Weekly Fuel Report - Thursday 26 March 2026

Weekly Fuel Report: 16 March 2026 – 22 March 2026

The Australian fuel market experienced significant upward pressure during the week ending 22 March 2026. Motorists across all capital cities and regional centres saw a marked increase in prices at the bowser, with diesel prices, in particular, surging by nearly 10 per cent in several jurisdictions. This widespread rise has been fuelled by international benchmark shifts and local supply chain costs, making it increasingly important for drivers to recognise the best times and locations to refuel.

Current fuel prices and prediction

Unleaded 91: Prices rose across every major city, with the national average climbing to 236.54 cpl. Geelong remains the cheapest location for U91, while Darwin recorded the highest average at 242.14 cpl.
Diesel: Significant price hikes were observed this week. Diesel averages have now surpassed the 280 cpl mark nationally, with some cities seeing weekly increases of over 28 cents per litre.
Premium Grades: Premium 95 and 98 followed the general market trend, with prices rising between 5% and 9% depending on the location.
E10: While slightly more affordable than U91, E10 prices also trended upwards, with Melbourne offering the most competitive average at 230.4 cpl.
Prediction: We expect prices to remain volatile and continue an upward trajectory over the coming week before potentially stabilising in early April.

Capital City Price Comparison

The following table provides a comparison of Unleaded 91 prices across Australia's capital cities for the period of 16 March to 22 March 2026.

City	Fuel Type	Average Price	Min Price	Max Price	Price Change	Percent Change	Trend
Sydney	Unleaded 91	236.04 cpl	229.67 cpl	244.31 cpl	14.64 cpl	6.37%	Rising
Melbourne	Unleaded 91	233.41 cpl	226.79 cpl	240.48 cpl	13.69 cpl	6.04%	Rising
Brisbane	Unleaded 91	235.09 cpl	228.85 cpl	242.24 cpl	13.39 cpl	5.85%	Rising
Perth	Unleaded 91	238.15 cpl	228.67 cpl	245.57 cpl	16.90 cpl	7.39%	Rising
Adelaide	Unleaded 91	237.02 cpl	227.00 cpl	248.65 cpl	21.65 cpl	9.54%	Rising
Hobart	Unleaded 91	238.28 cpl	227.27 cpl	249.16 cpl	21.89 cpl	9.63%	Rising
Darwin	Unleaded 91	242.14 cpl	235.22 cpl	249.24 cpl	14.02 cpl	5.96%	Rising
Canberra	Unleaded 91	235.93 cpl	229.12 cpl	244.53 cpl	15.41 cpl	6.73%	Rising

Price Trends by Fuel Type

National averages across different fuel types show a consistent rising trend. Diesel and Premium Diesel have seen the most aggressive price movements this week.

Fuel Type	National Average	Cheapest City	Cheapest Price	Trend
Unleaded 91	236.54 cpl	Geelong	233.05 cpl	Rising
E10 Petrol	233.06 cpl	Melbourne	230.40 cpl	Rising
Diesel	280.04 cpl	Melbourne	274.87 cpl	Rising
Premium 95	251.98 cpl	Geelong	246.94 cpl	Rising
Premium 98	261.62 cpl	Geelong	256.89 cpl	Rising

Looking Ahead

As we look toward the next 3 to 4 weeks, the outlook for motorists remains challenging. We analyse the market data to help you organise your refuelling schedule. In Sydney and Melbourne, we are currently in the rising phase of the price cycle, and it is unlikely we will see a return to the cycle low until mid-April. In Brisbane and Adelaide, the sharp increases seen this week suggest that prices may peak shortly before beginning a slow descent.

For those travelling long distances or for businesses that rely on diesel, the current price levels are expected to persist. We recommend that motorists monitor prices closely and fill up when they find a station that has not yet adjusted its prices to the new market highs.

Save Money with FuelRadar

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Conclusion

This week has been one of the most expensive periods for Australian motorists in recent months. By staying informed and using tools to compare prices, you can mitigate the impact of these rising costs. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the market shifts.