If you’ve filled up recently, you already know the situation. The national average for unleaded petrol has climbed past $1.98 per litre, with diesel touching $2.50 per litre in some capital cities. Businesses that rely on vehicles — tradies, delivery drivers, freight operators, sales teams — are feeling this deeply. For a fleet of just five vehicles doing 500 km a week, the difference between last year’s prices and today’s can easily amount to thousands of dollars a year in additional costs.
We’ve been comparing fuel cards for Australian businesses for years, and we can tell you this: the businesses that are managing this environment best are not the ones waiting for prices to fall. They’re the ones who have locked in a fuel card deal — and in many cases, they’re saving on every single litre they buy, right now.
This article walks you through exactly why prices are where they are, when they might ease, and most importantly, the practical steps you can take today to cut your fuel bill significantly.
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Why Are Fuel Prices So High in 2026?
The short answer is that Australia is caught in the crossfire of global events it cannot control. Australia imports approximately 90% of its refined liquid fuel , which means world crude oil prices flow directly to the pump with very little buffer.
The primary driver of the current spike is the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — the only sea passage connecting the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open ocean. With that corridor under pressure, global crude oil prices have surged by around 10%, and analysts are warning that pump prices in Australia could jump by a further 40 cents per litre . For a 60-litre tank, that’s an extra $24 every time you fill up.
On top of this, global demand for fuel remains strong, and Australia’s emergency strategic fuel reserve — while at its highest level in 15 years — still only covers an estimated 34 days of diesel consumption . The ACCC is monitoring the market closely for price gouging, but it has no power to override normal market increases.
The bottom line: Prices are unlikely to fall significantly in the short term. The government’s gas reservation policy, which could offer some insulation, does not take effect until 2027. Until then, the best protection for your business is to lock in savings at the pump — and that’s precisely what a fuel card does.
When Will Fuel Prices Come Down?
We get asked this constantly, and we always give the same honest answer: nobody knows for certain. The trajectory depends on how quickly the Middle East conflict is resolved, whether global supply chains stabilise, and how the Australian dollar performs against the US dollar (since oil is priced in USD).
What we do know is that the structural factors driving prices — Australia’s heavy reliance on imported refined fuel, a non-compliant strategic reserve, and volatile global politics — are not going to disappear overnight. Experts we follow suggest that the first half of 2026 will remain elevated, with any meaningful relief unlikely before late 2026 at the earliest.
That’s why we recommend acting now rather than waiting. The savings from a fuel card start from your very first fill-up.
The Most Powerful Tool in Your Arsenal: Pump Price Discounts
The headline benefit of any fuel card is the cents-per-litre discount you receive every time a driver fills up. These are not loyalty points or cashback that arrives weeks later — they are immediate, automatic reductions to the price you pay at the pump.
Right now, several providers are running exceptional promotional offers for new customers. We’ve pulled the latest data directly from our comparison database to give you a clear picture:
| Fuel Card | Promo Discount (c/L) | Ongoing Discount (c/L) | Monthly Card Fee | Promo Card Fee | Network Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Card ⭐ | 6c (regular) / 6c (diesel) | 2c / 4c premium | $2.50 | $0 for 6 months | 1,500+ Shell & Coles Express sites |
| WEX Motorpass ⭐ | 5c | 1c | $5.99 | $0 for 6 months | 6,000+ multi-brand locations |
| FleetCard | 6c at Shell / 3c at 7-Eleven | 3c at Shell / 1c at 7-Eleven | $5.99 | $2.99 | 6,200+ (90% of AU stations) |
| AmpolCard | 8c | 2c – 4c | $2.95 | NA | 2,000+ Ampol & EG Ampol |
| BP Plus | N/A | 2c – 3c | $2.95 | N/A | 1,400+ BP sites |
| 7-Eleven Fuel Pass | 10c | 3c | $0.00 | NA | 640+ 7-Eleven sites |
| StarCard (Caltex) | 6c – 8c | 4c – 7c | $2.50 | $0.00 | 550+ Caltex + 6,000 WEX |
| United Card | 5c | 4c | $2.95–$4.95 | N/A | 500+ United sites |
⭐ Indicates our preferred/recommended providers. Data last updated January 2026. Discounts and fees are subject to change — always confirm with the provider before applying.
Let’s Do the Maths
Say you have a fleet of 5 vehicles, each filling up 80 litres twice a week. That’s 800 litres per week, or roughly 41,600 litres per year.
With the Shell Card’s promotional rate of 6c/L for the first six months, you’d save $2,496 in the first six months alone. After the promo period, at the ongoing rate of 2c/L (regular), you’d continue saving around $832 per year — on top of the promo savings. And that’s before you factor in the $0 card fees during the promo period.
For a fleet using the WEX Motorpass at its promotional rate of 5c/L, the maths are similarly compelling, with the added benefit of access to over 6,000 locations — meaning your drivers are almost never out of network.
It’s Not Just About the Pump: The Hidden Savings
Here’s what many business owners miss when they first look at fuel cards: the pump discount is just the beginning. The real, long-term value of a fuel card comes from what it does to the rest of your business.
1. GST and Tax Credits — Done Automatically
If you’re still manually collecting fuel receipts from your drivers to reconcile GST claims, you’re spending hours on a task that a fuel card eliminates entirely. Every fuel card provider we list generates a single, consolidated, ATO-compliant invoice at the end of each billing period. Every transaction is itemised, every GST component is calculated, and everything is ready for your BAS submission.
