Fuel prices in Tasmania

Tasmania has had real-time fuel price reporting since 2020 through FuelCheck TAS. Retailers across the state report their prices as they change, giving Tasmanian drivers the same live visibility that mainland states have — which matters in a market where competition is thin.

How fuel prices are reported in Tasmania

FuelCheck TAS launched in 2020 and requires Tasmanian fuel retailers to report prices in real time. Prices appear on the FuelCheck TAS website and app, and the same feed powers independent fuel apps.

Tasmania has far fewer service stations than the mainland states, so complete coverage matters. A crowd-sourced app in a market this size would have significant gaps; mandatory reporting doesn't.

For a state where the next town's servo might be the only realistic alternative, being able to check before you drive is worth more than it sounds.

Why Tasmanian prices sit above the mainland

Tasmania has no refinery. Every litre of fuel sold in the state is shipped across Bass Strait, and that freight cost is built into the pump price.

The market is also small and less contested. Fewer stations competing in any given area means less pressure to discount, so Tasmanian prices tend to be flatter and higher rather than swinging through big cycles.

The upside of a flat market: there's less need to time your fill. The downside: there's rarely a cheap week to wait for.

Where fuel tends to be cheapest in Tasmania

Hobart and Launceston have the most stations and the most competition, and generally set the cheapest prices in the state.

Devonport, Burnie and Ulverstone on the north-west coast are the next tier, with enough traffic to sustain more than one operator.

Prices rise on the east coast and in the highlands, particularly in tourist areas and small towns with a single servo. If you're driving the east coast or heading to Cradle Mountain, fill in a major centre first.

Frequently asked questions

What is FuelCheck TAS?

FuelCheck TAS is the Tasmanian Government's fuel price service, launched in 2020. It requires fuel retailers across Tasmania to report their prices in real time, and publishes them publicly.

Why is fuel more expensive in Tasmania?

Tasmania has no refinery, so all fuel is shipped across Bass Strait and freight is built into the pump price. The market is also smaller and less competitive than mainland states, which keeps prices from being bid down.

Does Tasmania have a fuel price cycle?

Not a pronounced one. Tasmania's market is small enough that prices tend to be flatter and more stable than in the big mainland capitals — there's less of a cycle to time, but also fewer cheap troughs to wait for.

Where is the cheapest fuel in Tasmania?

Generally Hobart and Launceston, which have the most stations and therefore the most competition. Small towns, the east coast and highland tourist areas are typically the most expensive.