FuelRadar Weekly Fuel Report: 23 March to 29 March 2026
Welcome to the FuelRadar weekly fuel report for the week ending 29 March 2026. Motorists across Australia are feeling the pinch at the bowser this week, with petrol and diesel prices universally rising across all major capital cities and regional centres. Driven by a combination of international crude oil pressures, a weaker Australian dollar, and the upward swing of local wholesale price cycles, filling up your vehicle has become noticeably more expensive over the past seven days.
Current fuel prices and prediction
- Universal Price Hikes: Every tracked capital city and regional centre is currently experiencing a "Rising" trend across all fuel types, signalling a coordinated upward phase in the retail price cycle.
- Unleaded 91 Breaches $2.50: The national average for Unleaded 91 has now reached 251.95 cents per litre (cpl). Melbourne is currently the cheapest capital for U91 at an average of 247.98 cpl, while Darwin is the most expensive at 257.11 cpl.
- Diesel Remains Extremely High: Diesel prices continue to cause pain for transport and freight, with the national average sitting at a staggering 307.33 cpl. Wollongong recorded the highest regional diesel average at 310.87 cpl.
- Premium Fuels Surging: Premium 98 has reached a national average of 277.10 cpl, with Darwin seeing average prices as high as 285.32 cpl.
- Prediction: With the price cycle currently peaking in major metropolitan areas, we expect prices to remain elevated for the coming days before slowly entering a discounting phase.
Capital City Price Comparison
The table below outlines the average prices for Unleaded 91 across Australia's capital cities for the past week. Note: Prices are represented in dollars per litre for ease of reading.
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | $2.51 | $2.44 | $2.56 | $0.12 | 4.97% | Rising |
| Melbourne | Unleaded 91 | $2.48 | $2.42 | $2.55 | $0.12 | 5.13% | Rising |
| Brisbane | Unleaded 91 | $2.51 | $2.42 | $2.57 | $0.15 | 6.03% | Rising |
| Perth | Unleaded 91 | $2.52 | $2.45 | $2.58 | $0.10 | 4.22% | Rising |
| Adelaide | Unleaded 91 | $2.55 | $2.49 | $2.60 | $0.11 | 4.37% | Rising |
| Hobart | Unleaded 91 | $2.56 | $2.49 | $2.60 | $0.09 | 3.46% | Rising |
| Canberra | Unleaded 91 | $2.52 | $2.45 | $2.57 | $0.13 | 5.26% | Rising |
| Darwin | Unleaded 91 | $2.57 | $2.49 | $2.63 | $0.14 | 5.50% | Rising |
Price Trends by Fuel Type
Here is a breakdown of the national averages across all major fuel types, highlighting where motorists can find the cheapest and most expensive fuel.
| Fuel Type | National Average | Cheapest Market | Most Expensive Market | Overall Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 | $2.52 | Melbourne ($2.48) | Darwin ($2.57) | Rising |
| E10 | $2.49 | Geelong ($2.45) | Townsville ($2.50) | Rising |
| Premium 95 | $2.67 | Geelong ($2.62) | Darwin ($2.73) | Rising |
| Premium 98 | $2.77 | Geelong ($2.71) | Darwin ($2.85) | Rising |
| Diesel | $3.07 | Melbourne ($3.02) | Wollongong ($3.11) | Rising |
| Premium Diesel | $3.08 | Melbourne ($3.02) | Darwin ($3.12) | Rising |
| E85 | $2.37 | Geelong ($2.33) | Gold Coast ($2.38) | Rising |
Looking Ahead
As we project into the next 3 to 4 weeks, we anticipate that the eastern seaboard capitals (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) are currently hitting the peak of their respective price cycles. Motorists in these cities should try to delay fuelling up their vehicles if possible, as we expect to see prices plateau over the next week before the discounting phase begins in mid-to-late April.
In Perth, where the cycle operates on a more predictable weekly rhythm, motorists should continue to time their purchases for the cheapest days of the week. Meanwhile, regional centres such as Newcastle, Wollongong, and Townsville will likely see prices remain stubbornly high. Regional markets traditionally take longer to reflect wholesale price drops, meaning relief at the bowser may be further away for those living outside the major metropolitan centres.
Diesel prices are expected to remain highly volatile and elevated above the $3.00 mark for the foreseeable future, as global supply constraints continue to impact local wholesale costs.
Save Money with FuelRadar
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Conclusion
The current landscape is undoubtedly challenging for Australian drivers, with widespread increases across all fuel categories. By staying informed on the retail price cycle and utilising real-time pricing tools, you can minimise the impact on your wallet. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated analysis in next week's report. Safe travels on the roads this week.
