Fuel and transport
How to save money on petrol in Perth without chasing every discount
When filling the tank takes a bigger slice of your pay, it helps to have a repeatable plan. Start with the price of the fuel your car needs, the route you already drive and the amount you actually intend to buy.
1. Check nearby prices before leaving home
Use the free WA FuelWatch service to compare the correct fuel type near home, work or an errand you already need to do. Compare more than the closest familiar brand. Use the vehicle handbook to choose the required fuel; a cheaper price on an unsuitable grade is not a saving.
2. Turn cents per litre into dollars
A price difference looks more useful when you know what it means for your purchase. Multiply the difference in cents by the litres you plan to buy, then divide by 100. An illustrative 12-cent difference on 40 litres saves $4.80 before travel costs. This is an example, not a current price or a promised saving.
3. Check whether the detour pays for itself
Extra kilometres use fuel too. For example, an extra 10 km in a car using 8 L/100 km consumes about 0.8 litres. At an illustrative $2 per litre, that costs $1.60. The $4.80 saving above becomes about $3.20 before allowing for time. The better choice may be a slightly dearer station already on your route.
4. Put errands on one short list
Before the next trip, write down the supermarket, pharmacy, school or work stops that can reasonably share a route. Avoid a special trip for a tiny discount. Record litres and the amount paid for a few fills so you can see what your own driving costs, rather than relying on someone else’s weekly budget.
5. Compare the whole offer
A fuel voucher may involve grocery spending, a membership or a participating station. Count any extra purchase you would not otherwise make. A discount is worthwhile only when the total cost is lower for something you already need.
Your five-minute fuel check
Choose your next necessary trip, compare two or three suitable stations along that route, calculate the dollar difference and decide once. You do not need to watch prices all day. If you have already reduced driving as far as practical, there may be little more to cut; that is not a failure.
Useful official resources
Official resources checked 1 October 2026. Examples are illustrative; prices and personal circumstances vary.
Living Well for Less emails
One useful idea at a time
Practical savings checks and thoughtful home ideas, without pressure to buy more.