Motorists across Australia are facing rising fuel costs, with the NRMA warning that price spikes in the nation’s largest cities are exceeding expected cycle peaks — a trend that could also flow through to regional areas such as the New England.
According to the My NRMA app, which tracks fuel pricing in real time across Australia, half of service stations in the Melbourne area were charging 219.9 cents per litre on Tuesday. In Sydney, half of all servos were charging between 217.9 and 223.9 cents per litre.
The NRMA says average prices for regular unleaded in Sydney (209.5c), Melbourne (207.7c) and Brisbane (210.2c) are well above what would normally be expected at the top of the pricing cycle. By comparison, motorists in Adelaide (185.0c) and Perth (189.1c) are seeing significantly lower prices.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the surge in the eastern capitals was difficult to justify and was placing additional pressure on household budgets already strained by the cost-of-living crisis.
“Yet again, the price cycles in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have left families in those cities worse off and oil companies are using the Middle East crisis as an excuse to jack up margins,” Mr Khoury said.
“This must stop immediately.
“Australians are doing it tough with cost of living pressures and now is not the time to be ripping the community off – we urge the ACCC to act.”
Khoury said that with prices already at the top of the cycle in Australia’s three largest cities, many retailers appeared to be taking advantage of the situation.
“With prices in Australia’s three largest cities already at the top of the regular cycle, half of the stations in our three biggest cities are effectively inflating that margin to take advantage of the community,” he said.
Regional motorists, including those across the New England, often see city price movements reflected locally after short delays, meaning drivers could soon feel similar pressure at the pump.
The NRMA is encouraging motorists to shop around, noting that a number of service stations are still offering significantly cheaper fuel.
“Almost a quarter of service stations in Melbourne are below 189.9 cents per litre and in Sydney it’s 12 per cent of service stations – they are doing the right thing – so if you need to fill up, please fill up there,” Mr Khoury said.
He said drivers could use the My NRMA app to compare fuel prices and find cheaper options.
“Using the My NRMA App anywhere in Australia ensures you are aware of the best price right now near your place or the cheapest options on the way to where you’re going.”
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