Real Time Fuel Pricing in Full Swing

DINI SOULIO, COMMISSIONER FOR CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

A scheme to deliver real time petrol pricing to South Australians commenced on 19 March 2021. Fuel price apps now have more up-to-date and accurate information as petrol stations are required to report their fuel prices to a central database.

Any time a petrol station changes the price at the pump, they must report the new price within 30 minutes to a central database. Fuel price apps can then display the new price to motorists.

See the list of fuel price apps that have signed up under the SA Government’s fuel price reporting trial here.

Petrol stations must also report if a fuel type is unavailable − either temporarily or permanently.

Since the scheme commenced, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has been monitoring fuel retailers to ensure they’re complying with the requirements of the scheme. During the first two months of the scheme, two fuel retailers were each fined $550 for failing to register for the scheme, and 13 notice letters were sent to retailers for failing to

update their fuel prices within the required time or not updating their prices at all, or for failing to indicate fuel is unavailable. CBS is continuing to monitor these retailers to ensure they are complying with the scheme. The maximum penalty for breaching fuel price reporting requirements is $10,000.

In addition to the proactive checks of fuel retailers, CBS received 127 complaints from members of the public about fuel retailers during the first two months of the scheme’s operation. If the price at the bowser doesn’t match the price on a fuel price app, or if data about a particular fuel type is missing on an app, motorists can report this to CBS. The online reporting form is available via www.cbs.sa.gov.au/contact.

While the intent of mandatory reporting of prices is not to lower fuel prices, the big benefit for motorists is that they can easily find where the cheapest price is now. Fuel price apps must provide this information to the public for free.

The type of fuel price information scheme that is in operation in SA is similar to the model that has been running in Queensland over the past couple of years. The State Government determined that this scheme will deliver the most net benefits to motorists, following a report by the South Australian Productivity Commission (SAPC) on the options for increasing transparency in fuel prices in SA. The SAPC consulted with the Motor Trade Association of South Australia in developing their report, along with other motoring and fuel organisations.

The fuel price reporting scheme will run as a trial for two years. As part of the trial, a number of factors will be monitored to determine the extent of the overall benefit for South Australians. Fuel prices will continue to be affected by external factors such as overseas and local market forces, however the scheme can assist SA motorists by ensuring they have access to comprehensive fuel price information that is more accurate and transparent.

For more information about fuel pricing visit www.sa.gov.au/fuelprices