Grant James Nalder, 34, Martin Locandro, 41, and Robert Stanley Fitzpatrick, 38, were charged over the thefts which allegedly occurred from November 2018 to March 2019. The three men remain in custody.

Almost $40,000 worth of damage is reported to have occurred at the businesses allegedly targeted across Victoria, including at Clunes, Lake Bolac, Beaufort, Creswick, Skipton, Dunkeld, Ballan and Queenscliff.

Police allege the ATMs were targeted over the four months with heavy equipment vehicles used to crash through street shop fronts or equipment used to force entry to premises.

A directions hearing was held at the County Court of Victoria on Thursday via a video link to Ballarat.

The court was told Lacandro's defence counsel were confident his charges would resolve, while Nalder's defence counsel indicated they needed more time with prospects of his charges resolving.

Fitzpatrick's defence counsel called for a prosecution draft summary and indictment so they knew what the case was against Fitzpatrick.

Judge Gerard Mullaly adjourned all three cases to April 23 for a further directions hearing, while a trial has been set down for September 21.

Lacandro, of Brown Hill, Nalder, of Wendouree, and Fitzpatrick, of Haddon, face a string of offences, including burglary, theft, criminal damage, attempted theft and attempted burglary.