South Australia announces fuel discount for Seniors Card holders

Over 415,000 Seniors Card holders in South Australia will be eligible to claim a discount of four cents per litre off fuel purchases at select service stations as part of a relief package from the state’s government. 

The discount is only available at United fuel stations, of which there are 26 sites in metro Adelaide, and six sites in regional South Australia. 

The four cents per litre discount is able to be used once a day, for a maximum purchase of 150 litres in a single transaction.

Permanent South Australian residents who are aged over 60, and work less than 20 hours per week are eligible to apply for a Seniors Card. 

In June 2023, it was reported household transport costs had risen by 7.4 per cent throughout the first three months of the year, outpacing inflation of 1.4 per cent over the same period. 

According to the report, the average Australian household now spends more than $400 each week, or 15.8 per cent of its income on car loans, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, among other costs – up from 15.1 per cent in the previous three-month period.

Last week the Australian government again raised the fuel excise — with the latest increase on Monday 5 February 2024 taking it from 48.8 cents per litre to 49.6 cents per litre, before GST.

Though the 0.8-cent hike appears small, if it is passed onto the consumer in its entirety, it will amount to an extra $64 for a refill for a large SUV with an 80-litre fuel tank – before GST is applied.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story erroneously listed the maximum amount of fuel available for discounting each day as 15L, however the limit is 150L. This story has been updated; Drive apologises for the error.