Guide
Best Time to Buy Petrol in Australia
Petrol prices in Australian cities follow predictable cycles. Time your fill-up right and you can save 10-30 cents per litre without changing where you buy.
The short answer
Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to buy petrol in most Australian capital cities. Avoid late Friday and the day before public holidays, when prices tend to peak.
That said, the real answer depends on which city you're in and where that city is in its price cycle. Read on for city-specific guidance.
Best days by city
Perth
Perth has the most predictable cycle in the country. Prices are typically cheapest on Monday and peak on Tuesday. The weekly pattern makes it easy to time: fill up early in the week, avoid mid-week.
Adelaide
Adelaide runs on a tight 2.5-week cycle. Watch for the sharp price spike (often 15-25 cents in a day) which marks the start of a new cycle. Prices are cheapest in the days just before the next spike.
Sydney
Sydney's longer cycle makes daily timing less straightforward, but Tuesday and Wednesday are most often the cheapest days within any given week. The cycle trough (absolute cheapest point) comes roughly every 5-6 weeks.
Brisbane
Brisbane's 6-week cycle is similar to Sydney's. Compare prices at nearby stations before filling up, as there's often 10-20 cents variation within the same suburb. Use the Check Petrol map to spot the cheapest option.
Melbourne
Melbourne has the longest and least predictable cycle of the major cities. The best strategy is to check current prices rather than relying on a fixed day. Price differences of 20-30 cents between nearby stations are common.
What about smaller cities and regional areas?
Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and most regional towns don't follow regular price cycles. Prices in these areas tend to be more stable day-to-day but are often higher overall due to transport costs and fewer competing stations.
In these areas, the best strategy is to compare prices between stations rather than trying to time the cycle. Browse by state on Check Petrol to find the cheapest option:
When to avoid buying
- Late Friday afternoons. Retailers commonly raise prices heading into the weekend when people are more likely to fill up for trips.
- The day before public holidays and long weekends. Prices almost always spike ahead of Easter, Christmas, school holidays, and any long weekend.
- Right after a price spike. If prices at your local station have jumped 15-25 cents overnight, that's the start of a new cycle. Wait 3-5 days for prices to start falling back down.
How much can you actually save?
Based on ACCC data for price cycle swings in major cities. Actual savings depend on your city, tank size, and how consistently you time the cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest day to buy petrol in Australia?
Tuesday and Wednesday are generally cheapest across most capital cities. Perth is most predictable with Monday cheapest. The exact cheapest day depends on where your city is in its price cycle.
How much can I save by timing petrol purchases?
Typically $5-$15 per fill-up, or $260-$780 per year if you fill up weekly. The savings come from buying at the bottom of the price cycle instead of the peak.
When should I avoid buying petrol?
Late Friday, the day before public holidays, and immediately after prices spike sharply (the start of a new cycle). Wait a few days for prices to settle back down.
Check prices right now
Compare live fuel prices at over 8,000 stations. Stations are colour-coded: green for cheap, amber for average and orange for expensive, with red marking a fuel outage.