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Video: Live panel on how to win the race for talent

Watch the 30min Panel

How to win the race for talent

Panel: How to win the race for talent

On-demand panel on pay in the new economy with MYOB

With HR managers and business owners vying to win the race for in-demand skills in the Australian job market, now is the time to re-evaluate your employee value proposition and what you’re offering prospective employees.
Featuring panelists Geoff Lloyd former CEO of MLC and Perpetual and Flare Chair, James Windon Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Flare, Helen Lea Chief Employee Experience Officer at MYOB and Dr Liz Crawford Chief Product & Technology Officer at Flare. This 30 minute panel is available below on-demand.

In this event, you'll hear about:

Research:

Overview of research from over 7,000 new job starters in 2022 and their attitudes towards pay and benefits.

COVID-19:

How small and medium-sized enterprises have faired during the covid-19 pandemic.

EVP:

The role of purpose within a business articulating its employer value proposition (EVP).

Hybrid work:

The shift to remote and hybrid work and how businesses need to treat employees with greater flexibility.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

Factsheet: Psychological Safety

Factsheet: Psychological Safety

Research has found that businesses benefit from the diversity of thought, and groups of people with different life experiences are better able to identify problems and offer up creative solutions than those with similar life experiences.

But what if some team members don’t feel comfortable speaking up? What if they’re afraid to share their concerns or resist asking questions? What if they avoid suggesting innovative ideas because they’re worried about rejection?

Download our free factsheet to learn about psychological safety and why it matters at work.

Four components of psychological safety

According to Dr Timothy Clark, author of 'The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety': Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation, employees have to progress through the below 4 stages before they feel free to make valuable contributions and challenge the status quo.

How stay interviews can help

Stage 1: Inclusion safety

This satisfies the need to connect and belong.

Stage 2: Learner safety

This satisfies the need to learn and grow.

Stage 3: Contributor safety

This satisfies the need to make a difference.

Stage 4: Challenger safety

This satisfies the need to make things better.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

Factsheet: Stay interviews

Factsheet: Stay interviews

If only there was something you could do to make sure that your best employees won’t leave your company…well – that’s what stay interviews are for.
Stay interviews are similar to an exit interview, except they are conversations with current employees who either aren’t planning to leave, or haven’t announced their intentions to leave yet. These conversations aim to understand the secret sauce to employee retention, or what an individual loves about working at your company, and what your business needs to change in order to keep them engaged and retained.
Download our factsheet to learn more about stay interviews and why they are important to retain top talent.

Stay interviews are your secret weapon for retaining top talent

The best way to build an exceptional employee experience is to listen to your employees. Stay interviews are another way to connect your talent, hear their concerns, and take action to build a better workplace where your employees can develop a lengthy career.

How stay interviews can help

Spot issues:

identify and get ahead of potential problems.

Find solutions:

Move to resolve individual issues immediately.

Engage staff:

Show that you are invested in your people.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

How to design a wellbeing program

Download the Guide

How to design a wellbeing program

How to design a wellbeing program

Win the race for talent with a well-designed wellbeing program

A workplace wellbeing program is the experiences, activities, policies, programs, and benefits designed to support individuals to better holistic health. These programs have a positive flow-on effect on engagement, productivity, and loyalty. But getting it right isn’t always easy.

Wellbeing programs can make your workplace more attractive to new and existing employees. Despite this, Australian businesses are failing to offer these programs to their people. This means that there is a large underserved, under-packaged market in the Australian workforce.

For businesses that act, there is a competitive opportunity in the race for talent.

Introduction:

Employees demand benefits.

Attract & retain staff:

The benefits of a wellbeing program.

Design your solution:

The pillars of a strong wellbeing program.

Avoid the pitfalls:

Getting set-up for success.

Packaging & deploying:

Strategies to communicate value and deliver a great experience.

Getting started:

How to get started on winning the race for talent.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

How to revolutionise your employee value proposition

Download the Guide

How to revolutionise your employee value proposition

How to revolutionise your EVP

Win the race for talent by overhauling your employee value proposition (EVP)

The labour market has changed dramatically in a few short years. Now, employees are enjoying more control over the way they work, and are expecting more than a paycheck and an intranet page.

They are demanding a new employee value proposition (EVP) – one that offers a compelling reason to join a business or stay. Employers that don’t prioritise their EVPs run the risk of losing top performers and their relevance to potential new hires.

With the competition for talent fierce, there’s never been a better time to make your company stand out from the crowd.

Introduction:

The time to act is now.

Why EVPs are important:

The script has been flipped.

