The Digester
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Australia fuel shortages as panic buying leaves stations dry

Hundreds of petrol stations across Australia reported running dry as prices surged after the Iran conflict; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says supply remains secure while the government releases stockpiles and prepares emergency action.

Mar 27th 2026 · Australia

Insights

  • Hundreds of petrol stations nationwide reported running out of at least one type of fuel.
  • The government says national fuel supply remains secure and unchanged but shortages are driven by demand and distribution issues.
  • Panic buying and changed driver behavior have increased local shortages, including people filling jerry cans and transport firms advising drivers to top up early.
  • Average retail petrol rose to 238 Australian cents per litre from 171 cents four weeks earlier, and diesel in Sydney hit 314.5 cents a litre.
  • The government has released oil from the national stockpile, lowered fuel standards, and called an emergency national cabinet meeting.
  • Cyclone-related outages at the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG plants have added pressure to global energy markets.

Sources