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.
Stocks of fuel remain healthy, with petrol stocks above average and diesel and jet fuel stocks similar to pre-conflict, long term averages, offering some buffer if future challenges emerge.
Fuel and crude oil prices
Petrol and diesel
| Retail prices 14 October 2026 (% change 7 days ago) | Petrol | Diesel |
| 5 largest cities* | $2.42 | $2.79 |
| SYD | $2.42 | $2.78 |
| MEL | $2.43 | $2.79 |
| BRIS | $2.41 | $2.82 |
| ADEL | $2.38 | $2.84 |
| PER | $2.46 | $2.70 |
| CBR | $2.47 | $2.88 |
| HOB | $2.50 | $2.82 |
| DAR | $2.48 | $2.88 |
Source: ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 16 October 2026. 5 largest cities includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Domestic fuel prices: Retail fuel prices remain below their peak in late March and early April. Compared with 31 March, average retail petrol prices for Australia’s 5 largest cities on 7 October were down 15 cents a litre (cpl) and retail diesel prices down 44 cpl. Compared with pre-conflict levels on 20 February, average retail petrol prices for the 5 largest cities on 7 October were 71 cpl higher, while retail diesel prices were 102 cpl higher. Australian retail fuel prices are largely determined by movements in international benchmark prices, which have remained relatively high over the last week.
International benchmark prices
| Week to 14 October 2026 (% change 1 week ago) | US$/barrel | Change pre-conflict |
| Brent Crude | US$151 | +107% |
| Singapore Gasoil (diesel) | US$171 | +92% |
ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 16 October 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 | 13 October 2026 | March quarter 2026 average |
| Petrol | 41 | 37 |
| Diesel | 33 | 32 |
| Jet fuel | 28 | 30 |
Data as at 13 October 2026. Source: DCCEEW website.
At least 3.2 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.
Fuel reserves in megalitres (ML) held under the MSO
| Fuel type | 13 October 2026 (ML) | March quarter 2026 average (ML) |
| Petrol | 1730 | 1592 |
| Diesel | 3044 | 2966 |
| Jet fuel | 757 | 833 |
Data as at 13 October 2026. Source: DCCEEW website. Includes stocks in Australia and on water in our exclusive economic zone.
Ships on water to Australia
As at 16 October 2026 | As at 9 October 2026 | |
| Crude oil | 6 tankers | 6 tankers |
| Clean refined products | 42 tankers | 45 tankers |
Data as at 16 October 2026. Source: Estimated by DCCEEW using Kpler commodity terminal. Clean products include diesel, jet, petrol and blend stocks.
Retail stock-outs
Number of service stations out of stock of fuel at the end of the day as at 16 October 2026 (change from 1 week ago)
| Unleaded only out (all grades) | Diesel only out (including premium diesel) | Both diesel and petrol out (all types) | |
| ACT (64 sites) | 1 (no change) | 0 (no change) | 0 (no change) |
| NSW (2,330 sites) | 1 (no change) | 10 (no change) | 6 (+1) |
| VIC (1,753 sites) | 2 (no change) | 8 (no change) | 20 (no change) |
| QLD (1,800 sites) | 12 (no change) | 12 (+3) | 9 (+2) |
| SA (700 sites) | 0 (no change) | 3 (no change) | 2 (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) | 6 (+1) | 8 (+2) |
| Australia (8,167 sites) | 16 (no change) | 39 (+4) | 47 (+5) |
Data as at 16 October 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).