Build your solution:

How to compete on pay and benefits

Tailor your solution:

How to personalise your EVP.

Case study:

How Healius boosted their retention.

Getting started:

Attracting and retaining top talent.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

How to protect your teams from burnout

Download the Guide

How to protect your teams from burnout

How to protect your teams from burnout

Win the race for talent with a culture of wellbeing

While burnout has been on the rise over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has served as an accelerant – blurring the lines between work and home lives, and leading employees to re-evaluate what they want out of their working lives.
Employers are having to compete fiercely to win them over.
Organisations looking to win the race for talent, by retaining and recruiting the best, need to beat burnout before it arises by embracing a culture of achievement, autonomy, and wellbeing.

Introduction:

Take action on burnout.

The impact of burnout:

Why addressing burnout matters.

Support teams:

Building a buffer for your team.

Build strength:

Fostering autonomy and purpose.

Improve practices:

Creating a culture of wellbeing.

Getting started:

Protecting your teams from burnout.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

How to support employee financial wellbeing

Download the Guide

How to support employee financial wellbeing

How to support employee financial wellbeing

Win the race for talent by putting financial wellbeing at the centre of your people strategy

Stress is a hot topic for businesses. Not only can it impact engagement and productivity, but it can undermine your company culture in more insidious ways, like reducing employee focus and loyalty. Financial and mental stress has risen to its highest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is compounded by a significant increase in the cost of living.

A 2021 report into the Future of Work by PWC found that the top two benefits employees wanted as part of the Employer Value Proposition were rewards (25%) and wellbeing (22%). This encompasses pay, salary packaging, discount incentives such as perks, mental health support, wellness and lifestyle benefits, and financial support and education.

It’s clear that to attract, engage and retain top talent, putting financial wellbeing at the core of your people strategy is crucial.

Introduction:

The importance of putting financial wellbeing at the centre of your people strategy.

Attract & retain staff:

Why financial wellbeing is critical in attracting, engaging and retaining top talent.

Building a package:

How to build a competitive package that offers employees pay and benefit incentives.

Spotting stress:

Keeping an eye out for signs of stress amongst your people in the workplace..

How you can help:

How employers can help by running a financial wellbeing education program.

Getting started:

How to get started on winning the race for talent.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

2024 Engagement Planner

Download the calendar

2024 Employee engagement planner

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2024 Employee engagement planner

A calendar of connection for year-round engagement

Step into 2024 with our extensive HR engagement calendar, to help you craft a year full of memorable moments, professional growth, and triumphs for your team.

Embed culture

Embedding culture in the workplace is crucial for fostering unity, driving performance, and aligning employee actions with organisational values.

Champion diversity

Encouraging diversity in the workplace enriches creativity, enhances problem-solving, and fosters an inclusive environment that mirrors our diverse society.

Engagement on the go

Our Flare app has an entire year of event's pre-loaded, to make employee engagement a breeze.

Resource Hub

Develop your business skills and HR expertise with the Flare Benefits Resource Hub. Get access to helpful tools, articles, guides, webinars, and other on-demand resources that can help your business attract, hire, and retain top talent.

Charging up Down Under: a comprehensive guide to EV charging stations in Australia

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Charging up Down Under: a comprehensive guide to EV charging stations in Australia

15 min read

Key points:

  • Charging locations & availability: EV charging stations can be charged at various locations that fit into daily routines such as homes, workplaces, shopping centres, and even some restaurants. Many public charging stations are located in public car parks and offer free charging.
  • EV charging costs: In Australia, the cost of charging an EV varies based on the provider and location, ranging from $0.20 (at home recharge) to $0.81 (Tesla Superchargers) per kWh. While public charging stations have their respective costs, charging at home during off-peak hours is the most economical and convenient method, especially with solar panels.
  • Australia’s EV future: With a growing charging infrastructure and advancing technology, driving range anxiety is diminishing and more people in Australia are making a sustainable and cost-effective move by transitioning to EVs.

The dawn of electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced a paradigm shift in how we approach travel, particularly in Australia, a vast continent known for its iconic road trips. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast, a prospective buyer, or someone merely curious about the e-revolution, you might have questions about driving ranges, charging times, and the accessibility of EV charging stations across the country. This guide will answer all of your EV charging questions and help you plan a seamless journey whether you’re road-tripping across the country or simply driving to work.

Understanding EVs and charging stations

With the sharp surge in EV sales in Australia, many are adapting to this new way of travelling. But there’s a lot to consider: how long does it take to charge your EV, what range does your EV have, where is your nearest charging station and how do they work?
The answer to these questions significantly influence your travel plans, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with your EV and its charging capacities to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey.

