Melton Unleaded Drops Over 42 Cents While Perth Suburbs Jump Nearly 40 in Opposite Direction
Right, so if you're filling up this week, where you live makes a massive difference to what you're paying. I'm talking about a 42 cent swing in Melton compared to suburbs in Perth that have gone the complete opposite way. Let me break it down.
Victoria Is Having a Ripper of a Week
Here's the thing, right. Melton unleaded has dropped a whopping 42.1 cents, coming down from around 209.2 to 167.1 cents a litre across five stations. That's the kind of drop that saves you about $25 on a 60 litre tank. Think about that for a sec. That's a slab of beer just from timing your fill up right.
And it's not just Melton doing the right thing. Over in Sunbury, Premium 95 has come crashing down by 60.8 cents across seven stations, sitting around 169.1 now. Now, I know most of you aren't filling up on premium, but when the premium drops that hard it usually means standard unleaded isn't far behind.
If you're anywhere in Melbourne's western suburbs right now, you'd be mad not to take advantage. The fuel cycle has clearly bottomed out in these areas and it won't last forever. Regional Victoria is also showing some decent numbers. Moe has diesel as low as 158.5 cents, Ballarat starts at 159.3, and Epsom near Bendigo has it from 159.3 as well. Even Hastings down on the peninsula is showing 163.9 for diesel.
Fair dinkum, if you're in regional Vic and need to fill up the work ute, this is as good as it gets right now.
Meanwhile in Perth, It's a Different Story
Now here's where it gets interesting. While Melbourne's western suburbs are celebrating cheap petrol, Perth suburbs are copping increases that'd make your eyes water.
Mandurah unleaded has jumped 38.1 cents, going from 156.6 up to 194.7 cents a litre. That same 60 litre tank just cost you nearly $23 more than last week. Bibra Lake is up 31.8 cents, Forrestdale is up 29.5, and Ellenbrook has jumped 29.4 cents.
Worth keeping an eye on is that Perth's premium fuels have gone up even harder. Mandurah Premium 98 is up 37.8 cents to 219.6, and Ellenbrook Premium 98 has jumped 29.4 to 207.8. If you're running a turbo that needs the good stuff, you're really feeling it this week.
The WA cycle is clearly heading up while Victoria heads down. That's the nature of fuel pricing in Australia and it's exactly why keeping track of where your local area sits in the cycle can save you serious coin.
The Diesel Picture Across the Country
Quick rundown on diesel because I know plenty of you are running the tradie ute. NSW diesel average has jumped up to 181.7 cents, which is up nearly 12 cents. Not great. But if you know where to look, Smithfield still has it from 161.5 and Fairfield from 161.5 as well.
Victoria diesel average sits at 179.9 and Western Australia is at 180.0, so they're basically neck and neck. The cheapest diesel in the country right now? That'd be Forrestdale at 156.9 and Bassendean at 157.3 in WA, or Moe at 158.5 in regional Vic.
If you're up in the NT, I'm sorry to say the average is sitting at 235.3 cents with some stations charging up to 399.0. Remote area pricing is what it is, but that's still rough.
What You Should Do This Week
If you're in Melbourne's west or outer suburbs, fill up now. Seriously. Melton, Sunbury, and the surrounding areas are at the bottom of the cycle and prices will start climbing again soon enough.
If you're in Perth, you've probably missed the boat on cheap unleaded for this cycle. But keep an eye on diesel because suburbs like Byford at 159.5 and Forrestfield at 158.7 are still holding reasonable prices.
Look, end of the day, a bit of planning means more cash in your pocket for the important stuff. Check your local prices before you head out and if you're anywhere near these cheap spots, fill the tank right up. Can't argue with that.
