How to Save Money on Petrol in Australia (2026 Guide)

In most major Australian cities - especially Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane - petrol prices follow a predictable weekly cycle. Prices drop to their lowest point mid-week (typically Tuesday to Thursday) and peak on weekends when demand is highest.

If you can fill up on a Wednesday or Thursday rather than Friday afternoon, you can often save 10–20 cents per litre. On a 50-litre tank, that's $5–$10 saved every single fill-up. Over a year, that easily adds up to $250–$500.

These free tools do the price comparison work for you:

• GasBuddy - crowd-sourced prices updated in real time across Australia
• MotorMouth - similar to GasBuddy, strong in metro areas
• FuelWatch (WA) - government-run daily pricing for Western Australian stations
• NRMA/RAA/RAC/RACQ apps - state-specific price trackers from motoring clubs
• Coles and Woolworths apps - check your fuel discount voucher balance before you fill up

Spending 30 seconds checking one of these before a fill-up is one of the highest ROI habits you can build.

Both major supermarkets run fuel discount schemes. Spending $30 or more at Coles typically triggers a 4 cents per litre discount at Coles Express/Shell stations. Woolworths' Everyday Rewards program offers similar vouchers at Ampol (formerly BP/Caltex) stations.

If you shop at these supermarkets regularly anyway, this is free money - just make sure you're not spending more on groceries than you're saving at the pump. Stack your weekly shop into a single transaction to hit the threshold in one hit rather than multiple small purchases.

Paying less per litre only goes so far - using less is the other half of the equation:

• Tyre pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel use. Check monthly - most service stations have free air pumps.
• Reduce AC use at low speeds: Aircon can increase fuel consumption by 10–15%. Use it on highways where drag costs more; at city speeds, try the window.
• Smooth acceleration and braking: Aggressive driving burns significantly more fuel. Ease off early before lights and let the car decelerate naturally.
• Remove roof racks when not in use: An empty roof rack adds drag and can increase fuel use by 10–15% at highway speeds.
• Combine trips: Cold engine starts use more fuel. Batching errands into one trip is more efficient than multiple short drives.
• Lighten your boot: Every 45 kg of extra weight increases fuel consumption by roughly 2%. Clear out what you're not using.

Many Australians reflexively choose 95 or 98 octane fuel when their car only requires 91 (E10 or regular unleaded). Check your owner's manual - if it says 91 minimum, there's no benefit to paying for premium.

Conversely, if your car requires 95+, don't use 91 to save money. It can reduce performance and efficiency enough that you end up using more of the cheaper fuel anyway. Match the grade to your car's actual requirement.

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Apply these consistently and your annual fuel spend drops noticeably:

• Fill up Tuesday–Thursday when prices are lowest
• Use GasBuddy or MotorMouth to find the cheapest nearby station
• Collect and use Coles/Woolworths fuel discount vouchers
• Keep tyres inflated to manufacturer spec
• Drive smoothly - accelerate gradually, brake early
• Remove roof racks between uses
• Use the correct fuel grade for your vehicle