FuelRadar Weekly Fuel Report
Report Period: 11 May 2026 to 17 May 2026
Published: 23 May 2026
Overview of the Current Fuel Price Situation
Welcome to the FuelRadar weekly fuel report. As we analyse the data for the week ending 17 May 2026, Australian motorists are experiencing a heavily divided market. The most significant and welcome news this week is the continued downward trajectory of diesel prices across the nation, providing much-needed relief for freight operators, tradespeople, and regional drivers who have travelled extensively. Meanwhile, unleaded petrol (U91) presents a mixed picture, heavily dependent on your local capital city's price cycle. Eastern seaboard capitals like Sydney and Brisbane are firmly in the rising phase of their cycles, whereas Melbourne and Perth drivers are currently benefiting from falling prices at the bowser.
Current Fuel Prices and Prediction
Here are the key highlights and trends we have observed across the country this week:
- Diesel Relief: Diesel prices are falling across every single capital city and regional centre we monitor. Hobart saw the most dramatic drop, falling 13.03 cents per litre (cpl), while Perth boasts the cheapest capital city diesel at an average of $2.24 per litre.
- Mixed Petrol Cycles: Unleaded 91 prices are rising in Sydney (up 3.29%), Brisbane (up 3.11%), and Adelaide (up 1.61%). Conversely, Melbourne and Perth are seeing prices drop by nearly 3% and 2% respectively.
- Cheapest Fuel in the Country: The Gold Coast currently offers the cheapest Unleaded 91 in Australia, averaging just 175.27 cpl. For E10, Adelaide is the cheapest market at 170.69 cpl.
- Most Expensive Markets: Darwin remains the most expensive capital for Unleaded 91 (191.58 cpl), while Canberra continues to have the highest diesel prices in the country, averaging a hefty 261.22 cpl.
- Premium Fuels Follow Suit: Premium 95 and 98 octane fuels are mirroring the trends of standard unleaded, rising in Sydney and Brisbane but falling across Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania.
Capital City Price Comparison
Unleaded 91 (U91)
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | $1.81 | $1.79 | $1.87 | +$0.05 | 3.29% | Rising |
| Melbourne | Unleaded 91 | $1.81 | $1.78 | $1.84 | -$0.05 | -2.81% | Falling |
| Brisbane | Unleaded 91 | $1.81 | $1.79 | $1.85 | +$0.05 | 3.11% | Rising |
| Perth | Unleaded 91 | $1.78 | $1.73 | $1.84 | -$0.03 | -1.98% | Falling |
| Adelaide | Unleaded 91 | $1.77 | $1.74 | $1.82 | +$0.02 | 1.61% | Rising |
| Hobart | Unleaded 91 | $1.84 | $1.82 | $1.87 | -$0.05 | -2.69% | Falling |
| Darwin | Unleaded 91 | $1.91 | $1.90 | $1.92 | -$0.01 | -1.01% | Falling |
| Canberra | Unleaded 91 | $1.82 | $1.82 | $1.85 | -$0.01 | -1.05% | Falling |
Diesel (DSL)
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Diesel | $2.32 | $2.30 | $2.37 | -$0.06 | -2.83% | Falling |
| Melbourne | Diesel | $2.40 | $2.37 | $2.44 | -$0.07 | -2.94% | Falling |
| Brisbane | Diesel | $2.32 | $2.30 | $2.37 | -$0.07 | -3.09% | Falling |
| Perth | Diesel | $2.24 | $2.20 | $2.30 | -$0.10 | -4.58% | Falling |
| Adelaide | Diesel | $2.28 | $2.24 | $2.33 | -$0.08 | -3.74% | Falling |
| Hobart | Diesel | $2.40 | $2.35 | $2.48 | -$0.13 | -5.24% | Falling |
| Darwin | Diesel | $2.42 | $2.39 | $2.48 | -$0.08 | -3.61% | Falling |
| Canberra | Diesel | $2.61 | $2.60 | $2.63 | -$0.03 | -1.25% | Falling |
Price Trends by Fuel Type (National Averages)
| Fuel Type | National Average Price | Cheapest Market | Most Expensive Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 (U91) | $1.80 | Gold Coast ($1.75) | Darwin ($1.91) |
| Ethanol 10 (E10) | $1.76 | Adelaide ($1.70) | Canberra ($1.81) |
| Diesel (DSL) | $2.35 | Perth ($2.24) | Canberra ($2.61) |
| Premium Diesel (PDSL) | $2.37 | Adelaide ($2.29) | Canberra ($2.57) |
| Premium 95 (P95) | $1.96 | Geelong ($1.91) | Darwin ($2.08) |
| Premium 98 (P98) | $2.05 | Gold Coast ($2.00) | Darwin ($2.23) |
| E85 | $2.36 | Brisbane/Adelaide ($2.29) | Melbourne ($2.50) |
Looking Ahead
Over the next 3 to 4 weeks, we expect to see the current price cycles mature. Motorists in Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide should prepare for unleaded prices to peak within the next 7 to 10 days. If you are in these cities and your tank is running low, we advise only topping up what you strictly need to get by until the cycle breaks and prices begin their downward run.
Conversely, Melbourne and Perth drivers are in the sweet spot of the cycle. Prices are falling, so holding off on fuelling up for a few more days will help you optimise your savings. We anticipate these markets will hit the bottom of their respective cycles by early June.
For diesel consumers, the outlook remains positive. Global supply pressures have eased slightly, and we predict that the national average for diesel will continue a slow, steady decline or at least stabilise around the $2.30 mark over the coming month.
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Conclusion
This week highlights the importance of understanding your local fuel cycle. While diesel drivers across Australia can breathe a collective sigh of relief, petrol drivers must remain vigilant. By keeping an eye on local trends and using real-time data to your advantage, you can protect your household budget against the volatile swings of the Australian fuel market.
