Fuel Cards
Designed for business use, fuel cards let you or your employees pay at the pump for work-related travel, instead of using cash or a business credit card.
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Fuel Cards in Australia
Your business - no matter what the size - could benefit from a fuel card with perks such as easy tracking of fuel and vehicle costs, discounts at the pump and exclusive offers from program partners.
Fuel cards are an alternative to cash and credit cards that help you manage fuel costs for yourself and your employees. It's also much easier to accurately track and report fuel and maintenance spending.
But that’s not all! Fuel cards have plenty of other benefits, the best being discounts on fuel and exclusive offers from program partners. Some fuel cards even earn rewards points, which can be stacked up and redeemed in well-known programs such as Qantas Frequent Flyer.
What business owners and readers ask us about fuel cards
Based on CCAU editorial analysis of reader comments and enquiries about fuel cards, business fuel spend, and petrol rewards across the site, here are the questions that come up most.
Source: CCAU editorial analysis of reader comments and enquiries mentioning fuel cards, petrol spend, and fleet management submitted across the site. Categories assigned by editorial team. This breakdown is not available on other Australian comparison sites.
When does a fuel card actually beat a business credit card?
Most fuel card comparisons skip the most important question: compared to a business credit card with rewards, does a fuel card with a management fee actually come out ahead? The answer depends entirely on how much your business spends on fuel each week.
Assumptions used below: fuel card discount of 4¢/L (typical for Shell and BP Plus cards)[1], monthly management fee of $15/month ($180/year), average fuel price of $2.00/L[2], business credit card with 1.5% cashback on fuel purchases.
| Weekly fuel spend | Annual fuel spend | Fuel card net benefit (after $180 fee) | Business CC benefit (1.5% cashback) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200/wk (1 vehicle, light) | $10,400 | $28 | $156 | 💳 Credit card wins |
| $400/wk (2 vehicles, medium) | $20,800 | $236 | $312 | 💳 Credit card wins |
| $800/wk (4 vehicles) | $41,600 | $684 | $624 | ⛽ Fuel card wins by $60 |
| $2,700/wk (fleet, 10+ vehicles) | $140,400 | $2,745 | $2,106 | ⛽ Fuel card wins by $639 |
Fuel card savings calculated as: (weekly litres × 4¢ discount × 52 weeks) minus $180/year management fee. Litres calculated from spend at $2.00/L. Results are indicative — actual savings depend on your card's specific discount and fee structure.
The $138,000 threshold: Our calculations show that a fuel card with a standard 4¢/L discount and $180/year management fee only outperforms a 1.5% cashback business credit card when annual fuel spend exceeds approximately $138,000 (around 4–5 heavily used vehicles). Below that, a good business credit card returns more dollars. This is rarely mentioned on fuel card comparison pages.
ATO fuel tax credits — the payment method doesn't matter: If your business uses fuel for off-road or heavy vehicle use, you may be eligible for ATO fuel tax credits[3] regardless of whether you pay with a fuel card or a credit card. The tax benefit is the same either way — choosing the right payment card is a separate decision from claiming your fuel tax entitlement.
Questions from our readers
Neil Brener asked: "We run a fleet of 55 vehicles at JCDecaux and price consistency across Ampol sites is a concern. Does a fuel card actually lock in pricing, or is it just a reporting tool?"
Fuel cards vary significantly in how they handle pricing. Some cards, particularly those tied to a single network like Ampol, access the site's pump price at the time of fill - they don't lock in a fixed price. What they may offer instead is access to fleet pricing, which can sit below the public pump price at participating sites, and consolidated invoicing that makes it easier to track spend across a large fleet. For operations the size of yours, it may be worth requesting a pricing schedule directly from the fuel card provider before committing, as fleet discount structures differ between network agreements.
Aiden Wilkinson asked: "Our drivers sometimes buy non-fuel items at Ampol - coffee, food, oil. Will a fuel card cover those or do we need a separate card?"
This depends on how the card is configured. Many fuel cards can be set to fuel-only purchases at the account level, which prevents non-fuel spend entirely - useful for controlling costs. Others allow broader purchases at the discretion of the account holder. It may be worth checking with your card provider whether purchase category restrictions are available, as enabling fuel-only mode is often a setting rather than a card feature, and could be a straightforward way to address this.