Let’s start at the beginning; there are three primary types of EV charging stations:

Level 1/Mode 2 – Slow Charging: This method of charging uses an existing powerpoint (10-15 Amp, single phase) in combination with a specialised cable that should be provided with your EV. These charge points are only found in domestic homes. On average, you’ll see 10-20km of range per hour plugged in — this is good for topping up your daily use but it will not fully recharge an EV overnight.

Level 2/Mode 3 – Fast Charging: This type of charger is usually installed in homes, apartment blocks, hotels and workplaces. It consists of a dedicated AC EV charger at up to 22kW (32 Amp, 3-phase). This method of charging will add 40-100km of range per hour of charging and can deliver a full recharge overnight.

Level 3/Mode 4 – Rapid Charging: You’ll come across these charging stations at road-side locations to provide faster recharging with a dedicated DC EV charger at power levels from 25kW to 350kW (40-500 Amp, 3-phase). At the high end of the scale you’ll enjoy a full recharge in 10-15 minutes, while at the lower end you could see 150km of range added per each hour your vehicle is plugged in. 

Why two names for each type? They come from different standards and terminologies used to categorise charging methods: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 refer to the North American classification; Mode 2, Mode 3, and Mode 4 correspond to the European classification. In Australia, the European classification is more commonly used whereas the “Mode” terminology is used in more technical contexts.

An overview of EV chargers in Australia

With Australia on track to have more than 100,000 electric vehicles on the roads in 2023, charging stations have been popping up across all states and territories.

According to the Electric Vehicle Council’s (EVC) 2023 report, there are 558 high-power public charging locations in Australia, a 57% increase from 2022. It’s worth noting that many of these locations have multiple charging bays in place, so that multiple vehicles can charge at the same time.  

The table below, sourced from the EVC report, outlines the number of fast and ultrafast charging points across each state and territory. NSW is the state with the highest number of high-power charging stations with 174.
State / TerritoryFast (24kW - 99kW DC)Ultrafast (100kW DC +)Total
ACT639
NSW13143174
NT303
QLD9316109
SA42951
TAS31536
VIC9732129
WA361248
Grand total438120558
Source: The Electric Vehicle Council

This raises the question – are there enough charging stations across Australia to support the rise in EV sales? Arguably, there aren’t enough EV chargers across all 7.7 million square kilometres of Australia. But, it’s not just about the number of charging stations.

For most buyers, charging at home is sufficient to support their lifestyle and daily needs. While you need to head out to fill your vehicle up with fuel, you can charge your EV right in your driveway. So if you aren’t planning on taking regular drives across the country, an at-home charging point should be sufficient to get you to work, the shops and even on the occasional weekend road trip.
Looking ahead, there are several plans in place for the rollout of high-power public charging stations to continue to support EV owners. Major projects are in progress such as:

Recharge while restocking your pantry

We’ve already seen the rollout of EV charging locations into burger restaurants, bottle shops, shopping centres and even attached to old power polesA few supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles have also installed charging points in their car parks. 

There have been discussions in the media encouraging more major Australian supermarkets to invest in EV charging stations. This would not only give supermarkets a competitive and environmental advantage but would also allow shoppers to leave their car on charge while stocking up on their weekly groceries.
Aussie families are often short of time and most live within a 1.5km radius of their local supermarket, making this option highly desirable. Plus, Australia has over 4,000 supermarkets in every region, town and suburb across the country making them great sites for charging stations.

Maps of EV charging stations in Australia: locating charging points near you

Although knowing that there are plenty of public EV charging stations in Australia creates peace of mind for the driver, how can you easily find out where they are located? No one enjoys running out of power halfway to the beach. Fortunately, there are a plethora of tools available to help make your journeys effortless.
Plugshare, EVC, NRMA, Tesla, Get Electric, bp Pulse and JET Charge all provide interactive maps via their websites and downloadable apps to help you locate charging points and plan your route accordingly.
Teslas’s app not only helps you locate a Tesla Supercharger, but also lets you monitor your charge status and get a notification when your car is ready to get back on the road. Enter your destination into your Tesla touchscreen and its Trip Planner will automatically calculate your route, highlighting Supercharger points along the way. The app is also smart enough to consider your driving style, outside temperature, traffic, charge point availability and more!
Here are the best interactive maps you can bookmark:

EV Charging costs in Australia

If you’re wondering: ‘How much will it cost to charge my EV?’ The answer is: ‘It depends’. The cost of charging an EV in Australia is dependent on the source of electricity, battery size, at-home electricity costs and the time of day you choose to charge.