For businesses eligible for Fuel Tax Credits (FTCs) — which apply to fuel used in heavy vehicles, off-road machinery, and certain other applications — this accurate record-keeping is not just a convenience, it’s a compliance requirement. The ATO requires detailed records to support FTC claims, and a fuel card provides exactly that.
2. Admin Time Saved = Real Money
Think about the hours your bookkeeper or admin staff spend each month chasing receipts, manually entering transactions, and reconciling fuel expenses. For a small business, this can easily be 3–5 hours per month. At an average admin rate of $35–$50 per hour, that’s $1,260–$3,000 per year in labour costs — just for fuel administration.
A fuel card cuts this to near zero. Many cards offer direct integration with accounting software like Xero and MYOB, so your fuel expenses flow automatically into your accounts.
3. Fraud and Misuse Prevention — A Cost You Might Not Know You Have
Fuel fraud is more common than most business owners realise. It ranges from employees filling up personal vehicles, to purchasing non-fuel items at the service station, to more sophisticated schemes involving card sharing or odometer manipulation.
A fuel card gives you a suite of controls to eliminate this risk:
Spend controls: Set a daily or weekly dollar limit per card, based on the vehicle’s tank size and typical usage. Any attempt to exceed this limit is simply declined.
Product restrictions: Restrict each card to fuel only, or even to a specific fuel type (e.g., diesel only for a diesel truck). This prevents drivers from purchasing snacks, drinks, or car wash services on the company account.
Time and location restrictions: Some providers allow you to restrict card usage to business hours, so a card used at 11pm on a Saturday immediately flags as suspicious.
Per-driver reporting: Because each card is assigned to a specific driver or vehicle, you have a complete audit trail. You can see exactly who bought what, where, and when.
The Shell Card in particular offers robust online portals with these controls, making them particularly strong choices for businesses that want tight oversight of their fleet spending.
Choosing the Right Card for Your Business
With so many options available, the right card depends on your specific circumstances. Here’s a quick guide:
| Business Type | Our Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small fleet, Sydney/Melbourne focus | Shell Card | Best promo rate, strong metro network, Flybuys points |
| Mixed fleet, national coverage | WEX Motorpass | 6,000+ locations, zero card fee promo, great for diverse routes |
| Large fleet, maximum flexibility | FleetCard | 90% of AU stations, strong reporting, Xero/MYOB integration |
| Ampol-heavy routes | AmpolCard | Best discount at Ampol network, Everyday Rewards points |
| Qantas Points priority | BP Plus | Earn Qantas Business Rewards points on every litre |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are fuel prices so high in Australia right now?
Australia imports around 90% of its refined fuel, which means global crude oil prices directly affect what you pay at the pump. The current spike is driven primarily by the conflict in the Middle East disrupting the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, combined with strong global demand. The ACCC is monitoring the market, but it cannot override normal market price increases.
When will fuel prices come down in Australia?
Analysts suggest that prices are likely to remain elevated through the first half of 2026. Any meaningful relief depends on a resolution of the Middle East conflict and a stabilisation of global supply chains. The government’s domestic gas reservation policy, which could offer some protection, does not take effect until 2027.
How much can I actually save with a fuel card?
It depends on your fleet size and fuel consumption. For a fleet of five vehicles filling up 80 litres twice a week, a 6c/L promotional discount saves over $2,400 in the first six months. Ongoing savings at 2–4c/L continue to add up year after year.
Are fuel cards only for businesses with multiple vehicles?
Not at all. Even a sole trader with a single ute can benefit significantly from the pump discounts, simplified GST reporting, and fraud protection that a fuel card provides. Many cards have no minimum fleet size requirement.
Can I use a fuel card at any petrol station?
It depends on the card. The WEX Motorpass and FleetCard are accepted at the widest range of brands, covering over 6,000 locations each. Brand-specific cards like the Shell Card or AmpolCard have smaller but still substantial networks. Our comparison tool lets you filter by the brands available in your area.
Do fuel cards help with GST claims?
Yes — this is one of the most valuable and underappreciated benefits. Every fuel card we list provides a single, ATO-compliant invoice that details every transaction, including the GST component. This makes your BAS preparation straightforward and ensures you never miss a claimable input tax credit.
What happens if a card is lost or stolen?
All providers allow you to cancel a card immediately via their online portal or by calling their customer service team. Because each card has spending limits and product restrictions already in place, the potential damage from a lost card is already minimised. This is a significant advantage over cash or a general-purpose credit card.
Is there a lock-in contract with a fuel card?
Most fuel cards do not have a minimum term contract. You can cancel at any time. However, promotional rates are typically tied to a minimum period (e.g., six months), so it’s worth reading the terms carefully before applying.
Ready to Lock In Your Savings?
With fuel prices at record highs and no clear sign of relief on the horizon, there has never been a better time to get a fuel card. Our comparison tool makes it easy to find the best deal for your business in under two minutes.
See which fuel card fits your business
Check eligibilityFuel Card Comparison is an independent comparison service. We compare the major Australian fuel card providers to help you find the best deal for your business. Our service is free to use. We may receive a referral fee from providers when you apply through our site.
