Frequently Asked Questions

Ampol is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. Our experienced global supply teams have a well-established supply plan in place and are working to source crude for our refinery so that we can make fuel here in Australia as well as import finished product into our import terminals.

The fuel Ampol sells is either refined here in Australia – like at our Lytton refinery in Queensland - or imported as finished product such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Crude oil and finished products are mainly sourced through Asia‑Pacific and global markets.

We know how important it is to have farmers and critical industries in regional Australia well supplied. As of today (late March) we have increased the supply of fuels to our regional channels by over 25% since the conflict started to help with the increase in demand and will continue to prioritise supply for regional areas.

Fuel availability is reported through state-based fuel reporting services, including: 

• NSW/ACT: FuelCheckNSW 
• QLD: RACQ Fuel 
• WA: FuelWatch WA 
• SA: SA Fuel Pricing 
• VIC: ServoSaver 
• TAS: FuelCheck TAS 
• NT: MyFuel NT

Delivery timing can vary by site, and we’re unable to provide exact delivery schedules. Our teams are working to keep sites supplied, however, due to increased demand, some fuel grades may temporarily run out before the next delivery arrives. In the meantime, Fuel availability is reported through state-based fuel reporting services, including: 

• NSW/ACT: FuelCheckNSW 
• QLD: RACQ Fuel 
• WA: FuelWatch WA 
• SA: SA Fuel Pricing 
• VIC: ServoSaver 
• TAS: FuelCheck TAS 
• NT: MyFuel NT

We are experiencing temporary stock shortages at some sites. The current stockout challenge is being driven by a spike in customer demand and a change in purchasing behaviour, which means it is taking time for us to catch up. We will continue to focus on getting fuel out to sites as fast as we can.

Yes. Ampol is engaging with the Federal Government in relation to fuel security planning and response. Our number one priority is working towards all Australians having access to the fuel they need is our number one priority. 

Under the Fuel Security Act 2021, fuel importers and refiners must meet the national Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), requiring minimum reserves of petrol, jet fuel and diesel.

For 2025–26, requirements are:

• Petrol: 24 days (refiners), 27 days (importers)
• Jet fuel: 24 days (refiners), 27 days (importers)
• Diesel: 20 days (refiners), 32 days (importers)

The Minimum Stockholding Obligation – which you might have heard referred to as MSO – is a rule that tells the fuel companies how much fuel they need to hold in Australia.  The changes you may have heard about means the Government is temporarily reducing the Minimum Stockholding Obligation to allow up to 20% of reserve diesel and petrol stocks to be released into the market, increasing fuel availability. Put simply, fuel companies are storing less, so there is more available in the supply chain for you to buy.

The Government has temporarily relaxed petrol sulfur limits for 60 days to increase supply, allowing fuel from Ampol’s Lytton Refinery to be redirected from export to the domestic market and prioritised to areas experiencing the greatest shortages.

Yes. Fuel supplied during this period is consistent with fuel that was used in the Australian as recently as last year. All fuel supplied continues to meet regulatory requirements.

Approximately 20% of global crude and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) flows through the Strait of Hormuz, so any disruption affects global pricing and freight, quickly resulting in tightened physical supply. The fuel that we import from Asia also relies on the Middle East supply of crude so we are experiencing indirect impacts from the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.