Across Australia, state governments are cracking down on fuel price opacity. For service station owners, this means real-time price reporting is no longer optional, it’s a legal requirement. In Victoria, the Fair Fuel Plan is rolling out in 2025, we’ll look at that more closely in this article. In NSW, the FuelCheck system has been in force since 2016. While both aim to protect consumers, the rules, platforms, and penalties differ. If you operate across states – or even just want to stay ahead of future changes – understanding both systems is critical.
Victoria’s Fair Fuel Plan
Phase 1 – Price Reporting
From 6 August 2025, all fuel retailers in Victoria must report any price change within 30 minutes to Service Victoria either through the online portal or via an API link.
Phase 2 – 24-Hour Price Freeze (pending legislation)
The next stage will require prices to be set a day in advance and locked for 24 hours, preventing mid-day increases. The goal is cost-of-living relief for motorists.
Key Points for Owners & Operators
- Register your business profile with Service Victoria and list all fuel-selling sites.
- Report price changes or unavailability of a fuel type within 30 minutes.
- Keep compliance records (time logs, confirmation receipts) for reference.
- Display non-discounted retail prices on boards; discounts can be noted separately.
Official Sources:
- Service Victoria – Fuel Retailers
- Consumer Affairs Victoria – Mandatory Fuel Price Reporting
- Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading (Fuel Price Reporting) Regulations 2025
NSW FuelCheck – The Existing Benchmark
NSW has operated FuelCheck since 2016. It requires immediate reporting of all price changes via a web portal or API to NSW Fair Trading.
Key Points for Owners & Operators
- All sites must be registered; penalties apply for failing to do so.
- Prices must exactly match bowser displays, any mismatch can trigger fines.
- Signage must show the standard retail price (not loyalty or voucher discounts) for up to four fuels.
- Customers can report mismatches directly through FuelCheck; regulators investigate promptly.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
- Up to $11,000 for corporations failing to register.
- Up to $1,100 per offence for incorrect or late reporting.
Official Sources:
Fair Fuel Plan vs. FuelCheck: Key Differences
| Feature | Victoria – Fair Fuel Plan | NSW – FuelCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting Deadline | Within 30 minutes of a change | Immediate (system designed for real-time updates) |
| Platform | Service Victoria portal/API | FuelCheck web portal/API |
| Registration | Yes, business profile and site listing required | Yes, site registration mandatory, fines for non-registration |
| Penalties | Not finalised; will be enforced in Phase 2 | $1,100 per offence (incorrect/late reporting) |
| Signage Rules | Non-discounted price shown; discounts optional | Non-discounted price shown for up to four fuels |
| Customer Reporting | Not yet implemented | Active reporting via FuelCheck app |
Why This Matters for Service Station Owners
- Compliance Risk: Fines can be substantial, and compliance is public-facing, meaning errors damage trust.
- Operational Pressure: Console operators become frontline compliance officers, needing clear processes and training.
- Cross-Border Complexity: For owners operating in both NSW and VIC, two different systems mean double the training and oversight.
- Brand Opportunity: Transparency builds consumer trust and can be leveraged as a competitive edge.
How Oracle Petroleum Can Help
At OP, we go beyond basic compliance and turn these regulations into an advantage.
1. Multi-State Compliance Setup
- Register your sites in both Service Victoria and FuelCheck.
- Set up API integrations for automated, accurate price reporting.
2. Staff Training
- Equip console operators to handle reporting, customer queries, and signage checks.
- Develop easy-to-follow cheat sheets for each state’s requirements.
3. Price & Signage Synchronisation Audits
- Regular audits to ensure your bowser prices, price boards, and portal/API data all match.
4. Penalty Prevention
- Monitor reporting logs and proactively address potential mismatches.
- Provide rapid-response support if a regulator investigates.
5. Future-Proofing for VIC Phase 2
- Prepare pricing strategies, operational workflows, and system readiness for the 24-hour price freeze.
The Bottom Line
Victoria’s Fair Fuel Plan is very similar to NSW’s FuelCheck and is in its early stage, history suggests the enforcement and penalty phase will come soon. By getting your systems, staff, and processes right now, you avoid costly mistakes later.
Oracle Petroleum can ensure you not only comply, but also use price transparency to strengthen your customer relationships.
Next Step: Contact OP today for a multi-state fuel compliance audit, visit oraclepetroleum.com.au/contact.