Australia is currently staring down the barrel of a severe fuel shortage. Across the country, we are seeing service stations bagging off their pumps, with diesel supplies being particularly hard hit. As the experts here at Fuel Card Report, my team and I have been fielding frantic calls from fleet managers, tradies, and small business owners who are suddenly realising that their daily operations are at serious risk.
When fuel is abundant, choosing a fuel card usually comes down to finding the best pump discount or the lowest monthly fee. But in a supply crisis, the conversation shifts dramatically. Suddenly, the most important question isn’t “How much am I saving?” but rather, “Will my drivers actually be able to buy fuel today?”
In this article, I want to unpack exactly why this shortage is happening, how it exposes the hidden vulnerabilities of single-brand fuel cards, and why shifting to a multi-brand strategy is the smartest move you can make to protect your business right now.
Understanding Australia’s Fuel Security Problem
To understand why your choice of fuel card matters so much right now, we need to look at the bigger picture. Australia is incredibly vulnerable when it comes to liquid fuels. We currently import up to 90% of our refined petroleum products, relying heavily on mega-refineries in Asia and complex global shipping routes.
When geopolitical tensions flare up, or supply chains experience a bottleneck, the ripple effects hit our shores fast. Unlike countries with massive strategic reserves and robust domestic refining capabilities, Australia operates on a “just-in-time” supply model.
When that model breaks down, the results are immediate. Independent stations might run dry first, followed by major branded sites waiting on delayed tanker deliveries. For a business that relies on getting from point A to point B—whether you’re delivering goods, travelling between job sites, or managing a national sales team—a dry pump isn’t just an inconvenience. It represents lost revenue, delayed projects, and damaged client relationships.
The Single-Brand Trap: When Loyalty Becomes a Liability
Let me be clear: under normal economic conditions, I am a huge advocate for single-brand fuel cards. If you have a preferred local station, locking in a dedicated card can yield fantastic financial benefits.
However, during a national fuel shortage, tying your entire fleet to a single fuel retailer becomes a massive operational liability.
Think about the logistics. Let’s say your business exclusively uses the AmpolCard. It’s a brilliant card, offering up to 4c/l off premium fuels and access to roughly 1,800 Ampol locations. But what happens if the Ampol distribution network in your specific state experiences a severe supply hiccup?
If your driver pulls up to an Ampol station and the diesel pumps are closed, they have a serious problem. Because they only hold an AmpolCard, they cannot simply drive across the intersection to a fully stocked Shell or BP. They are forced to either hunt down another Ampol (wasting time and burning whatever fuel they have left) or pay out of pocket with a personal credit card, creating an absolute nightmare for your bookkeeping team.
The same vulnerability applies to the BP Plus Card. While it provides excellent reporting and access to 1,400+ BP sites, your fleet’s mobility is entirely dependent on BP’s individual supply chain holding up under pressure.
In a crisis, extreme loyalty to one brand restricts your options. And right now, options are exactly what your business needs to survive.
Business Continuity: The Power of Multi-Brand Fuel Cards
If single-brand cards represent a bottleneck, multi-brand fuel cards are the ultimate pressure release valve.
In my opinion, the best way to safeguard your fleet against localised fuel outages is to arm your drivers with a card that is accepted almost everywhere. This strategy ensures that if one brand is out of stock, your driver can seamlessly pivot to a competitor without missing a beat.
We consistently suggest premium, multi-branded fuel cards as a winning strategy for businesses that cannot afford downtime. Let’s break down the heavy hitters that are proving their worth during this current crisis.
1. FleetCard: The All-Rounder
When it comes to keeping your business moving regardless of supply issues, the FleetCard is an absolute powerhouse. It boasts a staggering network of over 6,200 accepted sites across Australia.
What makes FleetCard so resilient is its cross-brand acceptance. Your drivers can confidently pull into Shell, Ampol, BP, 7-Eleven, Mobil, and Reddy Express locations. Furthermore, they are currently running an exceptional promotional offer: you can save 6c/l at Shell and 3c/l at 7-Eleven/Ampol during the promo period.
This means you get the deep discounts usually associated with a single-brand card, but with the massive safety net of being able to refuel anywhere if your preferred station runs dry.
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2. WEX Motorpass: Maximum Coverage
If your primary goal is to completely eliminate the phrase “we couldn’t find a station that accepts our card” from your drivers’ vocabulary, look no further than the WEX Motorpass.
