Fuel excise in Australia: 53.7 c/L since 3 August 2026
Rates checked 5 Oct 2026 · national average, week ending
- To 31 Mar 2026
- 52.6
- 1 Apr 2026
- 20.6
- 1 Jul 2026
- 36.6
- 3 Aug 2026 →
- 53.7
- GST in a litre at the average
- 21.6
- Excise in every litre
- 53.7
- Tax share of the pump price
- 32%
- Tax in a 60-litre fill
- $45.16
- Most a litre fell, Apr–Jun (incl. GST)
Every litre of petrol or diesel sold in Australia carries 53.7 cents of fuel excise, the rate in force since 3 August 2026, plus GST of one-eleventh of the pump price. At this week's national average of 237.3 c/L that is 21.6 cents of GST and 75.3 cents of tax in all, about 32% of the price.
The calculator does the same sum for any price and any tank. Excise is a flat amount per litre, so it is the GST share that grows when prices climb.
Work out the tax in your tank
The 2026 timeline
| From | To | Excise c/L | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 52.6 | Rate after the February 2026 indexation (start date not checked here) | Dept of Infrastructure fact sheet, 1 Apr 2026; ABC News, 2 Apr 2026 |
| 1 April 2026 | 30 June 2026 | 20.6 | Cut by 32.0 c/L: 26.3 federal halving plus 5.7 funded by the states | Dept of Infrastructure fact sheet, 1 Apr 2026; ABC News, 2 Apr 2026 |
| 1 July 2026 | 2 August 2026 | 36.6 | Relief halved to 16.0 c/L for one more month | Dept of Infrastructure fact sheet, 1 Jul 2026 |
| 3 August 2026 | now | 53.7 | Full rate back with August CPI indexation (factor 1.020) | ABC News, 2 Aug 2026, citing the ATO |
2026 was the first year since 2022 that excise was cut. Canberra halved it from 1 April, the states and territories chipped in another 5.7 cents from their extra GST revenue, and the rate fell from 52.6 to 20.6 c/L. From 1 July the relief was halved (36.6 c/L), and at midnight on 2 August it ended; August's CPI indexation took the full rate to 53.7.
Excise is indexed twice a year, in February and August. The next change is due in early February 2027; the exact rate depends on the December-quarter CPI and is not yet published.
Both steps show up in the terminal gate series; the price history since 2004 has them month by month next to the 2022 spike.
Did the cut reach the bowser?
A cut only helps if it reaches the bowser. The table sets each step, grossed up for GST, against what the national terminal gate price and Perth's daily median (the only open daily retail series) did between the day before and a week later. The steps were 1 April 2026: −35.2; 1 July 2026: +17.6; 3 August 2026: +18.8 c/L. Oil and refining margins were moving at the same time, so the gap between the step and the change is the market, not proof that a cut was kept.
| Change on | New rate | Step incl. GST | National TGP, 1 week | Perth bowser, 1 week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | 20.6 | −35.2 | −23.5 | −22.0 |
| 1 July 2026 | 36.6 | +17.6 | +16.0 | +22.0 |
| 3 August 2026 | 53.7 | +18.8 | +9.6 | +6.1 |
Where the rest of the litre goes
Take the national terminal gate price (232.8 c/L) from the pump average and what is left, about 4.5 cents, pays for trucking from the terminal, the site, the card fees and the retailer's margin. The terminal price itself holds the refinery or import cost, shipping, the wholesaler's margin, excise and GST.
Asked at the counter
What is the fuel excise rate now?
53.7 cents per litre for petrol and diesel since 3 August 2026, plus GST on top.
When did the fuel excise cut end?
At midnight on 2 August 2026. It ran at 20.6 c/L from 1 April to 30 June and 36.6 c/L from 1 July to 2 August.
How much tax is in a litre of petrol?
At 237.3 c/L: 53.7 c of excise and 21.6 c of GST, 75.3 c in total.
When does excise go up next?
Excise is indexed to CPI in February and August; the next step is due in early February 2027.