FuelRadar Weekly Fuel Report
Published: 6 July 2026
Reporting Period: 29 June 2026 to 5 July 2026
Overall Fuel Price Situation
Welcome to the latest weekly fuel report from FuelRadar. As we analyse the data for the week ending 5 July 2026, motorists across Australia are facing a universally upward shift at the bowser. Whether you are fuelling up a petrol hatchback in a capital city or filling a diesel 4WD in a regional centre, the trend is clear: prices are rising. The national average for Unleaded 91 (U91) has pushed to 161.86 cents per litre (cpl), driven by aggressive price cycle hikes on the East Coast and in South Australia. Diesel has also seen substantial jumps, placing renewed pressure on transport and logistics sectors.
Reported fuel prices and forecast
- Universal Upward Trend: Across all major capital cities and regional centres, Unleaded 91, E10, and Premium fuels are firmly in the rising phase of their respective price cycles.
- Most Affordable Capital: Despite a steep 16.69 cpl (11.23%) weekly hike, Adelaide remains the cheapest capital city for U91, averaging 155.13 cpl.
- Most Expensive Capital: Canberra holds the title for the most expensive capital for U91, averaging 167.69 cpl, closely followed by Hobart (166.98 cpl) and Darwin (166.91 cpl).
- Diesel Spikes: Diesel prices are climbing rapidly, with the national average hitting 181.94 cpl. Canberra experienced the sharpest diesel increase, surging by 19.77 cpl (10.65%) to an average of 192.27 cpl.
- Regional Relief: Interestingly, Geelong currently offers the cheapest diesel in the country at an average of 172.42 cpl, significantly undercutting nearby Melbourne (178.25 cpl).
- Forecast: We expect East Coast capital cities to reach the peak of their current price cycles within the coming days. Once these peaks are established, we forecast a transition into the discounting phase, though regional areas will likely see prices remain elevated for longer.
Capital City Price Comparison
The table below highlights the pricing landscape for Unleaded 91 across Australia's capital cities over the past week.
| City | Fuel Type | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Price Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | Unleaded 91 | 155.13 cpl | 148.67 cpl | 165.36 cpl | +16.69 cpl | 11.23% | Rising |
| Melbourne | Unleaded 91 | 155.31 cpl | 152.52 cpl | 161.66 cpl | +8.43 cpl | 5.50% | Rising |
| Sydney | Unleaded 91 | 155.95 cpl | 150.82 cpl | 162.61 cpl | +11.79 cpl | 7.82% | Rising |
| Brisbane | Unleaded 91 | 158.12 cpl | 153.58 cpl | 165.80 cpl | +11.26 cpl | 7.29% | Rising |
| Perth | Unleaded 91 | 158.49 cpl | 147.78 cpl | 166.67 cpl | +15.26 cpl | 10.12% | Rising |
| Darwin | Unleaded 91 | 166.91 cpl | 162.42 cpl | 174.36 cpl | +11.78 cpl | 7.25% | Rising |
| Hobart | Unleaded 91 | 166.98 cpl | 161.58 cpl | 173.63 cpl | +11.62 cpl | 7.17% | Rising |
| Canberra | Unleaded 91 | 167.69 cpl | 163.12 cpl | 175.84 cpl | +12.09 cpl | 7.38% | Rising |
Price Trends by Fuel Type
To help you optimise your fuel budget, here is a breakdown of the national averages and the most affordable and expensive markets for each fuel type.
| Fuel Type | National Average | Cheapest Market | Most Expensive Market | Overall Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 (U91) | 161.86 cpl | Adelaide (155.13 cpl) | Canberra (167.69 cpl) | Rising |
| Ethanol 10 (E10) | 158.54 cpl | Adelaide (149.27 cpl) | Canberra (165.69 cpl) | Rising |
| Diesel (DSL) | 181.94 cpl | Geelong (172.42 cpl) | Hobart (198.69 cpl) | Rising |
| Premium Diesel (PDSL) | 184.29 cpl | Adelaide (178.31 cpl) | Hobart (201.46 cpl) | Rising |
| Premium 95 (P95) | 178.04 cpl | Melbourne (171.29 cpl) | Canberra (187.23 cpl) | Rising |
| Premium 98 (P98) | 186.90 cpl | Adelaide (180.11 cpl) | Darwin (197.25 cpl) | Rising |
| E85 | 243.35 cpl | Brisbane / Gold Coast (235.61 cpl) | Perth (269.90 cpl) | Mixed |
Looking Ahead
As we move deeper into July, here is our forecast for the next 3 to 4 weeks:
- Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane: Motorists should recognise that we are nearing the peak of the current petrol price cycle. Expect prices to hover at these higher levels for the next week before retailers slowly begin the discounting phase. If you can hold off on filling a full tank for a few days, you may find better value as prices begin to trickle down.
- Adelaide: Having just experienced a massive 16.69 cpl spike, prices will likely stabilise at this upper threshold. Keep an eye out for independent retailers who may break rank and start discounting early.
- Perth: Western Australia’s strictly regulated weekly price cycle remains in full effect. Tuesday will continue to be the cheapest day to fill up, with prices predictably jumping on Wednesdays. Always try to organise your fuelling for early in the week.
- Regional Centres: Markets like Newcastle, Wollongong, and the Sunshine Coast generally experience a lag compared to their capital city counterparts. Expect petrol and diesel prices to continue a slow, sustained rise over the next fortnight before any relief arrives.
Check prices before you fill
Fuel prices can move quickly between nearby stations. Use FuelRadar 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 mobile app for saved stations, alerts and directions when you are out. Use the website at fuelradar.com.au/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.
Disclaimer: All prices are reported in cents per litre (cpl) and reflect average reported data across the FuelRadar network for the specified period. Local station prices may vary.
