why is fuel so expensive right now

Short answer: crude’s up, the Aussie dollar’s down, and the middlemen aren’t charities.

Australian pump prices track global oil (Brent), so when OPEC+ trims supply or geopolitics gets spicy, the wholesale price rises. We import most refined fuel, and when the AUD sags against the USD, every litre costs more before it even reaches a servo. Add roughly 50c/L in fuel excise plus 10% GST on top, then distribution, retail margins, and—like it or not—the capital city price cycle that can swing 15–40c/L.

Want to pay less? Buy during the down-phase of the cycle, use a fuel app, and aim for E10 if your car’s happy with it; the savings beat shouting at the bowser. It’s not a conspiracy; it’s a grim cocktail of global markets, currency, and timing.