Rajan Wilcox
Australia is a country with a lot of land to cover, so it's no surprise that Australians use a lot of fuel. In fact, the average cost of refuelling a car in Australia has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2023, it cost Australians around $73.10 to refuel their cars, up from $68.94 in 2022. The cost of fuel varies across the country, with Geelong households spending over $121 per week on fuel in the first quarter of 2024, while households in Wagga Wagga spent around $66.60. These costs are influenced by factors such as vehicle type, with diesel cars and 4x4s being the most expensive to fuel. Understanding fuel consumption in Australia involves surveying drivers, analysing trends, and considering factors like vehicle type and regional differences.
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What You'll Learn
Average fuel costs in Australia
The average cost of fuel in Australia has been steadily increasing over the years. In the first quarter of 2024, the weekly fuel costs for an average household in regional areas of Australia amounted to approximately $101.56. There are variations depending on the region, with households in Geelong spending over $121 per week, while those in Wagga Wagga spent around $66.60.
According to a survey by Budget Direct in 2023, it costs Australians an average of $73.10 to refuel a car, which is almost $5 more than what it was in 2022. The cost of vehicle fuel in Australia rose by 7.9% in the year leading up to September 2023. The most significant increase was observed in the cost of diesel fuel, which rose by 15.1 cents per litre in the same period. The average cost of petrol in the country's five largest cities (Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide) was 195.6 cents per litre in the September quarter of 2023.
The type of vehicle also impacts fuel costs. Diesel cars, utes, and 4x4s are the most expensive to refuel, with reported averages of over $100 per tank. In contrast, the average rate of fuel consumption for passenger vehicles is 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The increasing fuel costs have influenced Australians' vehicle preferences, with a growing number opting for more fuel-efficient cars or electric vehicles.
The frequency of refuelling varies among Australians. In 2023, 30.7% of respondents said they filled up their cars once a week, while 14.1% filled up once a month. Interestingly, almost a quarter of those with electric or LPG-powered vehicles reported using far less fuel in the past year.
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Fuel costs for households in regional areas
Fuel costs for Australian households have been steadily increasing since 2022. In 2023, the average cost to refuel a car in Australia was $73.10, up from $68.94 in 2022. This rise in fuel costs has impacted households in regional areas, who often rely on their cars for transportation.
In the first quarter of 2024, the weekly fuel costs per household in regional areas of Australia varied across different locations. For instance, in Geelong, the weekly fuel costs amounted to over $121, while in Wagga Wagga, the average weekly fuel cost was around $66.60. On average, a household in regional areas of Australia spent approximately $101.56 per week on fuel during this period.
The variation in fuel costs across regional areas can be attributed to several factors, including the distance travelled and the type of vehicle owned. For example, larger vehicles such as 4x4s and diesel cars tend to have higher fuel costs, with refuels costing over $100 on average. Additionally, the increasing cost of fuel has led to a rise in the number of people opting for more fuel-efficient cars or electric vehicles.
The impact of fuel costs on households in regional areas can be significant. Higher fuel prices can strain household budgets, especially for those who depend on their cars for work or other essential activities. In some cases, households may need to adjust their spending in other areas to accommodate the rising fuel costs. Furthermore, the increased cost of fuel can have a knock-on effect on the local economy, as people may reduce their discretionary spending or choose to travel less, impacting local businesses and tourism.
To mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs, some households in regional areas may consider alternative fuel options or more fuel-efficient vehicles. Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular choice, with a growing number of people transitioning from traditional fuel types to more sustainable and cost-effective options. Additionally, households can adopt fuel-saving strategies, such as carpooling or reducing non-essential travel, to optimise their fuel consumption and manage their overall fuel expenditure.
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Fuel consumption per vehicle
Fuel efficiency is on the rise in Australia, with more people choosing to lower their carbon emissions by investing in the green vehicle market. In 2023, battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles made up 16.2% of all new vehicles purchased in Australia. The percentage of battery-electric vehicles sold in Australia increased from 3.1% of all new vehicles purchased in 2022 to 7.2% in 2023.
The average rate of fuel consumption per passenger vehicle in Australia is 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The average cost of refuelling a car in Australia has increased since 2022, with respondents reporting that filling their cars in 2023 cost them almost $5 more on average than the previous year. On average, those surveyed said they spent $73.10 on fuel for their car, up from $68.94 in 2022. The cost of vehicle fuel in Australia rose by 7.9% in the year leading up to September 2023.
The increase in fuel prices has influenced consumer behaviour, with a growing number of respondents stating that they would opt for a more fuel-efficient car or an electric vehicle if fuel prices rose by $1 per litre. In 2023, 2.6% of respondents reported that their cars ran on electricity, LPG, or other alternative fuels, a notable increase from 0.4% in 2022.
