Fuel price hikes return

RACQ08/05/2026
News
Fuel prices are spiking again across South East Queensland with more than 10% of sites surging to a new high of 219.9 cents per litre (cpl) for unleaded, raising concerns the unfair price cycle is returning amid ongoing global instability


"debris"
RACQ Principal Economic and Affordability Specialist Dr Ian Jeffreys said after months of sustained high prices, the last thing motorists needed was fuel companies reinstating and bolstering their retail margins.

“In the past week, at least 72 sites, or 13.3% of total sites, have already hiked to 219.9cpl, and we expect that number to grow in the coming days and weeks,” Dr Jeffreys said.
 
“It’s too early to say whether this is a short-term spike, but historically price cycles last for around six weeks in South East Queensland.
 
“Today’s new high of 219.9cpl includes the temporary 32-cent fuel excise cut which is currently due to finish at the end of June. Without it, prices would be sitting at around 251cpl.”
 
Fuel retailers appeared to abandon South East Queensland’s price cycle when conflict broke out in the Middle East and oil prices spiked at the start of March - since then, bowser prices have largely been tracking with wholesale fuel and global oil prices.
 
Dr Jeffreys is urging motorists to fill up now before other stations join the hike and reinstate the price cycle.
 
“The price difference between some of the cheapest and most expensive sites is around 50cpl – that equates to about $25 on a 50L tank for regular unleaded,” he said.
 
“There is no need for motorists to be filling up at the higher price of 219.9cpl, with most stations still charging under 180cpl for regular unleaded.
 
“Rocklea, Annerley, Greenslopes and Tingalpa are currently selling unleaded for under 170cpl on the southside, while Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills and Carseldine are among the cheapest on the northside.
 
“For diesel, Red Hill, Bracken Ridge, Nundah and Northgate are all offering prices below 240cpl.
 
“As always, use fuel price monitoring apps like RACQ’s ‘Fuel and Deals’ to find the cheapest sites near you. Buying at the cheaper sites will save you money and drive local competition.”
 
As a long-term solution to give Queenslanders a fairer deal, RACQ is undertaking detailed research into the most effective models for fuel price regulation, aimed at improving competition and making prices fairer.

 

“Queenslanders are doing it tough, and fuel price regulation will deliver much-needed relief,” Dr Jeffreys said.
Fuel pricesAdvocacyPolicy statementsFeaturedFeatured homepage

More articles

Related topics

Things to note

The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.

Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO)). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply.

Any advice provided by RDS and RACQO is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a purchase decision on the product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.

RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.

Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.

Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.

RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.

RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.