Published | 6 March 2026
RACT is urging Tasmanian motorists to shop around as fuel prices rise in response to the conflict in the Middle East.
RACT General Manager Advocacy and Government Relations, Mel Percival, said petrol prices have been increasing over the past week and in response to global oil prices and increases in the wholesale market.
“Unfortunately, we can expect fuel prices to continue rise over the coming weeks as a result of the Middle East conflict and disruptions to global supply chains,” Ms Percival said.
“We understand that petrol has a big impact on household budgets.
“The most important thing motorists can do is to shop around with the assistance of the RACT Fuel Saver app or the Tasmanian Government’s Fuel Check system.
It is normal to have price differences between outlets, driven by several factors including the location of the outlet, how busy it is and the type of service offered (full driveway service vs non manned fuel stations).
Ms Percival said RACT was keeping an eye on statewide prices for signs of opportunistic pricing.
“We welcome the Federal Government’s direction to the ACCC to closely monitor fuel prices and expect that anyone seeking to exploit the current global situation to take advantage of consumers will be hit with the full force of the law.”
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how long prices will remain elevated, as this is directly related to the severity and duration of the conflict in the Middle East. A general rule of thumb is that for every $10 dollars a barrel of oil increases represents a 10c increase at the bowser.”
Ms Percival urged drivers to be safe on the roads this long weekend.
“Plan your trip, allow plenty of time to get to your destination be courteous to others on the road, particularly at petrol stations, which we expect to be busy.
“Our advice is: don’t panic, shop around. Using the RACT fuel saver app means you are aware of the best prices near you or the cheapest option on the way to where you are going.
“Ensuring your vehicle is properly maintained and that your tyre pressures are correct can lead to a measurable improvement in fuel efficiency.”