FuelRadar Weekly Fuel Report: 28 June – 4 July 2026
Welcome to the latest weekly fuel report from the FuelRadar analyst team. For the week ending 4 July 2026, Australian motorists have faced a challenging environment at the bowser, with petrol and diesel prices climbing across almost all major centres. As we analyse the data from the past seven days, the overarching theme is a synchronised upward swing in the price cycle, heavily impacting household travel budgets.
Reported fuel prices and forecast
- Universal Increases: Unleaded 91 (U91) prices have risen across every capital city, driven by the tightening of wholesale margins and local retail cycles entering their expensive phases.
- Highest Spikes: Adelaide and Perth motorists experienced the sharpest shocks, with U91 averages jumping by 13.89 cents per litre (9.42%) and 13.52 cents per litre (8.93%) respectively.
- Diesel Climbing: Diesel (DSL) and Premium Diesel (PDSL) are not immune to the trend, with the national average for standard diesel pushing up to 180.43 cents per litre.
- Regional Pressures: Regional centres like Newcastle, Central Coast, and Townsville are mirroring capital city trends, showing solid increases of between 4% and 7% across most fuel types.
- Short-term Forecast: We expect prices in the major east coast capitals to hit the top of their current cycles over the coming week before retailers begin a slow discounting phase.
Capital City Price Comparison
The table below highlights the average prices and weekly changes for Unleaded 91 (U91) across Australia's capital cities. Note: Prices are displayed in dollars per litre.
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | $1.54 | $0.09 | 6.11% | Rising |
| Melbourne | Unleaded 91 | $1.54 | $0.05 | 3.21% | Rising |
| Brisbane | Unleaded 91 | $1.57 | $0.07 | 4.40% | Rising |
| Perth | Unleaded 91 | $1.56 | $0.14 | 8.93% | Rising |
| Adelaide | Unleaded 91 | $1.53 | $0.14 | 9.42% | Rising |
| Hobart | Unleaded 91 | $1.65 | $0.09 | 5.58% | Rising |
| Darwin | Unleaded 91 | $1.65 | $0.09 | 5.39% | Rising |
| Canberra | Unleaded 91 | $1.66 | $0.08 | 4.58% | Rising |
Price Trends by Fuel Type
To provide a clear picture of how different fuels are performing, the following table uses Sydney as a benchmark to illustrate the price movements across all major fuel grades over the past week.
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | E10 | $1.52 | $0.09 | 6.27% | Rising |
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | $1.54 | $0.09 | 6.11% | Rising |
| Sydney | Premium 95 | $1.71 | $0.10 | 5.85% | Rising |
| Sydney | Premium 98 | $1.80 | $0.10 | 5.67% | Rising |
| Sydney | Diesel | $1.78 | $0.11 | 6.52% | Rising |
| Sydney | Premium Diesel | $1.80 | $0.08 | 4.69% | Rising |
Looking Ahead
As we look toward the next 3 to 4 weeks, motorists should prepare their fuelling strategies accordingly:
- East Coast (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane): The current retail price cycle is nearing its peak. We anticipate prices will remain stubbornly high for the next several days before retailers begin a gradual discounting phase. If you can hold off on a full tank, you may find better value towards the end of July.
- Adelaide & Perth: Both cities have just experienced severe price spikes. Perth's regular weekly cycle means cheaper days will reliably return, so time your fills carefully. Adelaide's highly volatile cycle suggests prices will likely remain elevated in the short term before dropping sharply.
- Regional Centres: Locations like Geelong, Wollongong, and the Gold Coast usually operate on a slight delay compared to the capitals. Expect prices in these areas to continue creeping upwards as higher wholesale costs filter through the supply chain.
Check prices before you fill
Fuel prices can move quickly between nearby stations. Use ' . app(\App\Services\SiteConfigService::class)->getSiteName() . ' to compare reported prices, update times and station locations before you choose where to fill.
The map is useful when you want to see nearby stations quickly. The list is useful when you want to sort by price, distance or fuel type before leaving home, work or the shops.
Use the app for saved stations, alerts and directions when you are out. Use the website at ' . url('/map') . ' when planning on a larger screen.
Before buying a full tank, check whether the saving is worth the drive: compare the pump price, distance, update time and local price trend.
Conclusion
With prices firmly on the rise across the nation, taking a moment to analyse your local market and organise your refuelling stops has never been more important. Stay safe on the roads, and we will be back next week with another update on Australia's fuel landscape.
