Weekly Fuel Price Report: 25 May to 31 May 2026
Welcome to the latest weekly fuel report from FuelRadar. Over the past week, Australian motorists have experienced a highly favourable shift at the bowser, with petrol and diesel prices trending downwards across almost all capital cities and regional centres. As we analyse the pricing data from the past seven days, it is clear that the current downward phase of the price cycle is offering a welcome reprieve for household budgets across the nation.
Current fuel prices and prediction
- Widespread Price Drops: Unleaded 91 (U91) prices have fallen across all major capital cities. Perth experienced the most significant drop of 9.81 cents per litre (cpl), bringing its average down to a highly competitive 178.88 cpl.
- Diesel Relief: Diesel drivers are finally seeing substantial relief after prolonged highs. The national average for diesel has dropped to 224.48 cpl, highlighted by a massive 34.54 cpl plunge in Canberra over the past week.
- Cheapest Capital: Adelaide currently boasts the cheapest U91 petrol in the country, averaging just 173.94 cpl following a 6.41 cpl decrease.
- Premium Fuels Following Suit: Premium Unleaded (P95 and P98) prices are falling universally across all capital cities, providing welcome savings for drivers requiring higher octane fuel.
- Prediction: We anticipate that prices in the major east coast capitals (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) will continue to fall over the coming week as they approach the bottom of their respective price cycles. Motorists should hold off on fuelling up for a few more days if possible to maximise their savings.
Capital City Price Comparison
The table below outlines the average prices and trends for Regular Unleaded (U91) across Australia's capital cities for the reporting period.
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | 183.26 cpl | 178.08 cpl | 186.67 cpl | -8.59 cpl | -4.60% | Falling |
| Melbourne | Unleaded 91 | 184.18 cpl | 181.34 cpl | 185.79 cpl | -4.43 cpl | -2.38% | Falling |
| Brisbane | Unleaded 91 | 183.83 cpl | 181.29 cpl | 185.75 cpl | -4.46 cpl | -2.40% | Falling |
| Perth | Unleaded 91 | 178.88 cpl | 171.97 cpl | 186.09 cpl | -9.81 cpl | -5.40% | Falling |
| Adelaide | Unleaded 91 | 173.94 cpl | 170.51 cpl | 176.92 cpl | -6.41 cpl | -3.62% | Falling |
| Hobart | Unleaded 91 | 186.04 cpl | 184.08 cpl | 187.57 cpl | -3.33 cpl | -1.78% | Falling |
| Darwin | Unleaded 91 | 189.33 cpl | 187.47 cpl | 190.76 cpl | -3.29 cpl | -1.72% | Falling |
| Canberra | Unleaded 91 | 183.83 cpl | 182.51 cpl | 184.31 cpl | -1.80 cpl | -0.98% | Stable |
Price Trends by Fuel Type
Here is a snapshot of the national averages and the extremes for each fuel type across the country.
| Fuel Type | National Average | Cheapest City | Most Expensive City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 (U91) | 182.31 cpl | Adelaide (173.94 cpl) | Darwin (189.33 cpl) |
| Ethanol 10 (E10) | 178.44 cpl | Adelaide (167.17 cpl) | Townsville (181.92 cpl) |
| Diesel (DSL) | 224.48 cpl | Perth (212.84 cpl) | Canberra (250.50 cpl) |
| Premium Diesel (PDSL) | 227.89 cpl | Adelaide (217.40 cpl) | Canberra (251.70 cpl) |
| Premium 95 (P95) | 198.45 cpl | Adelaide (190.59 cpl) | Darwin (206.17 cpl) |
| Premium 98 (P98) | 207.47 cpl | Adelaide (199.06 cpl) | Darwin (220.53 cpl) |
| Ethanol 85 (E85) | 237.21 cpl | Brisbane (229.90 cpl) | Melbourne (250.01 cpl) |
Looking Ahead
As we move into early June, the outlook for motorists remains largely positive. For the next three to four weeks, we expect the eastern seaboard capitals—Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane—to reach the bottom of their current price cycles before inevitably beginning their next upward phase. Motorists in these centres should monitor prices closely and plan on fuelling their vehicles when average prices dip into the 170s.
In Perth, the regular weekly price cycle continues to dictate the best days to buy, with Tuesdays typically offering the cheapest petrol before the Wednesday price hike. Meanwhile, regional centres and cities like Darwin and Hobart, which do not follow distinct discount cycles, are expected to see a slow, continued easing of prices in response to recent drops in international wholesale costs.
Diesel drivers can remain optimistic, as international refined diesel prices have softened over the past fortnight. This should translate to further steady declines at the local bowser over the coming month, easing the burden on transport and logistics sectors.
Save Money with FuelRadar
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