Fuel continues to arrive in Australia in the quantities and at the frequency we need and expect, despite global market disruptions.
Australia is importing fuel 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 responding to lower demand. Industry reports demand for fuel is generally lower than normal and there are no concerns in meeting current requirements.
Domestic refining of fuel is continuing, with production at Geelong refinery returning to over 90% of normal capacity.
Stocks of fuel continue to be well above average levels, offering some buffer if future challenges emerge.
Fuel and crude oil prices
Petrol and diesel
| Retail price 15 July 2026 (% change 7 days ago) | Petrol | Diesel |
| 5 largest cities* | $1.70 | $1.93 |
| SYD | $1.68 | $1.93 |
| MEL | $1.69 | $1.94 |
| BRIS | $1.72 | $1.96 |
| ADEL | $1.64 | $1.92 |
| PER | $1.75 | $1.89 |
| CBR | $1.77 | $1.97 |
| HOB | $1.72 | $2.01 |
| DAR | $1.72 | $1.92 |
Source: ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 17 July 2026. 5 largest cities includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
The government has extended fuel excise relief for petrol and diesel from 1 July to 2 August, with the temporary cut in the excise reduced to 16 cents a litre. Retail fuel prices have generally fallen after the first excise cut from 1 April and lower international benchmark prices, with retail petrol prices for Australia’s 5 largest cities down 88 cpl and diesel prices down 130 cpl (as at 15 July). Since 30 June, retail prices have increased as retailers pass-through the partial excise restoration and with increases in international benchmark prices. Compared with pre-conflict, average retail petrol prices for the 5 largest cities were 1 cpl lower on 15 July, while average retail diesel prices were 16 cpl higher.
International benchmark prices
| Week to 15 July 2026 (% change 1 week ago) | US$/barrel | Change pre-conflict |
| Brent Crude | US$76 | +4% |
| Singapore Gasoil (diesel) | US$132 | +48% |
ACCC Weekly fuel price monitoring report published 17 July 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 | 14 July 2026 | March quarter 2026 average |
| Petrol | 46 | 37 |
| Diesel | 39 | 32 |
| Jet fuel | 34 | 30 |
Data as at 14 July 2026. Source: DCCEEW website.
A reported 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. Stocks of fuel continue to be above average – combined total stocks held under the MSO this week are the highest since the MSO began.
Fuel reserves in megalitres (ML) held under the MSO
| Fuel type | 14 July 2026 (ML) | March quarter 2026 average (ML) |
| Petrol | 1979 | 1592 |
| Diesel | 3590 | 2966 |
| Jet fuel | 932 | 833 |
Data as at 14 July 2026. Source: DCCEEW website. Includes stocks in Australia and on water in our exclusive economic zone.
Ships on water to Australia
As at 17 July 2026 | As at 10 July 2026 | |
| Crude oil | 7 tankers | 7 tankers |
| Clean refined products | 48 tankers | 47 tankers |
Data as at 17 July 2026. Source: Estimated by DCCEEW using Kpler commodity terminal. Clean products include diesel, jet, petrol and blend stocks.
Retail stock-outs
No petrol of any grade | No diesel | |
| ACT (65 sites) | 8 (+8) | 7 (+7) |
| NSW (2,403 sites) | 16 (no change) | 19 (no change) |
| VIC (1,700 sites) | 3 (no change) | 5 (no change) |
| QLD (1,800 sites) | 12 (+3) | 21 (+11) |
| SA (700 sites) | 12 (no change) | 16 (no change) |
| TAS (308 sites) | 1 (no change) | 1 (no change) |
| NT (210 sites) | 3 (+3) | 3 (+3) |
| WA (1,002 sites) | 1 (-3) | 4 (+1) |
| Australia (8,118 sites) | 56 (+11) | 76 (+22) |
Data as at 17 July 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).