PromoBest Fuel Card for Small Business in Australia
Fuel is one of the largest operating costs for pretty much any small business in Australia. Using the wrong card can quietly cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. The right fuel card helps track expenses, provides access to discounts, simplifies accounting and slashes costly admin time. This guide compares Australia’s leading options […]
Fuel is one of the largest operating costs for pretty much any small business in Australia. Using the wrong card can quietly cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. The right fuel card helps track expenses, provides access to discounts, simplifies accounting and slashes costly admin time.
This guide compares Australia’s leading options and explains which is the best match for your business needs. Please note that this is an informational guide only: you should always check with individual fuel card providers to find the best fit for your business.
What is a fuel card and do small businesses need one?
A fuel card is a payment card linked to a business account, used specifically for fuel and vehicle expenses. Unlike a personal credit card, it lets businesses track spending per driver or vehicle, access automated reporting and GST-compliant invoices, and set spending controls and limits. You might find that some cards also offer optional loyalty rewards. To apply for a business fuel card, you need an active ABN.
To learn more about how fuel cards differ from regular credit cards, see fuel card vs. credit card.
Fuel cards come in two types:
Business fuel cards are suited to small fleets looking for straight-forward tracking and expense management. Fleet fuel cards include more detailed reporting, multi-vehicle management, spending control and integration with accounting software.
For the majority of small businesses, the main value is cleaner accounting, better cash flow visibility and lower fuel costs than using cash or a personal card. See the benefits of using a fuel card for more details.
What to prioritise when choosing a fuel card
Fuel site network
A larger network means more flexibility, particularly for businesses with vehicles travelling across different regions. Multi-brand cards are worth considering if your drivers refuel at different stations, whereas single-brand cards work well if you’re loyal to one provider.
Discounts per litre
It’s worth separating ongoing discounts from promotional rates. Ongoing discounts give you predictable savings you can plan around, rather than a short-term rate that drops off.
Reporting and accounting integration
Cards like those from FleetCard that sync up with software like Xero let you connect fuel expenses, access GST-compliant invoices and track spending by driver or vehicle. That cuts any admin time and reduces the risk of manual errors. Find out how to sync your fuel expenses with Xero.
Spending controls
Cards that let you set limits by driver, vehicle, fuel type, or day reduce the risk of misuse or fraud.
Monthly fees
Most cards charge a fee per card. Run the numbers against the discount rate before assuming a card will save you money overall.
EV compatibility
If your business has electric vehicles, check which cards support EV charging.
Rewards and loyalty programs
Some cards offer points through Velocity, Flybuys, or Qantas. FleetCard Rewards+ lets businesses earn Velocity points as part of day-to-day fuel management.
What are the best fuel cards for small businesses in Australia?
1. FleetCard
- Network: Accepted at over 90% of fuel sites nationwide
- Discount: Up to 6 cents per litre off
- Features: EV charging, Xero integration, Velocity Points via Rewards+, driver and vehicle-level tracking
- Best for: Businesses needing multi-brand flexibility and detailed management tools
FleetCard is Australia’s most widely accepted multi-brand fuel card, ranked Canstar Blue number one in 2025. It covers reporting, spending controls, and loyalty rewards all in one place. This is a fantastic option for fleets that travel across multiple states or refuel at different brands.
For transport and logistics businesses, see FleetCard for transport and logistics businesses.
2. Shell Card
- Network: 1,500+ sites
- Discount: 4c per litre ongoing
- Features: Flybuys points, accessible setup for businesses trading less than 12 months
- Best for: Businesses that mainly refuel at Shell
Shell Card suits small businesses that stick to Shell stations. It’s accessible for newer companies, though the smaller network limits flexibility if your drivers travel widely.
3. WEX Motorpass
- Network: 6,500+ sites
- Discount: Varies
- Features: EV charging, prepaid option, detailed reporting
- Best for: Large or diverse fleets
WEX Motorpass is accepted at more sites than any other card in Australia. The prepaid option makes it workable for businesses without a credit history. It suits more complex fleet setups that need detailed tracking and EV support.
4. AmpolCard
- Network: 1,900 Ampol sites
- Discount: Fixed per litre rate
- Features: Everyday Rewards points, straightforward account management
- Best for: Businesses that mostly refuel at Ampol
AmpolCard delivers predictable savings if the majority of your refuelling happens at Ampol, although it’s less useful if your fleet crosses brands or regions regularly.
5. 7-Eleven Fuel Pass
- Network: Approximately 700 7-Eleven locations
- Discount: Up to 6c per litre via the 7-Eleven site network
- Fuel Price Lock app
- Features: Budget-friendly, prepaid option
- Best for: Small or budget-conscious fleets
The 7-Eleven Fuel Pass locks in pricing at 7-Eleven sites. The per-litre savings can be competitive, but limited coverage only suits businesses with predictable refuelling patterns.
| Card | Network Size | Discount Rate | Monthly Fee | Best For | Pros & Cons | Verdict |
| FleetCard | 6,200+ | Up to 6c/L | Varies | Multi-brand fleets | Pros: EV, Xero, Rewards+; Cons: Fee per card | Top choice for flexible, multi-state fleets |
| Shell Card | 1,500+ | 4c/L | Varies | Brand-loyal small businesses | Pros: Flybuys, easy setup; Cons: Smaller network | Good for Shell-only fleets |
| WEX Motorpass | 6,500+ | Varies | Varies | Large/diverse fleets | Pros: Prepaid, EV compatible; Cons: Complexity | Best for large or multi-region fleets |
| AmpolCard | 1,900 | Fixed | Varies | Ampol-focused businesses | Pros: Fixed discount, Rewards; Cons: Single-brand | Best for Ampol refuels |
| 7-Eleven Fuel Pass | ~700 | Up to 6c/L | Varies | Small, budget fleets | Pros: Fuel Price Lock; Cons: Limited sites | Budget-friendly option |
Which fuel card is right for your small business?
The right choice depends on where your fleet refuels, how many vehicles you run and what really matters most to your business. This article is a guide only. Always check with individual fuel card providers to find the best fit for your business.
Multi-state or multi-brand fleets are best served by FleetCard or WEX Motorpass. New businesses with limited credit history should look at Shell Card or WEX Prepaid. If you mostly refuel at Ampol, AmpolCard makes sense. For Velocity Points, FleetCard Rewards+ is the only option. Sole traders or those just starting out should check ABN requirements and consider whether a prepaid card suits their situation.
FleetCard’s acceptance at over 90% of fuel sites nationwide, combined with sophisticated fleet management tools, EV support and up to 6c per litre off, makes it a practical starting point for most small businesses. Use the FleetCard savings calculator to estimate your potential savings, or apply online.