Which Car outlines the cost per kWh to charge at various charging points across the country.

Public charging provider standard pricing rates (August 2023)
Chargefox 50kW DC$0.45 per kWh
Chargefox 350kW DC$0.60 per kWh
Evie Networks 50kW DC $0.50 per kWh
Evie Networks 350kW DC $0.65 per kWh
BP Pulse 75kW DC $0.55 per kWh
Ampol AmpCharge 150kW DC $0.69 per kWh
Tesla Superchargers 150kW/250kW DC∼$0.43 to $0.69 per kWh*
*(∼$0.65 to $0.81 per kWh for non-Tesla EVs without membership at select trial locations). Tesla uses variable pricing, which changes depending on the time-of-day and station demand. ‘Idle fees’ also apply when the vehicle has finished charging, but is still plugged in after five minutes – penalising $0.50 or $1.00 per minute when the location is 50 per cent or fully occupied respectively.

The cheapest EV charging network in Australia is Chargefox at $0.45 per kWh for a 50kW DC charge port. Chargefox was founded in 2018 and is Australia’s largest EV charging network. Someone plugs into a Chargefox network every minute! Simply download their app to find, use and pay for a charging station. You can find their charging points at McDonalds, Coles, Intercontinental hotels and more. 

The good news is that many public EV charging stations across the country offer free charging. These tend to be the slower AC chargers and are often located in public car parks where the only cost to you is the fee to park your car. Some hotels and restaurants also offer free charging to their guests.
The most cost effective, reliable and convenient way to recharge your EV is at home.

According to the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy tool, the average off-peak pricing for time-of-use plans can range between $0.20 to $0.30 per kWh. This is based on charging from 10pm to 7am and varies depending on your electricity provider and the specific plan you have.

Drive outlines the average electricity charge to plug in your vehicle at home. These calculations are based on charging an EV with a 60kWh battery on the flat regulated tariff in each state.

StateReference rate – c/kWh (flat rate)Charge cost (60 kWh battery)
ACT30.3270$18.20
NSW31.2363$18.74
QLD25.8170 $15.49
SA 40.1830$24.11
VIC24.4440$14.67
Source: Drive.com.au
Charging at home is cost effective but it’s also convenient. You can schedule an AC charging timer on your EV model or wall box so all you need to do is plug in your vehicle when you get home.
If you have solar panel systems in your home then you’ll enjoy free charging whenever the sun is out! Some smart AC wall box chargers can even be set to automatically charge when there’s solar generation.

The charging process: what to expect

While it is true that charging an EV takes longer than refuelling a standard petrol or diesel car, there are many advantages to the electric way of life. You can charge your EV at locations that might well fit into your daily routine — at home, at work, when you shop or even while you enjoy a burger. Tired on a long journey? Recharge your car, and enjoy a coffee and snack.
While it is true that charging an EV takes longer than refuelling a standard petrol or diesel car, there are many advantages to the electric way of life. You can charge your EV at locations that might well fit into your daily routine — at home, at work, when you shop or even while you enjoy a burger. Tired on a long journey? Recharge your car, and enjoy a coffee and snack.

How long does it take to recharge?

NRMA gives an approximate guide to how many kilometres can be gained per hour and per 15 minutes of charging:
Charge rate (kW)Range gained per hourRange gained per 15 minutes
2.2 15km3.75km
3.725km6.25km
7.7 40km10km
11 65km16.25km
22 130km32.5km
50300km75km
150900km225km
350 2,000km500km
Source: NRMA
It’s worth remembering that there are a lot of factors that will influence charging time:
  • Charging level and mode: refer back to the first section of this article for the different types of charging points
  • Charging points, plugs and cables: some cables and ports are designed to handle higher power outputs than others
  • On-board charging capacity and battery size: EVs come with differing maximum charge rates
  • Battery state of charge (SoC): typically when a battery SoC is on the empty side the charging rate can be faster. When the battery’s SoC reaches 80% or above, it takes longer to charge
  • Battery temperature: charging an EV in very cold or very hot conditions can reduce the charging rate
Let’s make things more tangible with a real life example:
Sarah drives a Tesla Model 3 and charges her car at home using a Level 2 charger, gaining around 40km of range per hour. When she plans a road trip, she checks her battery's state of charge and temperature to ensure an efficient charge, if her battery's SoC is below 80%, she knows the charging rate will be faster. On a regular working day, she plugs in her Tesla overnight, and it's ready for her commute the next morning.

