Fuel excise discount is gone and Canberra prices now the highest of all capital cities
Canberra residents are facing the highest fuel prices in Australia following the federal government's decision to end the temporary fuel excise discount. While prices are adjusting nationwide, the removal of the subsidy has caused a notable spike in costs for motorists.
Why it matters
The end of cost-of-living subsidies highlights the economic pressure on households as governments transition away from pandemic-era fiscal support.
Prices are on the up: Before and after the excise discount was removed at Manuka (1 August and 3 August). Photos: David Murtagh.
Canberrans are paying the most for fuel of any capital city now that the Federal Government has removed the fuel excise discount.
But it’s a fluid situation, with petrol and diesel prices adjusting around the country to the new ‘back to normal’ structure.
It is expected to take a few days for the full impact of the changes to be felt at the bowser, with prices climbing further at service stations across the nation as the week progresses.
As of Monday morning (3 August), the average price of unleaded petrol in Canberra was $2.10 a litre, with diesel averaging $2.49 a litre.
That compares with Sydney, where motorists pay an average of $1.97 per litre for unleaded and $2.41 per litre for diesel.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in