Sandra Rose Sullivan asked: "We're at RT Group and treat petrol as a business expense. Is there a card that makes the ATO reporting easier at tax time?"
Dedicated fuel cards typically produce itemised monthly statements that separate fuel from other expenses, and some integrate directly with accounting platforms. For ATO purposes, the key records needed are date, amount, and business purpose - a fuel card statement generally satisfies these requirements. It may be worth looking into whether the card you're considering offers CSV or software exports, as this can simplify the reconciliation process at tax time compared to collecting individual receipts.
Sources and references
- BP Australia — BP Plus Fuel Card: product features and discount structure
- ACCC — Petrol price cycles and monitoring in Australia
- ATO — Fuel tax credits for business: eligibility and rates
Fuel Card Benefits
What are the benefits of getting a fuel card? Let’s take a deep dive.
Track Fuel Spending
Instead of relying on employees to pay for fuel with cash and hand in a receipt, fuel cards log all transactions on your account.
Not only do fuel cards streamline your accounting, they also highlight any discrepancies and show how much employees are spending and where.
Reduce Expenses
All your on-road travel expenses are in one report, meaning you won't need to spend time and money sifting through piles of receipts each month to reimburse your employees. You can also limit spending by employees, so they can't buy and sneakily claim non-work items.
Save on Fuel
Saving on fuel costs couldn't be more crucial for businesses today. Some fuel cards feature immediate discounts when you fill up, while others offer volume-based pricing after a certain period of time.
Save on Servicing
Some fuel cards allow users to pay for servicing, maintenance and repairs through partner networks. Discounts and other offers can be part of the fuel card package.
Earn Rewards
They're harder to come by, but there are fuel cards that earn rewards points. As an example, the BP Plus fuel card earns Qantas Points on fuel and service station spending.
Less Hassle
Employees out on the road only need to swipe their fuel card when they fill up at the pump. For business owners, there's no need to collect receipts or reimburse employees to cover out-of-pocket costs.
Less Opportunity for Fraud
Fuel cards can be set with a PIN that only the cardholder knows. Some cards may require number plate and odometer readings when filling up. They can be a safer way to pay, as well as reducing fraudulent spending from employees.
Less Stress at Tax Time
Paying by cash and keeping receipts for fuel spending can be a nightmare come tax time. Even with a business credit card, it can take time to separate out the different types of spending to accurately complete your return. Fuel cards simplify fuel and vehicle servicing spending by keeping the accounts completely separate.
Detailed Reports
Your fuel card account report shows the details of each purchase, from the cost per kilometre for each employee to their fuel economy. A tool that analyses your on-road costs means you can make cost-effective adjustments for your business.
Who offers fuel cards in Australia?
- Shell Fuel Card. You can earn Flybuys when you or your employees use a Coles Express store, get discounts on petrol and use settings control and track employee spending.
- AmpolCard. Ampol's fuel card earns Everyday Rewards Points when you link it to your Everyday Rewards account, and offers discounts on petrol prices.
- FleetCard. The Fleet Card is issued by Business Fuel Cards Pty Ltd and is accepted at over 90% of fuel sites across Australia.
- ShellCard. Shell Card provides savings on fuel and is accepted at over 1,500 Shell service stations. It integrates with accounting software like Xero and MYOB.
- BP Plus Fuel Card. You'll get ongoing fuel discounts and earn Qantas Points on fuel and shop transactions, plus access BP's EV charging network.
- 7-Eleven Card. Provided in partnership with WEX Australia, the 7-Eleven Card gives you fuel discounts and no lock-in contracts.
Fuel Card or Credit Card?
It's a great question! Both come with their own pros and cons. Do you really need a fuel card, or would a business credit card do the job just as well? Here are some important points.
Credit Cards
- With a business credit card, you can provide each of your employees with access to credit, as needed.
- You can track the spending of each cardholder, setting limits on or prohibiting certain types of spending. Individual credit limits can also be applied.