I’m fully charged, how far can I drive?

The driving range of EVs (or the maximum distance they can travel on a fully charged battery) can vary significantly. Influencing range factors include type of car, average energy usage, charging method used, age of the battery, individual driving style and outside temperature. In Australia, most EVs can travel between 250 and 300km on a single charge. 

Tesla’s Model S Plaid has the longest range, with other models like BMW’s iX, Kia EV6, and Audi e-tron also offering extended ranges.
To put this into context, consider the average Australian commute distance, which is around 40km round trip. Using a standard Level 2 charger at home, most EVs can be fully charged overnight, providing more than enough range for a typical daily commute and errands. Even a quick 15-minute charge can add up to 10km of range, giving additional flexibility.
Connecting the average EV driving ranges back to the charge-time table supplied by NRMA, it becomes clear that driving an EV is not only accessible to most Australians but also practical for daily use. If you’re looking for an easy way to tell if an EV will meet your needs, simply look at the manufacturer’s claimed range and consider your lifestyle and driving habits.

FAQs – EV chargers in Australia

Are EV charging stations free in Australia?
Throughout Australia, many public EV charging points provide free charging. You’ll usually come across these free stations in public parking areas, where the main cost is the regular parking fee.
EV charging station costs vary depending on the location and the supplier. You can typically expect to pay $0.50/kWh to recharge your EV for fast DC charging. However, charging at home remains the cheapest option.
If you charge your car during off-peak pricing times (typically 10pm-7am), the cost can range from $0.20 to $0.30 per kWh. If you have solar panels installed, then you can enjoy free charging when the sun is out.
The cheapest EV charging network in Australia is Chargefox at $0.45 per kWh for a 50kW DC charge port.
  • Level 1/Mode 2 – Slow Charging: Found in domestic homes, they use a regular powerpoint with a specialized cable, adding 10-20km of range per hour, ideal for daily top-ups.
  • Level 2/Mode 3 – Fast Charging: Common in homes and businesses, they use a dedicated AC EV charger providing 40-100km of range per hour, allowing for a full recharge overnight.
  • Level 3/Mode 4 – Rapid Charging: Located mostly at roadside stations, these are fast DC chargers offering a full recharge in as little as 10-15 minutes or up to 150km of range per hour.
You can charge your EV at any charging station that has a compatible plug or socket to your charging cable. Plug technology has evolved over time without a global standard, and different countries and companies have developed their own. It’s also possible to buy plug adaptor cables to enable the use of different chargers.
Car charging stations differ depending on location and manufacturer. Usually to charge an EV you need to:
Connect your charging cable to the charging station.
Connect the cable to your EV. If the charging station is free or does not require an extra payment method, then the EV will start charging automatically.
For charging stations that are not free, companies use different payment methods via mobile apps, credit cards or dedicated cards. Each charging station should have clear instructions attached to help you charge with ease.
For an hour of charge you can gain from 15km to 2,000km of driving range depending on the different charge rates (kW).
In Australia, most EVs can travel between 250 and 300km on a single charge. Tesla’s Model S Plaid has the longest range, with other models like BMW’s iX, Kia EV6, and Audi e-tron also offering extended ranges.

Conclusion

Navigating the electric highways of Australia? This guide has got you covered: from understanding the diversity of charging stations to pinpointing their locations, and breaking down costs and driving ranges of EVs.

One clear takeaway: Australia is gearing up to be EV-ready and ‌driving range concerns are becoming a thing of the past. The future of Australian roads is electric. Embracing EVs isn’t just a nod to modernity—it’s a sustainable, wallet-friendly move. 

The vast charging infrastructure and continual improvements make it easier than ever to confidently choose electric. Remember, a switch to EVs is not just about a car; it’s a commitment to a greener, more cost-effective tomorrow. If you don’t already own an EV but want to join the revolution consider a Flare novated lease

A novated lease is an arrangement between you, your employer and Flare. Your employer makes before-and-after-tax deductions to pay for your car and running costs, helping you to potentially save money on tax. And thanks to new legislation, owning an EV is now more affordable than ever before, with the introduction of EVs under the Luxury Car Tax Limit ($89,332) now exempt from paying FBT. When you opt for a novated lease with Flare, we arrange everything from sourcing your new car to helping you apply for finance and even having your car delivered! You could have a brand new EV in your driveway in no time. 

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Learn about Australia’s EV charging with Flare: where to charge, costs, range, and more.