Some 130,000 Australian drivers have already received their $100 fuel voucher on the first day it became available in one state, as the government attempts to ease pressure on households at the petrol pump.
But the way residents receive the cash boost has drawn mixed responses, with some saying it’s “easy” while others have refused to go through the process altogether over “security concerns”.
As of July 1, millions of Western Australians can access the one-off Fuel Support Payment via the ServiceWA app.
The government labelled it as a way to help relieve pressure from rising everyday costs.
In the state, there are 2.3 million driver’s licence holders, including learners, provisional and extraordinary licence holders, who will be able to access the much-needed fuel relief.
On its first day, some 128,000 motorists accessed the cash — which can be spent on anything — but not all have welcomed the requirement for a digital ID.
WA resident Jasmine doesn’t mind, though.
She told Yahoo News Australia she’s already made plans to spend the $100, and it’s not on fuel.
“It’s easy to do,” she said.
“The hardest part was setting up the digital ID, which was required for the Service WA app. There was a slight issue with the digital ID website being down.
“But then I just entered my bank account details, and there you go.
“You can spend it on anything. I’m going to use it towards my daughter’s second birthday.”
$100 fuel vouchers are now available in Western Australia.
(Getty)WA residents respond with mixed views after $100 cash tip handed out
But on the WA government’s official Facebook page, drivers criticised the one-off payment.
Many argued they are unwilling to provide personal details to claim the rebate, despite the government already holding much of that information through the vehicle registration system.
“The mice never ask why the cheese in the trap is free,” one man wrote.
“Is there another way to claim it than through digital ID?” another said.
“I’ll have mine in cash, thanks,” a third said.
Others claimed they had tried to access the payment, but the website led them “in circles”. Some reported it crashed altogether.
“After two hours, lots of swearing — success,” a man said.
Why was the payment introduced in the first place?
The initiative was introduced on the same day the federal government’s fuel excise cut was reduced, prompting widespread rises in the cost of petrol and diesel.
From July 1, the fuel excise cut announced in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East was halved from 32 cents to 16 cents, with the price passed on to motorists.
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“Amid the uncertain global outlook, my government is committed to providing cost-of-living relief through $1 billion of support, which is putting money back into the pockets of Western Australians,” Premier Roger Cook said in June.
“Our $100 Fuel Support Payment is a recognition of the impact of global conflicts on Western Australians.”
How to access the Fuel Support Payment in WA
The fastest and most convenient way to claim your payment is through the ServiceWA app.
Claims can also be lodged via eforms and paper forms from 1 July 2026, but processing may take up to six weeks.
More details on the fuel offer can be found here.
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