Fuel market data

The global benchmark for the kind of oil refined into Australian petrol. A 10% swing in Brent typically shows up at the pump 1–2 weeks later, partially absorbed by retailer margin.

Crude is priced in US dollars. A weaker Australian dollar means more AUD per barrel and pushes wholesale and retail prices up — even if Brent itself is flat.

What retailers pay for fuel at the wholesale terminal, before excise (~50c/L) and GST. The gap between TGP and retail price is the retail margin. Sustained margins above 25c/L typically signal retailer discipline rather than wholesale cost.

Days of national consumption held in commercial reserve under the federal Minimum Stockholding Obligation. Below 30 days for petrol or diesel signals tight supply; Australia typically holds 25–40 days.

Live count of stations reporting they are dry. Localised outages rarely move prices, but widespread regional outages combined with low stock cover can push wholesale TGP up within days.

The retail-side counterpart to the wholesale signals above. Wide divergence between state averages and the national mean often reflects local retailer competition or regulatory differences (e.g. WA's fixed daily-price rule).