Your home’s electrical system was designed for a different era. Here’s how to know if it’s time to upgrade.

Melbourne homes are changing. Between electric vehicles, solar panels, ducted air conditioning, and home workshops, the average household now demands far more power than the single-phase systems installed 20 or 30 years ago.

If you’ve noticed flickering lights when the air conditioner kicks in, or your electrician has told you that you can’t add another appliance without upgrading, you might be wondering: do I actually need three-phase power?

What Is Three-Phase Power (And How Is It Different)?

Most Melbourne homes run on single-phase power, a system that delivers electricity through one active wire at 230–240 volts. It’s perfectly adequate for typical household loads like lighting, fridges, and standard appliances.

Three-phase power delivers electricity through three active wires, each carrying 240 volts but offset in timing. This creates a more stable, continuous flow of power at 400–415 volts—roughly triple the capacity of single-phase.

Think of it like lanes on a freeway. Single-phase is one lane handling all traffic. Three-phase is three lanes working together, sharing the load and preventing bottlenecks.

7 Reasons Melbourne Homeowners Upgrade to Three-Phase Power

1. You Want a Faster Electric Vehicle Charger

This is now the most common reason we see homeowners upgrade.

A single-phase EV charger maxes out at around 7kW,which means an overnight charge for most electric vehicles. That’s fine if you plug in every night and rarely drive long distances.

But a three-phase charger can deliver up to 22kW, cutting charge times by two-thirds. For families with two EVs, or anyone who needs a quick top-up before heading out, the difference is significant.

The maths:

• 7kW single-phase charger: ~8–10 hours for a full charge (60kWh battery)
• 22kW three-phase charger: ~3 hours for the same battery

If you’re installing an EV charger and thinking about future-proofing, upgrading to three-phase now avoids paying for the upgrade twice.

2. You’re Running Multiple Air Conditioning Systems

Melbourne’s summers are getting hotter. Many homes now run ducted air conditioning plus split systems in bedrooms—and that’s a lot of load hitting your electrical system simultaneously.

Large ducted systems (above 10kW cooling capacity) often require three-phase power to operate. Even if yours doesn’t, running multiple systems on single-phase can cause:

• Voltage drops when compressors start
• Lights flickering or dimming
• Circuit breakers tripping
• Reduced efficiency and higher running costs

Three-phase distributes the load evenly, so your systems run smoothly without competing for power.

3. You’re Installing a Larger Solar System

Single-phase connections typically limit solar installations to around 5kW. For a standard home, that’s often enough.

But if you have a large roof, want to maximise self-consumption, or plan to add battery storage, you’ll hit that ceiling quickly.

Three-phase power allows:

• Solar systems up to 15kW or more (depending on distributor approval)
• Better export capabilities to the grid
• Improved efficiency when paired with battery storage
• Balanced generation across all three phases

If you’re serious about solar, three-phase gives you room to grow.

4. You Have a Home Workshop With Heavy Machinery

Whether it’s woodworking, metalworking, or automotive projects, serious home workshops often require equipment that single-phase can’t handle.

Common three-phase workshop equipment includes:

• Large table saws and planers
• Lathes and milling machines
• Welders (especially TIG and MIG)
• Air compressors
• CNC machines

Running industrial equipment on single-phase requires phase converters, which are inefficient and can damage motors over time. Three-phase gives you clean, reliable power designed for heavy loads.

5. You’re Powering Pool Heating or a Spa

Electric pool heaters and large spas draw significant power—often 15kW or more. On single-phase, that’s a massive load that can overwhelm your system, especially if you’re also running other appliances.

Three-phase allows pool heating to run on a dedicated phase, separate from your household circuits. This means:

• Faster heating times
• No impact on other appliances
• More stable operation
• Reduced wear on equipment

If you’ve been told your pool heater “can’t be installed” without electrical upgrades, three-phase is usually the answer.

6. You Have High-Demand Kitchen Appliances

Modern kitchens are power-hungry. Between induction cooktops, built-in ovens, instantaneous hot water, and commercial-style appliances, it’s easy to exceed single-phase capacity.

Induction cooktops alone can draw 7–8kW at full power. Add a double oven and an instantaneous hot water system, and you’re pushing limits.

Three-phase distributes these loads across separate phases, preventing overload and ensuring everything works when you need it—even if you’re cooking a Christmas feast with the air conditioning running.

