Brisbane motorists are being charged more on average for Unleaded 91 than any other major capital, according to new research from Compare the Market’s upcoming 2025 Household Budget Barometer.

The findings come as thousands of families across Queensland are set to hit the open road for the school holidays.

Between 1 August 2024 and 1 August 2025, Brisbane motorists were charged an average of 185.14 cents per litre for Unleaded 91 – ahead of the national average of 179.44 cents per litre.

Based on Compare the Market’s tracking, the average across the 12-month reporting period places Brisbane ahead of Sydney (181.35 cents/litre), Melbourne (181.18 cents/litre), Perth (176.17 cents/litre) and Adelaide (173.29 cents/litre).

However, new findings from Compare the Market’s upcoming 2025 Household Budget Barometer show that while fuel prices remain the highest in Queensland, motorists across the state are spending less on average than in many parts of the country.

The average Queenslander spends $238.76 on fuel every month – around 2.4% less than the national average of $244.70 and less than Victoria ($362.51 per month), Western Australia ($245.09 per month) and New South Wales ($242.88 per month).*

Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said the latest findings show that Queenslanders are becoming savvier when it comes to filling up for less.

“While it’s disheartening to see that Brisbane motorists are paying some of the highest prices on average for Unleaded 91 in Australia, our latest findings show that Queensland drivers are becoming pros at filling up for less,” Mr Ford said.

“Motorists are using fuel comparison apps and driving a street or two away to fill up where costs are lower. Drivers may also be wising up to the fuel pricing cycles, where prices start at a low point then rise sharply. Cycles typically last around five to six weeks in Brisbane and drivers tend to notice the biggest difference in prices at the start of a cycle, when prices begin to climb.

“Of course, the 50-cent cap on public transport in Queensland may also be playing a role, with some people opting to catch a bus, train or ferry to work and leaving the car at home.”

As of 17 September, the city-wide average for Unleaded 91 in Greater Brisbane was $1.93/litre, but differences vary across the city. The cheapest price is $1.56/litre, while the high point is hovering around $2.13 per litre.

“There’s currently a 57-cent difference between the cheapest and most expensive fuel prices in Greater Brisbane right now,” Mr Ford said. “If you’re filling up a 50-litre tank, that’s a difference of $28.50. It’s quite substantial.”

The city-wide average has been slowly increasing since last Tuesday, where the average was $1.72 before it started to climb. The new high price point for Unleaded 91 is $2.13/litre

“Every day we’re seeing that city-wide average increase, so now’s the time to fill up when you see cheaper prices,” Mr Ford said.

“We encourage motorists to continue using fuel comparison apps to search for places to fill up for less. An extra $28.50 each time you fill up can go a long way if you’re entertaining kids over the holidays.”

Other ways that Australians can save

• Use fuel comparison apps like Compare the Market’s Simples Fuel App to compare fuel prices in your area and look for a better price near you.

• Consider taking advantage of fuel deals that are available through the major supermarkets, roadside assistance programs and even energy companies to cut costs at the bowser.
• Don’t be loyal to one service station. Vote with your wallet and fill up for less when you see cheaper prices.

*Survey of 3,006 Australian adults, conducted August 2025 as part of Compare the Market’s 2025 Household Budget Barometer.

For more information, please contact:  

Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]

Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.