Diesel Prices Across Australia

The national average diesel price in Australia is 255.9 cents per litre as of 23 August 2026, based on 6,580 stations tracked twice daily via official government APIs (NSW FuelCheck, QLD Fuel API, SA Informed Sources, VIC Fair Fuel, WA FuelWatch, NT MyFuel, TAS FuelCheck) plus community-verified sources for ACT and NZ. Prices range from 3.9c/L (cheapest) to 420.0c/L (most expensive), a 416.1c spread.

Currently, Diesel is available at 6,580 service stations across 24 Australian states and territories. Prices range from 3.9c to 420.0c per litre, with a national average of 255.9c/L. The 416.1c/L price spread means savvy motorists can save up to $208.05 on a 50L tank by shopping around. Diesel commands a 41.6c/L premium (19.4%) over regular Unleaded 91. New South Wales offers the cheapest Diesel prices (averaging 252.3c/L), while Northern Territory is 35.3c/L higher at 287.6c/L. Among major retailers, Burk consistently offers competitive Diesel pricing, averaging 234.2c/L across their 20 stations.

Last updated: 10:52 AM, 23 Aug 2026

5 cheapest diesel stations in Australia right now

#	Station	Suburb	Diesel
1	Independent Warc Minjilang Fuel	Minjilang, NT	3.9c
2	Reflections Holiday Parks	Bigga, NSW	194.5c
3	Reflections Holiday Parks	Bigga, NSW	194.5c
4	Speed Service Station	Speed, VIC	197.9c
5	Independent Alyangula Township Service Station	Alyangula, NT	204.2c

Find diesel near me right now →

255.9c

Average Price

3.9c

Cheapest Price

6,580+

Stations

416.1c

Price Range

PetrolSMART. Smart Fuel Insights

Prices Trending Up

Heads up - prices are trending up about 5.5c on average. Might be worth filling up soon.

9 Price Drops Found

We've spotted 9 servos with recent price drops, currently cheaper than their local area average.

Cheapest Day: Thursday

Looking at the data, Thursday tends to have the best prices. Worth planning your fill around if you can.

PetrolSMART Price Intelligence

Price Drops
in last 24h

PetrolSMART Market Sentiment

100%

Fill Now

Good Value

Fair

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Check

Check individual station prices in Diesel

Price Cycle Overview

Distribution of stations across cycle phases in Diesel

Dominant

Falling

8% conf

Low 0% (1)

Rising 42% (4112)

High 0% (16)

Falling 58% (5729)

Falling Phase Dominant

Prices dropping - might pay to wait a bit

7-Day Price Forecast

+5.5c

average expected change

forecasting
drop

6811

stable

277

forecasting
rise

Prices Expected to Rise

Prices across Diesel are forecast to rise around 5.5c on average. Consider filling up soon if you're running low.

Best Day to Fill Up

Thursday

Based on historical price patterns in Diesel, Thursday tends to offer the best prices. Some areas see prices start to rise on Thursday ahead of the weekend.

Compared to Unleaded 91

41.6c/L more expensive

(19.4% premium) – ULP averages 214.3c/L vs Diesel at 255.9c/L

Diesel Prices by State

State	Average	Cheapest	Highest	Stations
New South Wales	252.3c	194.5c	336.0c	1,356
Victoria	252.4c	197.9c	339.9c	1,283
Queensland	253.4c	212.8c	336.9c	1,064
South Australia	254.4c	234.9c	350.0c	387
Western Australia	255.2c	227.2c	390.0c	1,220
Tasmania	255.9c	243.9c	299.0c	50
Australian Capital Territory	259.6c	245.9c	262.9c	23
Northern Territory	287.6c	3.9c	420.0c	181

Cheapest Diesel Stations

#	Station	Brand	Suburb	State	Price
1	Independent Warc Minjilang Fuel	Independent	Minjilang	NT	3.9c
2	Reflections Holiday Parks	Independent	Bigga	NSW	194.5c
3	Reflections Holiday Parks	Independent	Bigga	NSW	194.5c
4	Speed Service Station	Shell	Speed	VIC	197.9c
5	Independent Alyangula Township Service Station	Independent	Alyangula	NT	204.2c
6	Onestop Service Station & Convenience Store	Ampol	Dimbulah	QLD	212.8c
7	Matthews Mortlake	Matthews	Mortlake	VIC	215.9c
8	Astron Beresfield	Astron	Beresfield	NSW	219.9c
9	Anchorage General Store	Independent	Ventnor	VIC	219.9c
10	Pearl Energy Bomaderry	Pearl Energy	Bomaderry	NSW	223.9c
11	Metro Petroleum Bomaderry	Metro	Bomaderry	NSW	223.9c
12	24xpress Marsden Park	Independent	Waterford West	QLD	225.5c
13	Perrys Fuel - Birchip	Independent	Birchip	VIC	226.9c
14	Unmanned Diesel Perrys Fuel - Birchip	Independent	Birchip	VIC	226.9c
15	Medco Maitland	Independent	Maitland	NSW	227.5c