7. You’re Future-Proofing for Battery Storage and Smart Home Systems

Even if you don’t need three-phase today, consider where home technology is heading:

• Battery storage systems: Large batteries (10kWh+) often benefit from three-phase connections
• Smart home automation: More devices mean more cumulative load
• Home EV charging: As EVs become standard, faster charging becomes essential
• Electrification: Victoria is moving away from gas—future all-electric homes need capacity

Upgrading now means you’re ready for whatever comes next, without paying for another switchboard upgrade in five years.

Will Upgrading to Three-Phase Increase My Electricity Bills?

This is one of the most common questions we get—and the answer might surprise you.

No. Upgrading to three-phase does not increase your electricity rates.

You’re charged based on the kilowatt-hours (kWh) you consume, not the type of connection. Whether you have single-phase or three-phase, one unit of electricity costs the same.

In fact, three-phase systems can actually reduce your bills by:

• Improving efficiency: Less energy lost to voltage drops and resistance
• Reducing wear on appliances: Motors and compressors run smoother, lasting longer
• Enabling time-of-use optimisation: Faster EV charging means you can charge entirely during off-peak rates

Your daily supply charge may increase slightly (typically $0.10–$0.30 per day), but this is negligible compared to overall electricity costs.

Can Any Electrician Install Three-Phase Power?

No—and this is important.

Three-phase installations in Victoria require specific qualifications and coordination with multiple parties. Not every electrician can legally perform the work.

What’s required:

1. A licensed A-grade electrician to complete internal wiring and switchboard work
2. Coordination with your electricity distributor (Powercor, CitiPower, Jemena, United Energy, or AusNet depending on your location)
3. An independent electrical inspector to certify the work before reconnection
4. Energy Safe Victoria compliance under the Australian Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000)

Your electrician also needs to submit a Service Alteration Request to your distributor, manage the application process, and coordinate the reconnection—which involves scheduling the distributor’s crew and inspector on the same day.

At Electrx, we handle all of this. As a registered electrical contractor with Energy Safe Victoria, we manage the paperwork, applications, distributor liaison, and inspections. You get a single point of contact from quote to completion.

How Much Does a Three-Phase Upgrade Cost in Melbourne?

Costs vary depending on your property, but here’s what Melbourne homeowners typically pay:

Upgrade Type	Typical Cost Range
Overhead supply (most common)	$5,000 – $8,000
Underground supply (newer properties)	$3,500 – $5,000
With switchboard upgrade	Add $1,500 – $3,000
Commercial properties	$5,000 – $15,000+

Factors that affect price:

• Distance from the street supply
• Whether your existing switchboard needs upgrading
• Trenching requirements for underground connections
• Complexity of your current electrical system
• Distributor fees in your area

We provide transparent, itemised quotes with no hidden costs. If additional work is needed (like switchboard upgrades or asbestos removal), we’ll explain exactly what’s required and why before any work begins.

How Long Does the Process Take?

From initial quote to completed installation, most three-phase upgrades take 2–4 weeks:

• Days 1–3: Site assessment and quote
• Week 1–2: Application to distributor and approval
• Week 2–3: Scheduling installation with distributor
• Installation day: Typically completed in 1–2 days
• Same day/next day: Inspection and reconnection

The longest wait is usually distributor approval and scheduling—something we can’t control, but we do manage proactively to minimise delays.

Is Three-Phase Power Right for You?

Not everyone needs three-phase. If you’re running a typical household with standard appliances and no plans for EVs, solar, or major upgrades, single-phase is probably fine.

But if any of these apply to you:

• You’re installing (or planning) an EV charger
• You have or want multiple air conditioning systems
• You’re considering solar panels above 5kW
• You run a home workshop with heavy equipment
• You’re adding a pool heater or large spa
• You have high-demand kitchen appliances
• You want to future-proof for battery storage

…then it’s worth having a conversation about three-phase.

Get a Free Three-Phase Assessment

At Electrx, we help Melbourne homeowners upgrade their electrical systems to meet modern demands. Based in Braybrook, we service all of Melbourne’s western suburbs and greater Melbourne area.

What you get with Electrx:

• Free on-site assessment
• Transparent, itemised quotes
• All paperwork and distributor coordination handled
• Licensed, insured, and Energy Safe Victoria registered
• 300+ five-star Google reviews

Ready to find out if three-phase is right for you?

📞 Call 0489 998 552 📧 Visit electrx.com.au/contact

Electrx Electricians | 2a/46-50 Buchanan Rd, Brooklyn VIC 3012 | Servicing Melbourne’s Western Suburbs and Beyond