Diesel Prices Across Australia

The national average diesel price in Australia is 284.7 cents per litre as of 12 October 2026, based on 3,611 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; NSW FuelCheck also covers the ACT). Prices range from 200.6c/L (cheapest) to 440.0c/L (most expensive), a 239.4c spread.

Currently, Diesel is available at 3,611 service stations across 8 Australian states and territories. Prices range from 200.6c to 440.0c per litre, with a national average of 284.7c/L. The 239.4c/L price spread means savvy motorists can save up to $119.70 on a 50L tank by shopping around. Diesel commands a 38.8c/L premium (15.8%) over regular Unleaded 91. Queensland offers the cheapest Diesel prices (averaging 280.9c/L), while Northern Territory is 37.1c/L higher at 318.0c/L. Among major retailers, Burk consistently offers competitive Diesel pricing, averaging 265.4c/L across their 16 stations.

Last updated: 05:02 PM, 12 Oct 2026

5 cheapest diesel stations in Australia right now

#	Station	Suburb	Diesel
1	Independent Alyangula Township Service Station	Alyangula, NT	200.6c
2	Robinson River Store	Robinson River, NT	239.0c
3	Independent Aherrenge Community Store	Ampilatwatja, NT	240.0c
4	Ross River Resort	Hale, NT	250.0c
5	Vibe Ascot	Ascot, WA	251.3c

Find diesel near me right now →

284.7c

Average Price

200.6c

Cheapest Price

3,611+

Stations

239.4c

Price Range

PetrolSMART. Smart Fuel Insights

Prices Holding Steady

Prices are pretty stable at the moment. We're tracking 4,299 stations across Australia.

80 Price Drops Found

We've spotted 80 servos with recent price drops, currently cheaper than their local area average.

Cheapest Day: Monday

Looking at the data, Monday 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

95%

Fill Now

Good Value

Fair

Wait

Check

Check individual station prices in Diesel

Price Cycle Overview

Distribution of stations across cycle phases in Diesel

Dominant

Falling

26% conf

Low 0% (9)

Rising 6% (322)

High 0% (7)

Falling 94% (5157)

Falling Phase Dominant

Prices dropping - might pay to wait a bit

7-Day Price Forecast

+7.8c

average expected change

forecasting
drop

3870

stable

429

forecasting
rise

Prices Expected to Rise

Prices across Diesel are forecast to rise around 7.8c on average. Consider filling up soon if you're running low.

Best Day to Fill Up

Monday

Based on historical price patterns in Diesel, Monday tends to offer the best prices. Start of the week often brings lower prices as stations compete for customers.

Compared to Unleaded 91

38.8c/L more expensive

(15.8% premium) – ULP averages 245.9c/L vs Diesel at 284.7c/L

Diesel Prices by State

State	Average	Cheapest	Highest	Stations
Queensland	280.9c	263.9c	309.9c	221
Victoria	281.6c	256.7c	399.9c	1,014
Tasmania	282.2c	268.9c	291.9c	16
Western Australia	283.0c	251.3c	390.0c	976
New South Wales	284.4c	256.5c	381.0c	1,137
South Australia	286.0c	273.9c	318.0c	50
Australian Capital Territory	289.3c	275.9c	292.9c	19
Northern Territory	318.0c	200.6c	440.0c	178

Cheapest Diesel Stations

#	Station	Brand	Suburb	State	Price
1	Independent Alyangula Township Service Station	Independent	Alyangula	NT	200.6c
2	Robinson River Store	Independent	Robinson River	NT	239.0c
3	Independent Aherrenge Community Store	Independent	Ampilatwatja	NT	240.0c
4	Ross River Resort	Independent	Hale	NT	250.0c
5	Vibe Ascot	Vibe	Ascot	WA	251.3c
6	Vibe Kwinana OPT	Vibe	Kwinana Beach	WA	252.7c
7	Fastfuel 24/7	FastFuel 24/7	Forrestfield	WA	253.9c
8	Atlas Fuel Ascot	Atlas	Ascot	WA	254.5c
9	Costco Casuarina	Costco	Casuarina	WA	254.7c
10	Costco Perth Airport	Costco	Perth Airport	WA	254.7c
11	Atlas Fuel Wanneroo	Atlas	Wanneroo	WA	254.9c
12	Atlas Fuel Kwinana	Atlas	Kwinana Beach	WA	255.9c
13	Reflections Holiday Parks	Independent	Bigga	NSW	256.5c
14	Metro Brunswick West	Metro	Brunswick West	VIC	256.7c
15	Atlas Fuel Forrestfield	Atlas	Forrestfield	WA	256.9c

Diesel Prices by Brand

Brand	Average Price	Cheapest	Stations
Burk	265.4c	257.3c	16
Atlas	266.6c	254.5c	20
Vibe	269.3c	251.3c	50
Speedway	271.3c	264.5c	43
Solo	273.2c	261.5c	21
Petro Fuels	273.5c	261.9c	10
APCO	274.0c	265.2c	28
Metro	274.2c	256.7c	68
Pearl Energy	274.3c	259.9c	52
Budget	278.4c	264.9c	9
United	279.4c	258.9c	284
Astron	279.7c	259.9c	58

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.