Weekly Fuel Report - Wednesday 1 April 2026

Weekly Fuel Report: 23 March 2026 to 29 March 2026

Welcome to the FuelRadar weekly fuel report. The final full week of March has seen a significant and sustained increase in petrol and diesel prices across all Australian capital cities and major regional centres. Motorists are currently facing some of the highest prices recorded this year, with diesel prices notably breaking the $3.00 per litre mark in every monitored jurisdiction. This upward pressure is being felt nationally, as the global market continues to influence local bowser prices.

Current fuel prices and prediction

National Average: The national average for Unleaded 91 (U91) has climbed to 251.95 cpl, while Diesel has reached a staggering national average of 307.33 cpl.
Sydney: U91 prices in Sydney have risen by 12.13 cpl to an average of 250.95 cpl. Diesel has seen a sharp 8.89% increase, now averaging 308.75 cpl.
Melbourne: Melbourne remains the cheapest capital for U91 at 247.98 cpl, despite a 12.44 cpl increase this week.
Brisbane: Prices are rising sharply in Brisbane, with U91 up by 14.59 cpl (6.03%) to an average of 250.69 cpl.
Adelaide: Adelaide has seen U91 jump to 254.77 cpl, with Diesel prices increasing by nearly 28 cpl over the seven-day period.
Perth: Perth's U91 average sits at 252.37 cpl, following the regular price cycle movements, though the overall trend remains firmly upward.
Darwin: Darwin currently holds the title for the most expensive capital city for U91, averaging 257.11 cpl.
Diesel Alert: Diesel and Premium Diesel prices have surged by 7% to 10% across the country, with Wollongong recording the highest Diesel average at 310.87 cpl.

Capital City Price Comparison

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of Unleaded 91 prices across Australian capital cities for the period of 23 March to 29 March 2026. All prices are in cents per litre (cpl).

City	Fuel Type	Average Price	Min Price	Max Price	Price Change	Percent Change	Trend
Sydney	Unleaded 91	250.95	244.30	256.43	12.13	4.97%	Rising
Melbourne	Unleaded 91	247.98	242.27	254.71	12.44	5.13%	Rising
Brisbane	Unleaded 91	250.69	242.08	256.67	14.59	6.03%	Rising
Perth	Unleaded 91	252.37	245.03	258.39	10.39	4.22%	Rising
Adelaide	Unleaded 91	254.77	248.69	259.57	10.88	4.37%	Rising
Canberra	Unleaded 91	251.54	244.58	257.44	12.86	5.26%	Rising
Darwin	Unleaded 91	257.11	249.36	263.08	13.72	5.50%	Rising
Hobart	Unleaded 91	255.83	249.20	259.52	8.61	3.46%	Rising

Price Trends by Fuel Type

While U91 is the benchmark for many motorists, the rise in Diesel and Premium fuels has been even more aggressive this week. Below are the national averages across various fuel types.

Fuel Type	National Average Price	Trend	Cheapest Market
Unleaded 91	251.95 cpl	Rising	Melbourne (247.98 cpl)
E10	248.63 cpl	Rising	Geelong (244.91 cpl)
Diesel	307.33 cpl	Rising	Melbourne (301.95 cpl)
Premium Diesel	308.43 cpl	Rising	Melbourne (302.24 cpl)
Premium 95	267.49 cpl	Rising	Geelong (261.65 cpl)
Premium 98	277.10 cpl	Rising	Geelong (271.40 cpl)
E85	236.96 cpl	Rising	Geelong (232.76 cpl)

Looking Ahead

As we move into April, we expect fuel prices to remain volatile with a continued upward trajectory. In Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, the current rising trend suggests that the peak of the price cycle has not yet been reached. Motorists should prepare for prices to potentially increase by another 5 to 10 cents per litre over the next two weeks before any significant softening occurs.

Adelaide and Perth are also expected to see continued increases as the market adjusts to higher wholesale costs. Diesel users, in particular, should exercise caution and plan their refueling, as there are currently no signs of the diesel premium subsiding in the immediate 3-4 week forecast.

Save Money with FuelRadar

With fuel prices constantly fluctuating, finding the best deal in your area can save you significant money over time. The FuelRadar app is your essential tool for locating the cheapest fuel prices in your neighbourhood, updated in real-time. By checking the app before you leave home, you can avoid the "sticker shock" of high-priced stations and find those retailers that are slower to raise their prices during a hike.

FuelRadar's user-friendly interface allows you to quickly compare prices across different service stations, helping you make informed decisions before filling up. The app's map feature shows you exactly where to find the best deals, saving you both time and money. Whether you are searching for U91, Diesel, or Premium 98, the ability to sort by price ensures you never pay more than necessary.

Available on both iOS and Android devices, FuelRadar puts the power to save in your hands. You can also access the service via our website at https://fuelradar.com.au/map for desktop planning. Our data is refreshed constantly to ensure that the price you see on your screen is the price you get at the bowser.

Download the FuelRadar app today and join thousands of motorists who are saving on every fill-up! Don't let rising fuel costs dent your household budget when the cheapest petrol in town is just a tap away.

Conclusion

The week ending 29 March has been challenging for Australian drivers. With every major city recording a rising trend and diesel prices reaching unprecedented levels, it is more important than ever to monitor price movements. We recommend motorists fill up when they see prices below the current city average and use tools to locate the best value in their local area.