Accepted at over 6,000 locations nationwide, the WEX Motorpass is arguably the most widely recognised fuel card in the country. It covers all the major players—Shell, BP, Caltex, Ampol, United, and 7-Eleven—as well as a vast array of independent operators.
If a regional supply shock takes out a major brand, WEX Motorpass holders can simply detour to a local independent servo and keep their day on track. It is the ultimate insurance policy for your fleet.
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3. Shell Card: The Strategic Hybrid
You might assume that the Shell Card falls into the “single-brand trap” I mentioned earlier. I see this misconception all the time, but it’s actually one of the smartest hybrid options on the market.
While it is branded by Shell, the card is accepted at over 1,500 locations, which critically includes Reddy Express, Liberty, Westside, and OTR stations. This gives your fleet a vital layer of redundancy. If a Shell station is waiting on a delayed tanker, your driver can head straight to a Liberty or Reddy Express without needing a backup payment method.
Combine this network flexibility with their current offer of 7c/l off during the first 6 months, and the Shell Card emerges as a highly strategic choice for businesses wanting top-tier savings without sacrificing fuel security.
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How the Best Fuel Cards Compare on Network Security
To help you visualise your options, I’ve put together a breakdown of how these cards perform specifically regarding network resilience during a supply shortage.
| Fuel Card Option | Accepted Locations | Brand Redundancy | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|
| FleetCard | 6,200+ | Shell, Ampol, BP, 7-Eleven, Mobil | Businesses needing maximum flexibility and strong promo discounts. |
| WEX Motorpass | 6,000+ | All majors + independent stations | Fleets operating in regional areas or needing ultimate peace of mind. |
| Shell Card | 1,500+ | Shell, Reddy Express, Liberty, OTR | Fleets wanting high discounts with a built-in multi-brand safety net. |
| 7-Eleven Fuel Card | 600+ (for discounts) | 7-Eleven + WEX Motorpass network | Metro-based fleets seeking clean fee structures and emergency backup. |
| AmpolCard | ~1,800 | Ampol only | High-volume users willing to accept single-network supply risks. |
| BP Plus Card | ~1,400 | BP only | BP-loyal fleets that can manage potential localised outages. |
Proactive Steps to Protect Your Business
Upgrading your fuel card strategy is the most effective move you can make, but as industry experts, we recommend taking a few extra steps to insulate your business from the current volatility:
- Implement a Dual-Card System:Â If your accounting team can handle the slight increase in admin, consider issuing two cards per vehicle. Keep your high-discount single-brand card as the primary option, but keep a multi-brand card like FleetCard in the glovebox strictly for emergencies.
- Leverage Technology on the Road:Â Encourage your drivers to use apps like PetrolSpy or MotorMouth. These community-driven platforms are excellent for spotting which stations have bagged off their diesel pumps before your driver wastes time navigating there.
- Adjust Your Refuelling Thresholds:Â In times of plenty, drivers often wait until the fuel light comes on before filling up. Change your company policy to mandate refuelling when the tank hits the quarter-full mark. This gives them a massive buffer to find an operational station if their first choice is dry.
- Monitor Your Data: Use the analytics dashboard provided by your fuel card provider. If you see drivers suddenly travelling further to refuel, or switching from regular to premium diesel because the standard pumps are empty, it’s a clear sign that local supply chains are stressing.
Final Thoughts
The Australian fuel shortage is a harsh reminder that supply chains are fragile, and operational flexibility is king. While we all hope the situation stabilises soon, the reality is that businesses need to prepare for ongoing volatility.
If your drivers are currently relying on a card that restricts them to a single brand, you are carrying an unnecessary level of risk. The last thing you want is a fully loaded vehicle stranded on the side of the highway simply because the local servo ran out of diesel and your company card isn’t accepted anywhere else.
By switching to a multi-brand solution like FleetCard, WEX Motorpass, or the strategically diverse Shell Card, you immediately remove that risk. You empower your drivers to find fuel wherever it is available, ensuring your business keeps moving forward, no matter what happens to the supply chain.
Don’t wait for the pumps to run dry in your area. Head over to our Eligibility Check or browse the full range of options at Fuel Card Report to secure a more resilient fuel strategy for your fleet today.
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