The Global Shockwave: What’s Happening in April 2026?
As we head into April 2026, Australian motorists are watching the bowser with a mix of anxiety and relief. Global oil markets have been thrown into turmoil following escalating geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for the world's oil supply. In early April, Brent crude soared past $111 per barrel, while WTI futures jumped over 11% in a single day to cross the $112 mark.
In response to this immense supply shock, OPEC+ has convened emergency meetings to weigh a potential output increase, despite their previous commitment to pause production hikes until the first quarter of 2026. While the global market scrambles for stability, these international shockwaves are inevitably making their way to Australian shores, directly impacting what you pay to fill up your ute or family car.
The Local Shield: Australia’s 32-Cent Excise Cut
Fortunately, there is a crucial buffer for Aussies. In a landmark agreement this April, the Federal and State Governments announced a combined 32-cents-per-litre cut to the fuel excise to shield motorists from the worst of the global price spikes. The ACCC has already warned fuel retailers that they must pass these savings directly on to consumers as quickly as possible. This means that while wholesale costs are rising globally, local pump prices are engaged in a fierce tug-of-war.
With prices fluctuating wildly depending on whether your local servo has passed on the excise cut or updated to the new wholesale price, having real-time data is more critical than ever. This is where FuelRadar steps in. As a comprehensive tool for tracking real-time fuel prices Australia-wide, FuelRadar helps drivers pinpoint the cheapest fuel nearby, ensuring you aren't paying a premium just because you turned down the wrong street.
Current National Fuel Price Breakdown
To give you a clear picture of the current landscape, here is the latest national fuel price breakdown by type across Australia:
- EV: avg 45 cpl, cheapest 45 cpl, most expensive 45 cpl
- LPG: avg 108.8 cpl, cheapest 73.9 cpl, most expensive 169.9 cpl
- Liquefied natural gas: avg 100.9 cpl, cheapest 100.9 cpl, most expensive 100.9 cpl
- Unleaded 91 (U91): avg 203.9 cpl, cheapest 173 cpl, most expensive 216.9 cpl
- Ethanol 10 (E10): avg 208.6 cpl, cheapest 197.5 cpl, most expensive 218.5 cpl
- Premium 95 (P95): avg 219.2 cpl, cheapest 206 cpl, most expensive 232.9 cpl
- Premium 98 (P98): avg 232.8 cpl, cheapest 222.7 cpl, most expensive 249.9 cpl
- Diesel (DSL): avg 263.9 cpl, cheapest 217 cpl, most expensive 297.2 cpl
- Premium Diesel (PDSL): avg 292.3 cpl, cheapest 283.9 cpl, most expensive 297.9 cpl
- E85: avg 247.9 cpl, cheapest 229.9 cpl, most expensive 289.9 cpl
- OPAL: avg 243.9 cpl, cheapest 243.9 cpl, most expensive 243.9 cpl
- B20 (Bio-Diesel): avg 329.9 cpl, cheapest 329.9 cpl, most expensive 329.9 cpl
Capital City Price Trends: Where Does Your City Stand?
When we analyse the capital city data, the disparity across state lines becomes clear. The top 3 cheapest capital cities for Unleaded 91 are currently Perth (221.25 cpl), Adelaide (223.96 cpl), and Canberra (225.06 cpl). On the other end of the spectrum, Unleaded 91 prices are 3.9% higher in Darwin (229.87 cpl) than in Perth (221.25 cpl).
Premium fuels also show significant variance. Premium 98 prices vary significantly across Australia, with Darwin (263.59 cpl) being 6.6% more expensive than Perth (247.24 cpl). In Sydney, Premium 95 (243.43 cpl) costs 6.9% more than Unleaded 91 (227.76 cpl).
For tradies and diesel drivers cruising down the freeway, it is worth noting that Diesel is currently 4% more expensive in the Sunshine Coast (314.09 cpl) compared to Melbourne (301.92 cpl).
Motorists looking for immediate savings at the pump have options. Brisbane motorists can save 1.1% by choosing E10 (224.49 cpl) over Unleaded 91 (227.06 cpl). Meanwhile, LPG (avg. 108.8 cpl) remains 46.6% cheaper than Unleaded 91 (avg. 203.9 cpl), offering significant savings for vehicles with dual-fuel capability. At the extreme end of the scale nationally, B20 (avg. 329.9 cpl) is 633.1% more expensive than EV charging (avg. 45 cpl). Lastly, it pays to shop around: U91 prices currently range from 173 cpl to 216.9 cpl nationally, a massive difference of 25.4%.
Expert Tips: How to Maximise Your Savings
While global markets dictate the baseline, your choices dictate your final bill. Here is how to keep your fuel costs down this month:
- Leverage Real-Time Data: Don't guess where the cheapest petrol is. With U91 varying by up to 25.4% nationally, a quick check can save you a significant amount on a full tank. Use the FuelRadar map to check local servos before you leave the driveway.
- Consider Your Fuel Type: As our data shows, switching to E10 in cities like Brisbane can yield immediate savings. If you drive a dual-fuel vehicle, take advantage of LPG's massive 46.6% price advantage over U91.
- Optimise Vehicle Efficiency: Simple maintenance goes a long way. Keep your tyres inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure, remove empty roof racks to reduce drag, and ensure your rego and servicing are up to date to keep your engine running efficiently.
- Drive Smoothly: Aggressive acceleration and heavy braking consume significantly more fuel. Adopt a smooth driving behaviour to stretch every litre further.
Conclusion
April 2026 is proving to be a historic month for fuel prices, defined by the clash between global supply shortages and aggressive local tax relief. While we cannot control what happens in the Strait of Hormuz or what OPEC+ decides behind closed doors, we can control where we choose to fill up. By staying informed and using tools like FuelRadar—available on both iOS and Android—Australian motorists can navigate this volatility and keep more money in their wallets. Download the app today and take the guesswork out of your next trip to the servo.
