- The national average for unleaded has well surpassed $2.00/litre, with diesel hitting $2.34/litre nationally – adding over $1,200/month in extra costs for a typical three-vehicle tradie fleet
- A business fuel card is the single most effective tool to combat rising prices, with cards like Shell Card currently offering 6c/L off all fuel types for six months, plus zero card fees.
- Beyond the pump discount, fuel cards provide up to 51 days interest-free credit and ATO-compliant invoicing — making it easier to claim Fuel Tax Credits and protect your cash flow.
If you’re a tradie or run a small fleet business in Australia right now, you don’t need me to tell you that things are getting tight. Every time you pull up to the bowser, the numbers are climbing.
Driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global oil markets, Australia is currently experiencing one of its most severe fuel price shocks in recent memory. We’ve seen the national average for unleaded push well past $2.00 a litre, while diesel – the absolute lifeblood of the trades and transport sectors – is sitting at around $2.34 a litre nationally, and pushing $3.00 in some regional areas.
For a small business running two or three utes, vans, or light trucks, these aren’t just numbers on a news broadcast. They represent a direct hit to your bottom line, your cash flow, and your ability to price jobs competitively.
In my experience working with fleet managers and small business owners, moments like this separate the businesses that survive from the ones that thrive. The key difference? How you manage your fuel costs. Let’s break down exactly what this crisis means for your business, and the strategies we see working right now to protect your margins.
The Reality of the Fuel Crisis for Small Fleets
The situation is moving fast. The Federal Government has already released over 760 million litres of fuel from emergency stockpiles to help stabilise the market, and the ACCC is actively hauling in major fuel companies to explain the widening gap between wholesale and retail prices.
But while the politicians and regulators argue over supply chains, you still have to get your crew to the job site tomorrow morning.
Here is what we are seeing on the ground for tradies and small fleets:
- Cash Flow Pressure: When it costs $180 to fill up a Hilux instead of $130, that extra $50 a tank across three vehicles filling up twice a week equals an extra $1,200 a month in operating expenses. If your clients take 30 to 60 days to pay their invoices, that’s $1,200 you have to float out of your own pocket.
- Pricing Uncertainty: It’s incredibly difficult to quote on a job that’s three months away when you have no idea what it will cost to transport materials and staff to the site.
- The Threat of Rationing: While the Defence Minister has stated there is no fuel rationing “at this stage,” the government hasn’t ruled it out for the future if the conflict prolongs. For a tradie, an empty local servo isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s lost income.
How to Protect Your Business: The Fuel Card Strategy
When fuel prices spike, the first reaction is often to shop around for the cheapest pump price. But when prices are universally high, driving an extra 10 kilometres to save 2 cents a litre is a false economy. You’re burning fuel and billable time to get there.
In our opinion, the single most effective strategy to insulate your small business from this crisis is implementing a business fuel card. It’s not just about the discount at the pump — though that helps — it’s about the structural benefits it brings to your business.
Here is why a fuel card is a winning strategy right now:
Guaranteed Discounts
Instead of relying on supermarket dockets or hoping for a good day in the price cycle, the right fuel card locks in a guaranteed discount. Right now, the promotional offers in the market are some of the strongest we’ve seen.
Extended Cash Flow
This is the hidden superpower of fuel cards during a crisis. Cards like FleetCard offer up to 51 days interest-free. This means you can buy the fuel, complete the job, invoice the client, and get paid before your fuel bill is due. It completely removes the cash flow squeeze of rising pump prices.
ATO-Compliant Invoicing and Fuel Tax Credits
With the trucking industry currently lobbying the government to reduce the road user charge to zero to help businesses cope, it is more important than ever to ensure you are claiming your maximum Fuel Tax Credits. A fuel card provides a single, ATO-compliant monthly invoice. No more lost receipts fading on the dashboard of the ute, meaning your accountant can easily claim back every cent you are owed.
The Best Fuel Cards for Tradies Right Now
Based on the current market data, here are our top recommendations for small fleets looking to lock in savings immediately.
| Fuel Card | Best For | Current Promotional Offer | Ongoing Discount | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Card | High promotional savings and app integration | 6c/L off all fuel types for 6 months + $0 card fee for 6 months | 4c/L Premium, 2c/L Regular | $2.50 (after promo) |
| FleetCard | Maximum coverage and cash flow | 6c/L at Shell, 3c/L at 7-Eleven/Ampol for 6 months | Up to 6c/L depending on station | $5.99 (Classic/Corp) |
| WEX Motorpass | Flexibility and partner discounts | 5c/L off for promo period + $0 card fee (with code ZEROFEE26) | 1c/L | $5.99 |
Our Verdict
If you want the absolute highest discount to combat the current price spike, the Shell Card is incredibly strong right now. A guaranteed 6c/L off all fuels for six months, combined with zero card fees for that period, provides immediate, tangible relief to your bottom line.
Save 7c/l + $0 card fees in promo period
If your crew works across a wide geographic area and you can’t guarantee they will always be near a Shell, FleetCard is the ultimate safety net. It’s accepted at over 6,200 locations (roughly 90% of all fuel stations in Australia). You still get a massive 6c/L discount (during promo) when they do use a Shell, but you get the peace of mind knowing they can fill up almost anywhere, while giving you up to 51 days of interest-free cash flow.
Accepted at 6,000+ sites.
Finally, WEX Motorpass remains a fantastic all-rounder. With access to over 6,000 locations and discounts on servicing and tyres, it helps bring down your total fleet operating costs, not just your fuel bill.
Save 1c on all fuel
The Bottom Line
The current fuel crisis is out of your control, but how your business responds to it is entirely in your hands.
We see too many tradies absorbing these cost increases because they are too busy to optimise their operations. Don’t be one of them. Taking ten minutes today to apply for a business fuel card will lock in discounts, improve your cash flow, and ensure you capture all your tax credits.
When margins are this tight, every cent counts. Make sure those cents are staying in your business.
See which fuel card fits your business
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