What to Do During a Fuel Shortage

1. Check before you drive

The worst thing you can do during a shortage is drive from station to station looking for fuel. You'll burn through what you have left and add to traffic congestion at the stations that do have stock.

Use the Check Petrol map to see which stations near you have fuel before leaving the house. The outage tracker shows a national overview of where shortages are concentrated. If you're heading to a specific station, call ahead to confirm they have what you need, as stock can change quickly.

2. Don't panic buy

Panic buying is the fastest way to turn a manageable shortage into a crisis. When drivers who don't urgently need fuel rush to top up, stations run dry faster, which triggers more panic buying in a self-reinforcing cycle.

• Fill up when you're genuinely below a quarter tank, not when you're at three quarters.
• Don't fill jerry cans or spare containers. This creates artificial demand.
• If your car is electric or hybrid, leave fuel for those who can't plug in.
• Consider whether you actually need to drive today, or whether the trip can wait.

3. Stretch what you have

When fuel is scarce or expensive, small changes to how you drive can noticeably extend your range.

• Drive at a steady pace. Aggressive acceleration and heavy braking can increase fuel consumption by 15-30%. Smooth, consistent driving is the single biggest factor.
• Check your tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel use. Correct pressure is on the sticker inside the driver's door frame.
• Reduce unnecessary weight. Roof racks, heavy items in the boot, and towing equipment all increase fuel consumption. Remove anything you don't need.
• Combine trips. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm one. Doing multiple errands in one trip is more fuel-efficient than several short trips.
• Use air conditioning sparingly. AC adds 5-10% to fuel consumption. At lower speeds, open windows are more efficient. At highway speed, closed windows with AC is better.

4. Pick the right fuel type

During a shortage, some fuel types run out faster than others. Diesel is typically affected first because of commercial demand. Premium fuels (U95, U98) may also be scarce.

If your car can run on multiple fuel grades, check what's available before committing. Most petrol cars designed for U91 can also use E10 (ethanol blend). Most cars that recommend U95 can safely use U91, though you may notice slightly reduced performance. Check your owner's manual.

Never put petrol in a diesel car or diesel in a petrol car. This can cause serious engine damage.

5. Help others by reporting

If you visit a station and find it's run dry, take 10 seconds to report it on Check Petrol. Your report helps other drivers avoid a wasted trip. Reports expire after 24 hours, so the data stays fresh.

Why fuel shortages happen in Australia

Australia imports roughly 90% of its refined petrol, diesel, and jet fuel from overseas refineries, primarily in Singapore, South Korea, and China. This makes the country vulnerable to any disruption in the global supply chain. Common triggers include:

• Geopolitical crises like the current Strait of Hormuz blockade, which has disrupted crude supply to Asian refineries.
• Natural disasters that damage refineries, ports, or transport infrastructure.
• Refinery maintenance that temporarily reduces output from key suppliers.
• Panic buying that amplifies otherwise manageable supply disruptions.

Independent and regional stations tend to be affected first, as they have less purchasing power and smaller storage capacity than major chains. Diesel shortages are most common due to commercial demand.

Frequently Asked Questions