Dozens of petrol stations across Australia have run out of fuel as panic buying continues.
Panic buying leaves petrol stations dry across Australia
Supply disruptions and surging demand have left some towns without petrol or diesel, with regional communities facing the greatest strain. Drivers queuing at empty stations have sparked concern that shortages could ripple through local economies and daily life.
In New South Wales, 32 of roughly 3,000 service stations were reported out of at least one type of fuel, the state government said. Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that the state has sufficient fuel overall but warned that sudden spikes in demand make restocking challenging.
He said: “It’s harder to restock those petrol stations if they’ve got more than expected out of the bowser on any given day.”
Brett Hosking, president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, highlighted towns such as Wedderburn, Victoria and Robinvale, Victoria had run dry, leaving residents and seasonal workers struggling to access fuel for commuting, farming, and daily chores.
The federal government has released part of its fuel stockpile to prioritise regional communities, though it has ruled out rationing.
In Western Australia, two stations in Manjimup also dried up. Donelle Buegge, the local shire president, said independent stations were struggling more than major brands such as BP, leaving smaller towns vulnerable.
Peter Khoury, spokesperson for the NRMA, explained retail petrol prices are near record highs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
He said: “We are now in a permanent high point … in those three cities.”
Farmers and rural communities are feeling the strain. Xavier Martin, president of NSW Farmers, warned that diesel shortages threaten food production, while Stuart King, mayor of Swan Hill, said seasonal workers in Robinvale, Victoria are struggling to reach farms.
King added that the shortages are affecting community wellbeing, with some residents reducing travel, delaying trips to visit family, and cutting back on recreational activities due to rising fuel costs.
He described the situation as a cumulative stress on regional life that could linger if supply and demand remain imbalanced.