Brisbane has maintained the highest average unleaded fuel prices among Australian capital cities for three consecutive years, according to the RACQ's latest annual report for 2025.
Fuel Price Overview
The report indicated that Brisbane's average regular unleaded fuel price was 185.2 cents per litre (cpl). This compares to Adelaide, which recorded the lowest average over the last three years at 173.8 cpl. While Brisbane remained the most expensive, the average petrol price in 2025 decreased by 9.3 cpl from the record highs observed in 2024.
For diesel, Queensland's capital had the second-highest average price nationally at 189.6 cpl, an improvement from 193.6 cpl in 2024.
Local Price Discrepancies
Within Brisbane, significant price variations were noted. Kuraby recorded the city's lowest average for fuel at 162.8 cpl, while Clayfield registered the highest at 200 cpl. This nearly 40 cpl difference highlights potential savings for motorists who compare prices.
Contributing Factors
RACQ's principal economic and affordability specialist, Ian Jeffreys, identified several reasons for Brisbane's persistent high fuel prices:
- Price Cycles: Brisbane experiences longer price cycles, higher price jumps, and shorter periods of lower prices compared to other capital cities.
- Market Structure: The city has a smaller proportion of independent service stations, making up approximately 20% of the market. Other capitals generally have more independent sites, which often offer lower prices.
- Development Pace: The introduction of new independent petrol stations in Brisbane is slow, hindering a significant impact on average prices.
Call for Intervention
The RACQ has advocated for market regulation to address what it describes as unfair price increases. Ian Jeffreys stated that government intervention and regulation might be necessary given that the current market structure in Brisbane is not serving the best interests of motorists. Discussions are currently underway with the Queensland government regarding potential modeling for such interventions.