The type of vehicle owned also impacts fuel costs. Respondents with the highest fuel expenses included those who owned 4x4s, paying $111.99 per refuel, followed by diesel car owners at $103.04 per tank, and ute owners at $102.65.
In terms of regional differences, more than a quarter of those surveyed in Western Australia reported using less fuel in the past 12 months, while 21.1% of respondents from Victoria stated they were using more fuel. Age also played a factor, with those aged 38 to 47 being the most likely age group to spend more time on the road, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
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Fuel consumption by state
Fuel consumption in Australia varies across its states and territories. A 2020 report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Victoria had the highest road freight estimate, transporting 59,284 million tonne-kilometres, closely followed by Queensland (52,833 million tonne-kilometres), New South Wales (51,277 million tonne-kilometres), and Western Australia (34,478 million tonne-kilometres). Tonne-kilometres are calculated by multiplying the number of tonnes moved by the distance travelled in kilometres for each freight-carrying vehicle.
In 2023, the average cost of refuelling a car in Australia was $73.10, a notable increase from $68.94 in 2022. The most expensive vehicles to refuel were diesel cars, utes, and 4x4s, costing over $100 per refill. The rising cost of fuel has influenced consumer preferences, with an increasing number of Australians expressing interest in more fuel-efficient cars or electric vehicles. This shift is reflected in the slight increase in the percentage of respondents who reported using electricity, LPG, or other types of fuel.
In the September quarter of 2023, the five largest cities in Australia (Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide) experienced an increase in the average cost of petrol, reaching 195.6 cpl, up from 182.9 cpl in the previous quarter. Similarly, the cost of diesel rose during this period, with an average of 201.7 cpl in these cities.
Articulated trucks had the highest rate of fuel consumption per vehicle, averaging 53.1 litres per 100 kilometres, while passenger vehicles consumed an average of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres.
In 2022-23, energy consumption trends varied across the states and territories. Northern Territory witnessed a significant decrease in consumption by 14% due to reduced energy use at liquefied natural gas plants and less international air transport. South Australia also reported a slight decline of 0.4% attributed to a transition to renewable energy sources in the electricity sector. In contrast, consumption increased in most other states, primarily driven by higher transport activity.
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Fuel costs by vehicle type
Fuel costs in Australia have been on the rise in 2023, with the average cost to refuel a car increasing by almost $5 since 2022. The average cost to refuel a car in Australia in 2023 is $73.10, up from $68.94 the previous year. However, this average cost varies depending on the type of vehicle and the fuel type.
Diesel vehicles
Diesel vehicles, including cars, utes, and 4x4s, are among the most expensive vehicles to refuel, with costs exceeding $100 per refill on average. In 2023, the average cost to refuel a diesel car was $103.04, while a ute cost $102.65, and a 4x4 cost $111.99. These vehicles are significantly impacted by rising fuel prices due to their higher fuel consumption.
Electric, LPG, and other alternative fuel vehicles
Vehicles powered by electricity, LPG, or other alternative fuels have the lowest average refuel costs. In 2023, the average cost to refuel these vehicles was $31.65, significantly lower than the average for petrol or diesel vehicles. The increase in interest in electric vehicles is also notable, with a rise in the percentage of respondents considering or purchasing these vehicles.
SUVs
Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are the most popular car choice in Australia, with over half of the cars purchased in the year to October 2023 falling into this category. However, SUVs can use up to 25% more fuel per kilometre than medium-sized cars, resulting in higher fuel costs for their owners.
Passenger vehicles
Passenger vehicles have a lower rate of fuel consumption compared to freight vehicles. On average, passenger vehicles consume 11.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.
Freight vehicles
Freight vehicles, such as articulated trucks, have a higher rate of fuel consumption. Articulated trucks, in particular, consume an average of 53.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, which is significantly higher than passenger vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
In the first quarter of 2024, an average Australian household in a regional area spent approximately 101.56 dollars per week on fuel.
On average, it costs Australians $73.10 to refuel a car. This cost has been increasing since 2022, when the average cost was $68.94.
Articulated trucks have the highest rate of fuel consumption per vehicle, at 53.1 litres per 100 kilometres.
Unleaded petrol is the most common fuel choice in Australia, with half of those surveyed saying they used Unleaded 95 and under, and one in five using Unleaded 98+.
While there are no exact figures on the total amount of fuel used in Australia annually, surveys indicate that fuel consumption has been increasing. For example, in 2023, 30.7% of respondents said they filled up their cars once a week, up from 24.6% in 2022.
