As the cuts to the fuel excise finishes at the end of September, drivers should brace themselves for higher costs at the fuel pump. 

In response to staggeringly high fuel prices earlier this year, the federal government cut fuel taxes by 22.1 cents per litre to offer temporary relief for drivers, but the end date has always been set. 

Now that the excise cut is coming to a close, it feels like there’s little to do except wait for the painful cost rises to take effect. 

National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) CEO Warren Clark said that despite the price relief ending, there’s no evidence of fuel getting cheaper anytime soon. 

“Fuel prices are ultimately dictated by world events and there are no signs the cost of diesel is going down substantially any time soon,” Mr Clark said. 

NatRoad has been pushing the Federal Government for the Fuel Tax Credits - a rebate for fuel taxes for heavy vehicle drivers and farmers - to be restored as the excise cut finishes, but there is so far no indication of what will happen.

“Even if that does occur, it will be a bumpy ride,” he said. 

An earlier agreement from all State and Territory Ministers means that heavy vehicle owners can also expect to see a 2.75 per cent increase in charges when registrations fall due.

“Margins remain tight and some operators have been forced out of the industry by the last government’s Budget decisions,” Mr Clark said. 

“These are among many reasons NatRoad has been urging the Albanese Government to provide our industry with some form of special relief,” he said. 

“Now is the time for every operator to start talking to their suppliers and to understand how to optimise their Fuel Tax Credit entitlement post 28 September.”

For the average driver who isn’t eligible for fuel price relief, however, it is advised to fuel up before September 28, as service station lines are expected to be long on the last day of the tax cut.