There’s likely going to be long lines to the fuel bowser today, with the fuel excise reduction set to end, meaning that the 23 cent cut to prices will finish at midnight tonight (28 September).

Authorities have reported, however, that we shouldn’t see a price rise just yet and that consumers should be wary of price gouging. 

While the cut to the fuel excise was put in place by the former federal government in a time of increasing cost of living pressures and fuel climbing well above 200 cents per litre, the current government has maintained that it was temporary, costing the federal budget $3 billion in six months.



Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that the ACCC will be keeping a close eye to watch for price gouging from tomorrow. 

“(The) industry estimates that there’ll be more than 700 million litres of lower excise fuel in the system when the fuel excise is reintroduced. This is 700 million reasons why the price shouldn’t shoot up the full 23 cents on the night that the excise relief ends,” Mr Chalmers said. 

While the increase in price may be temporarily delayed, it will happen. 

According to FuelCheck, Unleaded 91 prices around the Western Plains vary at around 180 cents/litre, while diesel varies between 190-215 cents/litre. 

NSW Farmers Business, Economics and Trade Committee chair John Lowe said using the FuelCheck app is a simple way to help make sure you’re getting the best deal. 

“The state government requires fuel prices to be updated to the app in real-time, so you can easily find out if there are savings to be had just down the road,” Mr Lowe said. 

“Particularly for the larger operators who carry our food and freight around, the end of the excise discount is going to significantly increase the cost of transport,” he said. 

Inevitably, locals will begin to feel the pinch as trips cost more and more.

Climate Council Head of Advocacy Dr Jennifer Rayner said that a longer-term solution is needed. 

“The fuel excise was merely a temporary band-aid solution and did nothing to address the real issue of spiralling fuel costs in the longer term, which placed even more pressure on top of sky-rocketing bills. It was short-sighted. What we really need is fuel efficiency standards,” she said.

“The fact is, Australians are being totally ripped off when it comes to how we get around”

Dr Rayner suggests that owners of electric vehicles could save around $1,600 a year compared to a petrol car, but Australians don’t have much opportunity to buy them. 

“The Australian Government has started the conversation with its National Electric Vehicle Strategy, but we need it to move quickly and decisively to catch up with much of the rest of the world. The longer we wait to put fuel efficiency standards in place, the more Australians will be exposed to fuel price spikes and harmful pollution.”  

For now, it is estimated that the FuelCheck app could save drivers up to $800 a year by using it regularly.