Analytics
Petrol Price Cycles in Australia
Retail petrol prices move in repeating patterns across major cities. Read the cycle to time your next fill-up — and beat the next jump.
U91Australia90-day charts
Reading the chart
How to time the Australia cycle
The chart below shows the rolling 90-day average price. Look for the repeating sawtooth shape — sharp jump, slow decline — and read where today sits in that pattern.
The peak
The chart jumps up sharply. Hold off the day after a peak — fill up then and you pay 20–30c/L more than someone who filled the day before.
The bottom
Right before the next jump, prices bottom out. This is when timing-conscious drivers fill the tank to the brim.
Cycle length
Watch the spacing between peaks. Most Australian capitals' cycle length is fairly stable, so the next jump is reasonably predictable.
Know when to fill up
Each city below shows where petrol is in its price cycle and a clear buy-or-wait call, updated with the latest price data.
The calls are built on regular unleaded petrol, but they usually hold for premium 95, premium 98, and E10 too.
Dig into the data yourself
Open the interactive tool to chart the cycle, spot the pattern, and pick the right day to fill up.
Open the chart toolSydney
The Sydney petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Melbourne
The Melbourne petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Brisbane
The Brisbane petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Perth
The Perth petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Adelaide
The Adelaide petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Canberra
The Canberra petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Darwin
The Darwin petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
Hobart
The Hobart petrol cycle over the last 90 days
Source: FuelRadar Australia data.
What a price cycle is
In major cities, petrol prices jump up fast, then drift down slowly over days or weeks before doing it all again. That repeating saw-tooth is the price cycle.
It's driven by how retailers price, not just wholesale costs — which is why the timing is predictable enough to plan your fill around.
Why the cycle differs by city
The length and size of the swing change from city to city and over time. Watching the cycle tells you which days are worth filling up and which to skip.
Common questions
Petrol price cycle FAQ
Retailers reset prices simultaneously to recover margin after a discounting period. The reset is usually triggered by the market leader (often the major brands' regional offices) and competitors follow within hours.
FuelRadar Australia app
Know when to fill up — in your pocket
See the forecast for your fuel and your servos, so you fill up before the next price jump — plus live prices when you need them.
- Today's call: fill up, wait or hold
- A heads-up before the next price jump
- Forecast the bottom of the cycle
- Cheapest servo near you, in seconds
