt until available funding is exhausted.
If we identify unintentional errors or failure to provide mandatory attachments in your application, we will not contact you to correct or clarify the information.
We will review your application against the eligibility criteria listed in section 4.1 and 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
The Program Delegate decides which grants (rebate) to approve taking into account eligibility and the availability of grant funds.
The Program Delegate’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the grant approval (confirming your eligibility for the rebate)
- the grant funding to be awarded (eligible rebate amount)
- any conditions to the offer of grant funding (rebate).
Contact
Need help?
Let us answer your question over the phone, email or live chat.
- Phone:
-
Open Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm across Australia
- Website:
Further guidance
Do I need to have purchased the EV charging equipment on or after 26 March 2024?
Yes.
Are used car dealers eligible?
Yes, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements as per section 4.1 and section 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines (the guidelines).
Do I have to put stickers on the EV charger or signage on the site recognising having received government funding if I receive a rebate?
No, there are no signage requirements.
Do I have to be currently selling/servicing/repairing EVs to be eligible?
No, you only need to meet the eligibility requirements in section 4 of the guidelines.
Will I be contacted if there is a problem with my application?
If there is a problem with your application you will be advised that your application has been unsuccessful. Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the guidelines before applying or reapplying for a rebate.
Can I get feedback and/or reapply if I was unsuccessful due to a problem with my application?
If you have any questions during the application period, contact us by email, live chat or by calling 13 28 46.
Is there a list of eligible charger equipment?
No, you only need to meet the requirements in section 5.1 of the guidelines.
The DRIVEN Program has no affiliation with any equipment supplier.
Does the rebate attract GST?
No, we do not consider the rebate payment under this program to be a ‘supply’ meaning there is no ‘taxable supply’ and GST is not payable on the rebate. This is the case regardless of whether you are registered for GST or not.
Do the EV chargers have to be installed on the eligible site?
Yes.
Are there rules on where we can put EV chargers on the eligible site?
No, there are no limitations on where the chargers can be placed within the eligible site. However, it is important to note that EV chargers installed outside of the eligible business site are not eligible to receive a rebate.
Is there a limit to the number of plugs/chargers I can apply for?
The rebate is capped at $21,000 per eligible site. You can apply to receive this rebate for any number of plugs, up to the cap.
If I operate showrooms for multiple automotive manufacturers on the one eligible site, what size rebate am I eligible to receive?
You are eligible to receive up to $21,000 for each of the automotive manufacturers you sell from the eligible site (i.e. for each of the franchise agreements that apply to your showroom) and a separate application will need to be made for each.
If I operate both a dealership rooftop and service centre workshop on the one eligible site, what size rebate am I eligible to receive?
You are eligible to receive up to $21,000 for each of the eligible businesses operating on the site (making a site cap of $42,000). However, you will need to apply for each separately.
Does the $21,000 rebate cap per site include the $200 administration fee?
Yes. The $200 administration fee is included in the $21,000 rebate cap for each eligible site. The fee can only be claimed once per financial year, per eligible site. If you are applying for multiple sites with different business addresses, you may claim the $200 administration fee separately for each eligible site.
Can I claim the $200 administration fee even if my application is rejected?
No, the administration fee is only payable with approved rebates.
Do we need to make the chargers public to receive the rebate?
No, chargers may be for private and/or public use.
If I operate multiple eligible sites, can I apply for them all on the one application?
No, only one site can be applied for per application.
Can I make more than one application for a rebate for the same eligible site to reach the site cap of $21,000?
Yes, the guidelines have been updated since round 1, with applicants now able to make additional claims per site up to the site cap. The site cap of $21,000 is the maximum total rebate available under the program.
Does the DRIVEN Program have anything to do with The DRIVEN website?
No.
I operate under a dealer agreement with a vehicle manufacturer, do I apply for a rebate for my dealership or can they?
Only the dealership or EV repairer can receive the rebate, however they may be assisted by a third party, such as a charge point operator (CPO) to prepare the application. A claim of up to $200 for third party administrative fees associated may be claimed. Check section 6.1 of the guidelines for further details.
How do I prove I am a qualified EV repairer?
See section 6.1 of the guidelines for information on how to provide evidence of your qualifications.
Qualified EV technicians may also be eligible for an ‘Electric Vehicle Safety’ account upgrade to their membership with the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA).
Are portable EV chargers eligible?
Portable DC EV chargers are eligible for the DC rebate. Portable AC EV chargers are not eligible. Note your application must still include the installation of a dedicated connection point by a licensed electrician. Check further portable DC EV charger eligibility in section 3.1 of the guidelines.
Is the rebate calculated per plug or per eligible smart EV charger?
Rebates are calculated per plug.
What if I am unable to provide a copy of my motor dealer/trader licence?
If you cannot provide a copy of your motor dealer/trader licence, you can alternatively provide evidence of your motor trader/dealer licence number.