Hundreds of service stations out of fuel
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www.abc.net.auHere’s the latest on Australia’s petrol station shortages.
- Widespread shortages continue to bite across several states, with NSW and Victoria reporting large numbers of stations without fuel during late March and early April 2026.[1][3][4]
- The government has been juggling supply measures, including releasing reserves and temporarily relaxing fuel standards to ease availability, while Parliament considers penalties for price gouging.[2][6][1]
- By early April 2026, hundreds of stations were still reporting no diesel or unleaded petrol, though shipments from international refineries were expected to arrive to bolster supply within the month.[7][1]
Key context and what to watch
- The situation has been described as severe in metropolitan areas, with some regional pockets extremely affected, driven by panic buying and supply chain disruptions.[1][7]
- Government communications emphasize ensuring price fairness and stabilizing supply rather than imposing broad rationing, unless conditions drastically worsen.[2][1]
- For on-the-ground updates, local service Victoria and NSW transport or government portals often provide the most current station-by-station status and nearest alternative options.[5][7]
Illustration example
- If you’re planning travel this weekend, it helps to check live fuel availability apps or Service Victoria’s tools to locate nearby stations with fuel and current prices, especially in NSW and Victoria.[5][7]
Citations
- Australia fuel shortages and station outages updates[1]
- Australian government measures on fuel supply and price gouging[2]
- Victoria’s fuel update and station status details[5]
- NSW fuel shortage figures and national context[4]