26/10/2026
Fuel Levies & Freight Rates
Fuel prices fluctuate constantly, but that doesn’t mean your profit margins have to take the hit.
One common trap for Australian transport operators is absorbing price hikes rather than passing them through. When was the last time you adjusted your freight rates or fuel surcharge mechanism?
Actionable steps to safeguard your revenue:
⛽ Audit fuel surcharge clauses: Ensure current customer contracts reflect real-time bowser fluctuations.
⛽ Review indexation intervals: Shift from quarterly adjustments to monthly or fortnightly reviews if volatility continues.
⛽ Stop subsidising freight: If a contract doesn’t cover cost movements, renegotiate or reallocate fleet capacity.
You can't dictate the price at the pump, but you can control what you charge to move the freight.
Are your current fuel levies fully covering your pump costs, or are you eating into your margins?
Speak to your accountant or finance adviser to benchmark your rate structures today.