Fuel continues to arrive in Australia in the quantities and at the frequency we need and expect, despite global market disruptions.
Australia is importing from multiple countries that continue to refine and export fuel, and the government is working with industry to secure more.
Sufficient forward orders for fuel imports are scheduled to arrive in the next four weeks, with volumes reflecting stockholdings and demand.
Domestic refining of fuel is continuing, with the production impact of maintenance at the Lytton refinery covered by already secured supply sources.
Australia’s stocks of fuel continue to be well above pre-conflict levels, offering some buffer if future challenges emerge.
Fuel and crude oil prices
Petrol and diesel
| Retail prices 2 September 2026 (% change 7 days ago) | Petrol | Diesel |
| 5 largest cities* | $2.05 | $2.49 |
| SYD | $2.03 | $2.48 |
| MEL | $2.05 | $2.52 |
| BRIS | $2.03 | $2.52 |
| ADEL | $2.02 | $2.49 |
| PER | $2.11 | $2.45 |
| CBR | $2.08 | $2.61 |
| HOB | $2.06 | $2.54 |
| DAR | $2.12 | $2.55 |
Source: ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 4 September 2026. 5 largest cities includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Domestic fuel prices: Retail fuel prices remain below their peak in late March and early April. Compared with 31 March, average retail petrol prices for Australia’s 5 largest cities on 2 September were down 53 cents a litre (cpl) and retail diesel prices down 73 cpl. Compared with pre-conflict levels on 20 February, average retail petrol prices for the 5 largest cities on 2 September were 34 cpl higher, while retail diesel prices were 73 cpl higher. Australian retail fuel prices have generally remained flat over the last week after increasing throughout August due to the full restoration of the fuel excise and movements in international benchmark prices.
International benchmark prices
| Week to 2 September 2026 (% change 1 week ago) | US$/barrel | Change pre-conflict |
| Brent Crude | US$93 | +27% |
| Singapore Gasoil (diesel) | US$157 | +76% |
ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 4 September 2026. Pre-conflict price is week ending 20 February 2026.
Current and anticipated national supplies
The Australian Government has implemented a national MSO as part of Australia’s long-term fuel security. These stocks are a buffer in addition to fuels already sold to customers across Australia. The amount held every week is reported to ensure we hold enough strategic reserves of each major fuel and this takes into account new fuel arrivals and domestic production.
National days of coverage based on normal rates of consumption
| Days of fuel reserves held under MSO | 1 September 2026 | March quarter 2026 average |
| Petrol | 43 | 37 |
| Diesel | 33 | 32 |
| Jet fuel | 33 | 30 |
Data as at 1 September 2026. Source: DCCEEW website.
At least 3.5 billion litres of crude, diesel, jet and petrol are scheduled to arrive from overseas in the next 4 weeks. Some of this is already on ships in transit and some is awaiting departure. This does not include supply from domestic refineries (around 20% of national supply) and stocks in Australia. Stocks of fuel continue to be above pre-conflict levels.
Fuel reserves in megalitres (ML) held under the MSO
| Fuel type | 1 September 2026 (ML) | March quarter 2026 average (ML) |
| Petrol | 1823 | 1592 |
| Diesel | 3039 | 2966 |
| Jet fuel | 901 | 833 |
Data as at 1 September 2026. Source: DCCEEW website. Includes stocks in Australia and on water in our exclusive economic zone.
Ships on water to Australia
As at 4 September 2026 | As at 28 August 2026 | |
| Crude oil | 9 tankers | 7 tankers |
| Clean refined products | 27 tankers | 40 tankers |
Data as at 4 September 2026. Source: Estimated by DCCEEW using Kpler commodity terminal. Clean products include diesel, jet, petrol and blend stocks.
Retail stock-outs
Unleaded only out | Diesel only out | Both diesel and petrol out | |
| ACT (65 sites) | 1 (+1) | 0 (no change) | 0 (no change) |
| NSW (2,403 sites) | 8 (+5) | 14 (+8) | 8 (+3) |
| VIC (1,700 sites) | 0 (no change) | 4 (no change) | 6 (no change) |
| QLD (1,800 sites) | 9 (-2) | 11 (+2) | 8 (-1) |
| SA (700 sites) | 1 (no change) | 10 (+6) | 8 (no change) |
| TAS (308 sites) | 0 (no change) | 0 (no change) | 2 (no change) |
| NT (210 sites) | 0 (no change) | 0 (no change) | 0 (no change) |
| WA (1,002 sites) | 0 (no change) | 1 (-2) | 3 (+1) |
| Australia (8,118 sites) | 19 (+4) | 40 (+14) | 35 (+3) |
Data as at 4 September 2026. Source: Provided by state and territory governments.
Contact
Fuel Supply Taskforce: fuelsupplytaskforce@pmc.gov.au
Data compiled by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).