Australia's Fuel Crisis: 500 Petrol Stations Run Out of Stock

Australia’s energy resilience is at a critical point after more than 500 public fuel stations (SPBU) across the country reported running out of stock. This Australian fuel crisis has triggered a wave of panic buying from residents worried about a national transport shutdown.

According to the latest data as of March 2026, the state of New South Wales has been the hardest hit, with hundreds of refuelling points reporting shortages of petrol and diesel. This crisis is a direct result of the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, which has caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for 20% of the global oil supply.

Australia’s Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, confirmed that while national stocks theoretically suffice for 30 to 38 days, distribution bottlenecks and a sudden surge in demand have drained supplies at the retail level. In some areas, petrol prices have surged to 238 Australian cents per litre, while diesel has exceeded 262 Australian cents per litre. Converted, this increase exceeds 35% compared to the previous month in Indonesian Rupiah.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has scheduled an emergency national cabinet meeting for next Monday to discuss mitigation measures, including potential work-from-home policies to curb fuel consumption. The government has also released part of its emergency oil reserves to maintain stability in the most affected regional areas.

Several petrol station operators are now imposing purchase limits of a maximum of 200 Australian dollars per vehicle to ensure remaining stocks are distributed evenly. Experts warn that if the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues until April, Australia may have to face a national fuel rationing scenario.