Fuel prices in Australia

Australia has some of the most open fuel pricing in the world. Every state and territory now runs an official scheme requiring service stations to report what they charge — which is why a good fuel app can show you real prices rather than guesses.

The schemes aren't identical, though, and neither are the markets. Western Australia locks prices for 24 hours and publishes tomorrow's prices today. Perth runs a dependable weekly cycle; Sydney and Melbourne don't. Tasmania ships every litre across Bass Strait. Pick your state below for how it actually works where you drive.

Frequently asked questions

Where do live Australian fuel prices come from?

Every state and territory runs an official fuel price reporting scheme that requires service stations to report what they charge — FuelCheck in NSW, the ACT and Tasmania, FuelWatch in WA, MyFuel NT in the Northern Territory, and equivalent schemes in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Fuel apps read those feeds.

Which state has the cheapest fuel in Australia?

It moves with the price cycles, but South Australia frequently records among the lowest average unleaded prices, while the Northern Territory consistently records the highest. Within any state, the gap between the cheapest and dearest station is usually larger than the gap between states.

Is there a cheapest day of the week to buy fuel?

Only reliably in Perth, which runs a genuine weekly cycle where Tuesday is usually cheapest. In the other capitals the cycle is irregular, so checking live prices beats relying on a fixed day.

Do fuel prices vary much between suburbs?

Yes — often far more than people expect. It's routine for two stations 10 minutes apart to differ by more than 30 cents a litre on the same day, which is why checking before you fill is worth more than choosing the nearest servo.