The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has intensified its oversight of the fuel market and called on petrol retailers to explain recent pricing behaviour following sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices across Australia. The move comes amid growing consumer concern about sudden price spikes and reported distribution issues affecting regional and rural areas.
The regulator announced that it will urgently convene a meeting with fuel market participants to seek more detailed explanations for recent pricing conduct during the current period of volatility linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Representatives of motoring organisations will also be invited to attend the meeting in order to ensure that consumer concerns are represented during the discussions.
In addition to the meeting, the ACCC will begin publishing weekly updates on fuel market developments. The regulator said the initiative is intended to improve transparency for consumers while enabling closer monitoring of retailers’ behaviour.
ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said the authority had been closely monitoring fuel pricing patterns since the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East and was prepared to act against any unlawful conduct. She noted that the regulator is aware of the significant impact that higher fuel prices are having on Australian consumers.
According to Brakey, the ACCC will take enforcement action in cases where retailers mislead consumers about the reasons behind steep and rapid price increases or where conduct breaches competition laws. She added that the regulator will investigate any signs of collusive behaviour or misleading and deceptive conduct.
The ACCC is also examining reports of diesel supply problems in regional and rural Australia. The regulator said it is working with other agencies to explore possible measures to assist with diesel distribution, given its importance for primary producers, transport operators and other industries that rely heavily on fuel supply.
As part of its investigation, the ACCC has already written to petrol retailers seeking information about recent price increases and expects responses shortly. The regulator has emphasised that the industry should be aware that it will enforce the law decisively if breaches are identified.
The development follows the government’s decision to extend the ACCC’s monitoring of petroleum prices, costs and profits in Australia for a further five years beginning in 2026. Recent enforcement activity in the sector has also highlighted regulatory scrutiny, including a February 2026 decision by the Federal Court of Australia ordering Mobil Oil Australia to pay AUD 16 million in penalties for misleading representations about fuel sold at several petrol stations in Queensland.