Record petrol prices are likely to head even higher and motorists should get used to paying more than $2 a litre as global oil prices continue to climb, further complicating the fight to tame persistently high inflation.

Pump prices hit fresh average highs in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in the past two weeks and as Brent crude oil prices edge closer to $US100 a barrel, industry sources say eye-watering prices could linger until the end of the year at least.