South Australian motorists are collectively saving more than $58 million a year simply by checking fuel prices before filling up, with new data showing how dramatically live price monitoring has changed behaviour at the bowser.
RAA’s latest fuel survey reveals drivers can save on average 10 cents per litre just by comparing prices — roughly $6.50 on a standard 65-litre tank — and with almost 500,000 people checking apps each month, those small savings are adding up fast. In the 12 months to August 2025, South Australians visited the fuel price feature on the RAA app more than 2.2 million times.
The SA Government’s mandatory reporting scheme requires fuel retailers to update a central database within 30 minutes of changing their price.
Consumer and Business Services has been actively enforcing accuracy at the pump, completing more than 4100 inspections and investigating 2280 complaints since the program began. So far, 445 warnings and 70 expiations — totalling more than $45,000 in fines and levies — have been issued. Service stations face penalties if displayed prices don’t match what appears on apps, with fines of up to $10,000 possible in court.
The seven most popular real-time fuel price apps are:
- Petrol Spy
- Motor Mouth
- The RAA app
- SA Bowser: Should I Fuel?
- Fuel Price Australia
- ServoTrack
- Pumped
Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, says live pricing has transformed the way South Australians manage fuel costs. “Each year, South Australians are saving around $58 million on petrol thanks to live fuel pricing helping them to shop around and buy fuel when it’s cheapest,” she says. “With the median saving being 10 cents per litre, that’s hundreds of dollars a year back in the pockets of South Australians.”
RAA fuel expert Peter Nattrass says the savings come at a critical time for households. “We know the cost of living is the biggest challenge facing households, and helping motorists save on fuel is one way to ease the pressure on the family budget,” he says. With awareness now at 83 per cent — and more than half of SA drivers having a price-checking app installed — he says motorists are clearly voting with their thumbs. “RAA’s latest fuel report shows motorists are saving $58 million a year which demonstrates how successful the scheme has been.”
Anyone who suspects a service station isn’t complying can report it to Consumer and Business Services.
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