Diesel Prices by Brand

Brand	Average Price	Cheapest	Stations
Burk	234.2c	227.3c	20
Costco	238.1c	230.7c	6
Speedway	241.6c	234.5c	44
Vibe	241.7c	227.2c	55
Atlas	241.8c	231.9c	29
Ultra Petroleum	242.5c	237.9c	10
APCO	243.6c	233.3c	32
Petro Fuels	243.9c	238.5c	8
Metro	243.9c	223.9c	112
Solo	244.0c	236.9c	36
Matthews	244.2c	215.9c	11
Budget	245.4c	237.9c	10

About Diesel

Standard diesel fuel for compression-ignition engines. Popular for trucks, SUVs, and vehicles requiring high torque and fuel efficiency for long-distance driving.

Suitable for: Diesel vehicles including trucks, 4WDs, commercial vehicles, and diesel passenger cars

Complete Guide to Diesel in Australia

Overview

Diesel fuel powers a significant portion of Australia's vehicle fleet, from the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger (the country's two best-selling vehicles) to heavy commercial trucks and agricultural machinery. Unlike petrol engines that use spark ignition, diesel engines compress air until it heats enough to ignite the fuel spontaneously, producing more torque per litre and better fuel economy. Australian diesel meets the Euro 5 standard with a maximum sulphur content of 10 parts per million.

Who Should Use Diesel?

Diesel is the fuel of choice for drivers who cover long distances, tow trailers or caravans, or need a vehicle for commercial or off-road use. Popular diesel vehicles in Australia include the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota LandCruiser, Mazda BT-50, and Isuzu D-Max. Many SUVs like the Toyota Prado, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sorento also offer diesel variants. If you drive fewer than 15,000 kilometres per year mostly in urban areas, a petrol vehicle may be more cost-effective after factoring in higher diesel fuel prices and servicing costs.

Buying Tips for Australian Motorists

Diesel pricing in Australia behaves differently from petrol. While ULP in east coast cities follows distinct weekly or fortnightly cycles, diesel prices tend to be more stable with smaller fluctuations. However, diesel is often 10 to 20 cents per litre more expensive than ULP due to higher refining costs and stronger global demand (diesel is used for shipping, mining, and freight worldwide). Regional and rural areas typically see less price variation for diesel than for petrol, though prices increase with distance from capital cities due to transport costs.

Fuel Efficiency and Economy

Diesel engines are inherently more thermally efficient than petrol engines, typically achieving 20 to 35 percent better fuel economy. A diesel Toyota HiLux averages around 7.0L/100km on the highway versus 8.5L/100km for the petrol variant. For long-distance touring or towing, the efficiency advantage is even more pronounced. Modern common-rail diesel engines with turbocharging deliver strong low-end torque, making them ideal for hauling heavy loads up hills and towing boats or caravans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel

What happens if I accidentally put petrol in a diesel car?

Do not start the engine. Petrol in a diesel engine can cause catastrophic damage to the fuel pump, injectors, and combustion system because petrol does not provide the lubrication that diesel fuel systems require. If you have not started the engine, a mechanic can drain the tank at a cost of $200 to $500. If the engine has been run, repair costs can exceed $5,000. Call roadside assistance immediately.

Is premium diesel worth the extra cost?

Premium diesel contains cleaning additives, cetane boosters, and anti-foaming agents. For newer vehicles with common-rail injection systems and diesel particulate filters (DPF), using premium diesel every third or fourth tank can help keep injectors clean and assist DPF regeneration. For older diesel vehicles without modern emission controls, the benefits are minimal and standard diesel is sufficient.

Why is diesel more expensive than petrol in Australia?

Diesel costs more to refine than petrol and faces strong global demand from commercial transport, mining, and shipping industries. Australia also imports a significant portion of its refined diesel, exposing prices to international market fluctuations and shipping costs. Unlike petrol, diesel does not experience the same deep discounting during price cycle troughs in Australian cities.

Do diesel cars need more maintenance than petrol cars?

Modern diesel vehicles require specific maintenance including diesel particulate filter (DPF) care, AdBlue top-ups for Euro 6 vehicles, and more frequent fuel filter replacements. Oil change intervals may also be shorter. However, diesel engines are typically built more robustly and can last 300,000 to 500,000 kilometres with proper maintenance, often outlasting their petrol equivalents.