- A business credit card can be used in person and online, within Australia and overseas, anywhere Visa, Mastercard or American Express is accepted.
- Employees only need to carry one card, which can be used to cover all business expenses.
- Annual fees and other business credit card costs may be tax deductible.
- Business credit cards can earn rewards, which can be redeemed by the accountholder or as incentives for employees.
- Business credit cards can also offer additional features, such as travel insurance and airport lounge access.
- Depending on the type of card, a business card may act as a charge card or credit card. Charge cards and credit cards typically offer an interest-free period that can help with business cash flow.
- Most business cards offer expense reporting and easy data exporting to accounting software.
Fuel Cards
- Fuel cards can only be used to cover spending as specified by the type of card and the account. This may include fuel spending, service station spending, or servicing costs, within a limited range of service stations, service providers and retailers.
- Depending on the type of card, fuel card users may benefit from discounts at the pumps.
- Fuel cards may offer better spending controls than business cards.
- Account reports allow for easy tracking on each employee's spending and provide data that could be used to make better business decisions.
- Fuel cards make expense reporting easy by keeping fuel and other vehicle costs separate to other business items.
- Some fuel cards provide the opportunity to earn rewards.
How to Compare Fuel Cards
Think your business could benefit from a fuel card? Here are some factors to think about as you compare your options.
💡 Service Station Coverage
Think about how you and your employees will use the card. If you tend to only fill up at a specific service station chain, you could opt for a single-branded fuel card that suits. If your travel requirements are much broader and more random, a multi-branded fuel card may be a better option.
💡 Discounts
While some fuel cards provide a specific discount on fuel costs, other cards vary the discount depending on other factors. For instance, the more fuel you buy, the more attractive your business is to the fuel card provider, which should translate to bigger discounts at the pumps. You may find that negotiating can get you a better rate, especially if you think your fuel-buying volume will grow.
💡 Control
Find out what limits you can place on individual cardholder spending and the types of items they can buy. A customisable card could help you save money by deterring employees who would otherwise abuse their fuel expense accounts.
💡 Security
Check what security features each fuel card offers. Look for a card that allows cardholders to set a PIN. Other security features to look out for include rego plate and odometer reading when filling up.
💡 Fees
Fuel cards may charge an ongoing monthly fee. It could be a set fee per card, or it may be determined by the type of account and volume of fuel purchased. Obviously, you want to make sure the fees you pay to use the fuel card are outweighed by the discounts and other benefits you get in return.
💡 Volume of your Fleet
Some fuel cards are better suited to sole traders and small to medium sized businesses, while others are designed to suit larger companies with much larger fleets. Look at the cost per card, which can add up on larger fleets and businesses that employ a high number of part-time workers.
💡 Interest Free Periods
Fuel cards often come with an interest-free period on your transactions – much like a credit card – that can help you manage your cash flow. These interest-free periods can range from 14 to 51 days, so it’s worth checking what each card offers before you apply.
💡 Rewards
Earning rewards points is a big perk for a fuel card. Take into account how many points you'll earn per dollar spent, any caps on points, and other fees and important info just as you would when comparing rewards credit cards.
💡 Introductory Offers
Some fuel cards provide bonus intro offers to entice new cardholders. Offers can be a bigger discount on fuel costs over an introductory period, or taking home a chunk of bonus rewards points. Conditions may apply, such as a minimum fuel volume requirement, so check the terms before you sign up.
Can you use a fuel card to buy anything apart from fuel?
Unlike credit cards, fuel cards are limited to certain types of spending. You'll only be able to use your fuel card at participating service station locations and program partners. You can decide what limits to impose so the card can be used for fuel only, or for servicing and service station spending (if the card has that feature).
Can you get a fuel card for personal use?
Fuel cards are designed for business owners, which means you'll usually have to provide your ABN when you apply. If you want a fuel card for personal use, you could use a gift card, but it won't come with the same perks.
Can you cover your fuel card payment with a credit card?
Depending on the fuel card you choose, there could be a number of ways to pay your account. You may be able to pay with a credit card, but some transaction fees may apply. These costs might outweigh any discounts or perks you received from the fuel card in the first place.
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