PersonalBusiness
About the NRMAFuel pricesSupportAccessibilityAccessibility
NRMA Roadside, Travel and Rewards
  • About the NRMA
  • Fuel prices
  • Support
  • Accessibility
About the NRMA
Media
Press releases
2021 press releases
Sydney petrol prices highest since COVID

Sydney petrol prices highest since COVID

Sydney motorists are seeing some of the highest fuel prices since January 2020 as average prices continue to soar.
A row of petrol pumps in a bowserA row of petrol pumps in a bowser
8 January, 2021
Written by  
The NRMA

Across Sydney, average prices for regular unleaded reached 164.7 cents per litre over the last week with prices at major service stations as high as 175.9 CPL.

Singapore Mogas – Australia’s international benchmark price – has continued to rise steadily to almost $US90 a barrel. Sydney’s Terminal Gate Price has reached a twenty one month high of 137.7 CPL.

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said the steady rise came as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continued to choke supply, artificially inflating global oil prices at a time when demand for oil was recovering globally.

“These high prices are hitting our essential workers the hardest as they are still traveling to work every day, along with families going out to get groceries. These high prices are hurting at a time when the community needs relief the most,” Mr Khoury said.

“It is hospital and home care nurses, local tradies, and grocery store cashiers who rely on their cars to get to work safely paying the price for these high fuel prices.”

Despite Sydney seeing the highest prices in over a year, drivers have so far been spared record breaking prices of 172.6 CPL in Brisbane earlier this week.

Mr Khoury said if prices continues to increase, the average Sydney regular unleaded fuel price could jump to 170 CPL by October this year; the highest average fuel prices in over a decade.

“The last time average fuel prices in Sydney metro reached this high was just before the start of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008,” Mr Khoury said.

“The gap between the cheapest and most expensive service stations in Sydney is currently 46 CPL so the NRMA is encouraging motorists to do their research before filling up, with the price of every service station in NSW available in real-time on the My NRMA app.

“If you can hold off, customers can expect to see some relief at the bowser towards the end of the month with prices expected to fall close to 140 CPL at the low point of the cycle.

Average prices in major Australian cities today are:

 

Sydney  160.2 Canberra 150.6
Melbourne 159.6 Perth 165.7 
Brisbane  172.1 Darwin 146.9
Adelaide 136.4 Hobart 149.9

Share this article
facebook
twitter-x
linkedin
Pinterest
Whatsapp
Email
Help
Support
Manage my account
Renew membership
Request roadside assistance
Products and services
Membership
Roadside assistance
Car battery replacement
Car insurance
Roadside assistance for business
Electric vehicle charging
Driving lessons
Travel insurance
International driving permit
Quick links
Join My NRMA Rewards
Find offers and discounts
My NRMA app
Cars and driving
Buying a car
Fuel finder
Trip planner
SIXT Car and Truck Rental
NRMA Parks and Resorts
My NRMA Rewards
Travel and holidays
Food and dining
Automotive
Experiences and attractions
Shopping and lifestyle
Cashback
Open Road
About us
Who we are
Our community impact
Careers
Media
Download the app
download on the apple store
Get it on google play
Sitemap
General conditions
Privacy policy
Cookie policy
Facebook
Instagram
x.com
youtube
linkedin
©️2026 National Roads and Motorists’ Association Limited. ABN 77 000 010 506.