# Australian fuel price increases

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-fuel-price-increases
> Updated: 2026-10-26T04:00:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Fuel prices in Australia have experienced a significant upward trend. In mid-September, Perth saw average unleaded fuel prices reach $2.30 per litre following the expiration of temporary federal and Western Australian fuel excise cuts on August 2.

By October, national average prices for regular unleaded petrol exceeded $2.40 per litre for the first time in over six months. This increase is attributed to escalating tensions in the Middle East, including threats to key shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and conflict involving Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia. These geopolitical instabilities have contributed to Brent crude oil surging as high as $US105 per barrel and have raised concerns regarding a global oil shortage.

Diesel prices have also faced extreme volatility. Following the start of the Iran war on February 28, 2026, diesel prices rose sharply, at one point exceeding 300 cents per litre. The escalation of the Middle East conflict caused diesel to rise faster than crude oil, widening the price gap from approximately 102 cents per litre to 148 cents per litre. These rising costs are creating significant financial pressure for Australian grain growers during seeding and harvest stages.

## Claims

- Australian diesel prices rose sharply after the Iran war began on February 28, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The diesel-crude oil price gap averaged 102c/litre before the war and 148c/litre after. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Australian terminal gate diesel prices sat between 155c/litre and 185c/litre during periods of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Diesel prices pushed above 300c/litre following the start of the Iran war. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and ports occurred throughout 2025. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Australian diesel prices surge amid Middle East conflict

Australian diesel prices have surged due to Middle East conflict disruptions, widening the gap between diesel and crude oil costs and increasing financial pressure on grain growers during harvest.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-diesel-prices-surge-amid-middle-east-conflict

### 2026-10-12: Australian petrol prices exceed $2.40 per litre amid Middle East tensions

Australian petrol prices have risen above $2.40 per litre due to Middle East conflict escalations and fears of a global oil shortage affecting key shipping lanes.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-petrol-prices-exceed-240-per-litre-amid-middle-east-tensions

### 2026-09-15: Perth fuel prices rise above $2 per litre

Perth unleaded fuel prices have risen to an average of $2.30 per litre following the expiration of temporary government fuel excise cuts.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/perth-fuel-prices-rise-above-2-per-litre

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Cite as: Australian fuel price increases. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-fuel-price-increases