why is petrol expensive

Petrol’s pricey because a bunch of unhelpful forces are holding hands and singing Kumbaya over your wallet.

The big ones: global crude prices (thanks, OPEC+ cuts and geopolitics), a wobbly AUD vs USD that makes oil dearer, and refinery/wholesale margins that aren’t shy.

Then add Australia’s fuel taxes—roughly ~49c/L fuel excise plus 10% GST on the lot—and the bill starts doing burpees.

Capital cities also run on competitive price cycles, so one day it’s bargain chips, the next it’s caviar.

If you must fight back: buy mid‑cycle, use fuel apps, and keep tyres inflated—thrilling, I know, but it beats donating extra to the servo sausage roll fund.