The Federal Government has moved to keep steady pressure on fuel companies by extending the ACCC’s petrol price monitoring program for another five years. The direction, which was due to expire this month, will allow the regulator to continue tracking trends, reporting on behaviour in the market and highlighting issues that shape what motorists pay.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers framed the decision as a practical step during a period when households remain highly sensitive to everyday costs. “This is about making sure consumers get a better deal at the bowser through better competition and the ACCC’s quarterly reports play an important role in that.”
The latest report released today offered some encouragement for motorists. Average retail prices across the five largest cities were lower than in 2024 and the gap between metropolitan and regional prices narrowed. Officials believe these patterns reinforce the value of keeping the monitoring program active, particularly as fuel markets shift and the mix of vehicles on the road changes.
Dr Andrew Leigh, who oversees productivity and competition policy, said the direction will keep the ACCC focused on behaviour that affects households directly. “We’re extending it because we’re determined to make sure the regulator can keep a close eye on the price of fuel and make sure the fuel market is operating as it should.”
The ACCC has been reporting on issues ranging from market composition and price cycles to industry performance and the growing use of fuel price apps and websites. The September quarter report included an update on vehicle trends, showing that 9.7 per cent of new vehicles sold were battery electric, and when plug-in hybrids are included, low-emission models accounted for 13.8 per cent of sales for the quarter. Registrations of battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles have risen sharply since the Government took office, a shift ministers say is lowering fuel costs for more households over time.
The move follows the Government’s recent 40 million dollar investment in charging infrastructure, part of a broader effort to help drivers transition to more efficient vehicles while easing pressure at the bowser.
Chalmers said the reports are valuable for both Government and consumers. “These reports help consumers and Government better understand the industry and ensure greater accountability.”
He added that the Government has strengthened the ACCC’s enforcement powers to address wrongdoing. “We’ve consistently backed the ACCC by ensuring they have the right tools to take on companies ripping off consumers, including increasing penalties for corporations engaging in anti competitive behaviour from 10 million dollars to 50 million dollars.”
With the extension now confirmed, the fuel industry remains under clear scrutiny. The Government argues that continued reporting helps ensure pricing reflects real market conditions and that motorists are not misled about what drives movements at the pump.
The quarterly data paints a mixed but steadying picture. From September 2024 to September 2025, average prices fell in all five major capitals, with Adelaide recording the largest drop at just over 3 per cent, followed by Perth and Sydney. Melbourne and Brisbane saw more modest falls.
For a Government under pressure to respond to cost-of-living concerns, keeping close watch on one of the most visible weekly expenses is seen as an important step, even as broader economic shifts continue to shape household budgets.
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