Fluid level sensing apparatus for detecting the fluid level in a container. The apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, where the position of the float in the container corresponds to the fluid level in the container. A magnetostrictive sensor (12) and a stick gauge are also disposed inside the housing. The sensor (12) is coupled to a control circuit (40) which includes a circuit (44) that receives electromagnetic energy (32) from a remote unit (34). In addition, the control circuit (40) includes a circuit for detecting a signal from the sensor (50) and a circuit (54) for emitting electromagnetic energy (36) having a characteristic that is variable and dependent on the fluid level in the container to a remote location (34). The information received at the remote location (34) may be displayed on a screen (38) or at another suitable operator interface (64).