Bunnings is expanding the way it rewards tradies and business customers with a new loyalty program that turns eligible hardware spending into Bunnings credits, fuel savings, partner benefits and Qantas Points.
The retailer has launched PowerPass Pro Rewards across Australia and New Zealand, describing it as the biggest change to PowerPass since 2011. The program is aimed at tradies and small-to-medium-sized businesses that regularly purchase tools, materials, safety equipment and other workplace supplies.
Unlike a conventional trade account focused mainly on pricing at the checkout, the new model uses spending tiers to determine which rewards a member can access. Bunnings says the overhaul follows feedback from customers who wanted their loyalty recognised in ways that could help with broader business expenses.
Six PowerPass Tiers Determine the Benefits
PowerPass Pro Rewards has six membership levels: Member, Essential, Plus, Elite, Ultimate and Black. A customer’s tier is linked to eligible annual spending, with additional benefits becoming available as the business progresses through the program.
The most immediate benefit is Pro Rewards Dollars, a form of credit that can be used on future purchases at Bunnings. Eligible members receive $100 in Pro Rewards Dollars after spending $2,000.
After reaching that first threshold, members receive another $50 for every additional $1,000 in eligible spending. Under that structure, $3,000 in qualifying purchases would generate $150 in rewards, while $5,000 would generate $250, subject to the program’s terms.
This approach gives customers a clearer financial incentive to consolidate purchases with Bunnings. However, the practical value will vary depending on how frequently a business shops there and whether its purchases qualify towards the spending thresholds.
A sole trader who buys only occasional supplies may remain in one of the lower tiers. A builder, maintenance company or larger contracting business purchasing materials throughout the year could move through the levels more quickly.
Customers can check eligibility conditions and current benefits on the official Bunnings PowerPass Pro Rewards page.
Fuel Savings Add Value Beyond the Hardware Store
Members can access fuel discounts through Shell Card Lite, extending the program beyond purchases made inside Bunnings stores.
That benefit may be particularly relevant to tradespeople who drive between suppliers, customer properties and multiple worksites. Fuel is a recurring operating expense for many mobile businesses, meaning even modest savings can be more useful over time than a one-off promotional discount.
Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider said the company had listened closely to PowerPass customers while redesigning the program. He said customers wanted more than a discount at the register and were looking for rewards that genuinely supported their businesses.
The broader package is designed to deliver value both on and away from the job site. Alongside store credits and fuel offers, members may receive access to business tools, partner deals and tier-based benefits that increase over time.
The loyalty launch also fits Bunnings’ growing focus on professional and industrial customers. Parent company Wesfarmers recently moved Blackwoods and Workwear Group brands into the Bunnings division, strengthening its position in workplace supplies, safety products and trade clothing. The wider strategy is examined in this report on the Bunnings, Blackwoods and Workwear Group restructure.
Qantas Points Reserved for Higher-Tier Members
Customers reaching the Elite, Ultimate or Black tiers can earn Qantas Points through an existing Qantas Business Rewards membership.
This means Qantas Points are not a standard benefit for every person who joins PowerPass Pro Rewards. Members must reach one of the three higher spending tiers and satisfy the requirements of Qantas Business Rewards.
Qantas Loyalty and Customer Chief Executive Andrew Glance said construction, repair and maintenance companies were already among the most engaged businesses in the airline’s rewards program.
According to Qantas, businesses in those sectors earn around 30 per cent more Qantas Points on average than the wider member base. Most of those points are generated on the ground through participating partners rather than by booking flights.
Qantas expects many eligible businesses to use points earned through Bunnings spending to reduce future travel costs. Some companies may instead use the points to recognise or reward employees.
The partnership gives qualifying tradies a way to generate travel rewards from spending they may already be making for everyday jobs. Its value will depend on whether the business travels regularly and already participates in the Qantas program.
PowerPass App Will Track Progress in Real Time
Bunnings is introducing new features in the PowerPass app so members can monitor their tier status, spending progress and available rewards in real time.
This could be one of the program’s most useful changes. Businesses will be able to see how close they are to the next reward threshold without manually adding invoices or waiting for an account statement.
Real-time tracking may also encourage customers to direct more purchases through a single PowerPass account when they are approaching another $1,000 spending milestone or a higher membership tier.
The app could be particularly helpful for businesses with several employees purchasing supplies under the same account, provided transactions are correctly linked and eligible for rewards.
Existing PowerPass customers can convert their accounts to the new program, while new trade and business customers can apply for membership. Members should review whether all purchases count, how long Pro Rewards Dollars remain valid and which partner benefits are available at their tier.
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Program Brings Together Several Business Partners
The rewards network includes Shell Card and Qantas Business Rewards, along with Commonwealth Bank, Ultra Tune, Zeller, Beaumont Tiles, InstantScripts, PointsBuild and MYOB.
These partners take the program into areas including fuel, banking, vehicle maintenance, payment technology, accounting software, health services, building products and business training.
The move shows that Bunnings is seeking to become more than a place where tradies buy tools and materials. It is building a wider business ecosystem designed to keep professional customers engaged between store visits.
That strategy follows continued investment in its physical store network, including the development of Australia’s largest Bunnings Warehouse in Frenchs Forest, which includes expanded retail and trade-focused facilities.
For customers assessing PowerPass Pro Rewards, the headline number is only part of the calculation. Pro Rewards Dollars provide the clearest direct return, but the total value will depend on annual Bunnings spending, membership tier and whether the business already uses services offered by the program’s partners.
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