Queensland Petrol Prices Remain Stubbornly High as ACCC Fuel Monitoring Review Looms

Something significant is brewing in Australia's fuel regulation landscape, and Queensland motorists might finally get some answers about why they've been paying more at the bowser than their southern neighbours.

The ACCC's fuel monitoring unit is currently conducting its comprehensive quarterly review of Australia's retail fuel market, with preliminary findings expected in early February. What they find could reshape how we understand price disparities between states and why certain regions consistently pay more for unleaded petrol than others.

The Numbers Behind the Frustration

Here's what the data shows right now: Victoria motorists are finding ULP prices consistently 3 to 5 cents per litre cheaper than equivalent Brisbane suburbs for the same grades of fuel. That might sound modest until you multiply it across a 60 litre tank and factor in weekly fill ups. We're talking $150 to $200 extra per year for Queensland families.

To put this in perspective, regional areas across the eastern states show some fascinating patterns. Moe in regional Victoria is posting some of the country's most competitive prices, with servos there undercutting major metro areas by substantial margins. Meanwhile, Smithfield in Sydney's west continues to demonstrate that intense local competition can push prices well below state averages.

The practical upshot for your wallet is this: where you live matters more than it should when it comes to fuel prices.

What the ACCC Is Actually Looking At

Industry contacts tell me the current review is examining three key areas that could affect Queensland motorists directly.

First, wholesale distribution costs. Queensland's geography means longer supply chains from refineries to regional servos, but the premium charged often exceeds what those transport costs justify. The commission wants to understand where the extra margin is going.

Second, market concentration. After a decade of consolidation in the retail fuel sector, fewer independent operators remain to provide competitive pressure. The recent scrutiny of the Ampol and EG Australia merger proposal shows regulators are increasingly concerned about this trend.

Third, price transparency schemes. Western Australia has run FuelWatch for over 25 years now, requiring stations to lock in next day prices by 2pm. It's not perfect, but Perth motorists have enjoyed remarkably stable pricing compared to the wild swings eastern states endure.

Why Queensland Doesn't Have FuelWatch

Going back a few decades, Queensland actually considered implementing a price transparency scheme similar to WA's FuelWatch. It never happened. The reasons are instructive for understanding Australia's fragmented approach to fuel regulation.

State governments have traditionally been reluctant to intervene in fuel markets, with industry lobbying emphasising that price regulation would reduce competition and ultimately hurt consumers. The thing is, the evidence from Western Australia suggests the opposite. Perth motorists pay less and face far less price volatility than Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne drivers.

Compared to other countries, Australia's laissez faire approach stands out. Most European nations have fuel price reporting requirements, and several mandate daily price publication. The UK requires all major stations to display prices prominently on roadside signs. Australia only requires price board displays at the station itself.

What This Means for Brisbane and Regional Queensland

The real story behind current Queensland prices is that motorists in suburbs like Fortitude Valley, Toowong, and South Bank are caught in price cycles that can swing 20 cents or more within a week. Meanwhile, regional centres face their own challenges with less competition and longer supply chains.

Here's what most people don't realise: the ACCC has consistently found that Australia's fuel price cycles serve retailers' interests more than consumers'. The commission's previous reports have documented how the cycle allows retailers to recover margins after discounting periods, effectively transferring value from motorists to fuel companies.

For Queensland drivers, the practical advice remains the same as always: fill up early in the price cycle when possible, use price comparison apps, and consider servos slightly outside major shopping centres where competition pressure is lower.

The Bigger Picture

The ACCC review arrives at an interesting moment. Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating, refinery capacity in Australia continues to face pressure, and global oil markets remain volatile. All of these factors affect what Queenslanders pay at the bowser.

Industry sources say the February report will include specific analysis of eastern state price disparities for the first time in several years. If the findings support what consumer advocates have long argued, we might see renewed calls for price transparency measures similar to WA's FuelWatch.

Whether Queensland's state government would act on such recommendations is another question entirely. Previous attempts to introduce fuel price regulation have stalled amid industry opposition and concerns about administrative costs.

The fuel industry rarely makes headlines until prices spike, but understanding these regulatory dynamics puts you ahead of the curve. Keep an eye on this space when the ACCC releases its findings.

For now, Queensland motorists should continue checking prices before filling up. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive servos in any given suburb can easily exceed 15 cents per litre. That's real money that stays in your pocket when you take a few seconds to compare prices.

Check current Brisbane petrol prices on our interactive fuel map to find the best deals near you.