Top money saving hacks as petrol prices soar

A money expert shares her tips for saving money at the bowser once the fuel excise cut is over.

With the temporary 22.1 cent fuel excise cut set to end next week, amid a growing cost of living crisis, planning ahead could save you at the next petrol pump.

It was a price reduction saving motorist roughly $15 when filling a 60-litre tank of unleaded fuel when prices had reached an all time high of 216.5 cents a litre in Sydney and 212.5 cents in Melbourne.

The government is saying the price relief won’t be back — although the ACCC will be on alert to ensure service stations are giving consumers a fair go.

Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot to be done about it, but Finder money expert Sarah Megginson says there are two tricks that could help you save money at the bowser.

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Petrol prices will soon be rising again as Australia hits a cost of living crisis.

1. Research before you fill up

“If you’ve ever filled up the car and then driven past a service station 10 minutes away with a much cheaper price, you’ll know it pays to shop around.

“Luckily, there are plenty of apps that do the legwork for you.”

She suggests either government apps – like the NSW Fuel Check app or WA’s FuelWatch – or independent apps like “MotorMouth and FuelPrice Australia, plus some options through existing apps for brands, including NRMA and 7-Eleven”.

Personally, I like using Google Maps as most petrol stations display their prices when you do a general search.

2. Get in quick

This option should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: plan ahead and fill up before the price cut ends.

“Many Australians are dreading filling up at the pump and, with the fuel excise set to end in a week, now is the time to grab cheaper fuel while it’s still available,” Megginson said.

“You definitely don’t want to wake up in the morning when the excise returns to normal with an empty tank,” she said.

“Plan ahead and fill up now while you can, ahead of the September 29 changeover.”