For car owners and first-time novated lease holders, managing car expenses across fuel, vehicle registration, servicing, tyres, and insurance can lead to frustration with out-of-pocket costs, especially when trying to keep track of every receipt and budget for bills that arrive simultaneously. 

That’s precisely why novated leasing is gaining traction across Australia. It lets you bundle your running costs (fuel included) into one neat, tax-smart payment.

So, does a novated lease come with a fuel card? Yes, and not just any fuel card. A lot of novated leases (Vehicle Solutions’, for instance) include a high-coverage fuel card accepted at over 90% of service stations nationwide, including Shell, BP, Coles Express and Woolworths. Our fuel card also covers a range of vehicle service , tyre, battery and windscreen outlets to ensure almost all of your running costs are covered. It’s part of your weekly lease deduction, so you don’t pay out of pocket or chase reimbursements. 

Is Fuel Included in a Novated Lease?

Yes, it usually is. One of the top benefits of a novated lease from Vehicle Solutions is the ability to pay for fuel with a fuel card provider using pre-tax salary, which can significantly lower your taxable income.

Here’s how it works:

  • Your fuel card is preloaded based on estimated fuel usage.
  • You simply swipe it at most major fuel retailers across Australia.
  • The fuel spend is already factored into your one regular payment, so no out-of-pocket cost or need to keep receipts.

Other Benefits of a Novated Lease

Fuel cards are just one part of a smarter, stress-free ownership experience through novated lease. With Vehicle Solutions, your novated lease also includes other running costs and benefits like:

Servicing and Maintenance

Covers all scheduled logbook services as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, typically every 10,000–15,000 km or every 6–12 months, whichever comes first. Services can be completed at authorised dealerships or accredited mechanics nationwide.

Tyres, Batteries & Windscreen Repairs

You’ll get replacements for up to four new tyres every 40,000–50,000 km, battery changes when needed, and windscreen chips or cracks covered under your plan. It depends on the wear cycle and lease term.

Registration & Roadside Assistance

All state registration costs and CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance are included in your lease. Plus, 24/7 roadside assistance is included, covering breakdowns, flat tyres, battery jump-starts, and towing if needed.

Car Insurance

Your lease includes comprehensive car insurance, often with options to set your excess (usually $500–$1,000) to suit your budget. Vehicle Solutions can connect you with nationally recognised insurers with strong claims support.

Fuel Costs

Through the included fuel card, you can purchase fuel at over 90% of service stations in Australia, including major providers such as Shell, BP, 7-Eleven, Coles Express, and Caltex Woolworths. Your employer loads the card according to your agreed-upon fuel budget, and you swipe it as needed.

GST Savings

You don’t pay GST on the purchase price of your new car, nor the ongoing running costs (like fuel, tyres, insurance, or servicing). That’s a 10% saving upfront and ongoing, which, on a $45,000 car, is a $4,500 benefit right off the bat.

No Receipts or Reimbursements

Forget the paperwork. All vehicle expenses are paid through your employer before tax is taken out. You don’t need to keep fuel receipts or claim reimbursements from payroll. It’s all automated.

A Case Study

Let’s say you lease a Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring AWD with a drive-away price of $48,000:

  • You save ~$4,800 in GST (10%).
  • You can save $2,500–$4,000/year in tax by packaging fuel, rego, servicing, insurance, and tyres into your pre-tax salary.
  • Your fuel card works at Coles Express and stacks with a 4c per litre discount.

Over a standard 5-year lease, that’s potentially $10,000–$14,000 in total savings depending on your income bracket and vehicle usage.

Instead of scrambling to budget for unexpected expenses or filing reimbursements, your car expenses are managed through your pre-tax salary, which could save you thousands annually depending on your income bracket.

Are Novated Leases for EVs Worth It?

More than ever! Thanks to the Federal Government’s tax exemption on electric vehicles under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, novated leasing an EV could mean zero FBT (Fringe Benefits Tax) and even bigger savings.

If you’re in Adelaide or anywhere in South Australia, you’ve probably noticed EV charging stations popping up in more places, from city carparks to regional highways. Combine that with a tax-free lease and reduced fuel dependency, and the total cost of ownership drops significantly.

Vehicle Solutions also works with Motorbuys Australia, giving you access to a wide range of new cars, including electric vehicles, at competitive prices, already packaged for novated leasing.

Who Owns the Car Under a Novated Lease?

In short: you do.

While your employer facilitates the lease by deducting repayments from your pre-tax salary, the vehicle is registered in your name. You get full control over the car make, model, features, and even where you get it serviced.

At the end of the lease term, you can:

  • Pay out the residual to own the car outright
  • Refinance or upgrade to a newer model
  • Or simply return the vehicle and walk away

You’re not tied down, and you get all the perks of car ownership with added tax savings and budgeting convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fuel benefits of leasing a car through a novated lease?

Some car leasing fuel benefits include having your fuel costs covered through a pre-loaded fuel card as part of your novated lease. This fuel card is paid for using your pre-tax salary and is accepted at over 90% of service stations across Australia. With Vehicle Solutions, it also covers tyres, batteries, servicing.

What are the fuel benefits of leasing a car through a novated lease?

Definitely. Even with a petrol vehicle, the savings from paying fuel costs, maintenance, and registration using pre-tax income can add up. The convenience also helps with managing your overall car budget.

Is a novated lease worth it for petrol cars?

If you exceed the estimated usage, your card still works. You’ll just see an adjustment in your lease payments to balance the difference.

The Easy Way to Manage Fuel and Car Expenses – All Pre-Tax

With over 40 years of local experience in finance and automotive, Vehicle Solutions has helped thousands of South Australians simplify their car ownership experience. We now support over 280 employers nationwide with novated leases that deliver real value, real flexibility, and real tax savings.

Want to know how much you could save? Contact us or call our Adelaide team at (08) 8338 4427 today.