Middle East conflict triggers Australia’s worst fuel shortages in decades
Mar 11th 2026
Rising turmoil in the Middle East has tightened global fuel markets and left Australian distributors and primary producers scrambling, prompting rationing, supply cutoffs and a formal ACCC probe.
- Global supply shocks after the conflict have driven a spike in spot fuel orders that Australian distributors cannot meet.
- Independent distributors report drastic cuts to deliveries, with some receiving as little as 10 percent of normal supply.
- Retailers are rationing sales and some towns, farms, fishing operations and transport companies are effectively cut off.
- Wholesale price spikes could lift petrol by about 40 cents a litre within weeks, according to economists and industry reports.
- Federal Energy Minister says contracts are being honoured and warns against panic buying after meeting industry representatives.
- The ACCC has opened an inquiry into local fuel prices and whether any anti-competitive or illegal conduct occurred