Aussies urged to work from home as petrol prices reach eye-watering new highs

Aussies urged to work from home as petrol prices reach eye-watering new highs

With fuel prices rocketing and supplies tightening, the world's energy watchdog is now urging Australians to work from home, as conflict in the Middle East threatens global oil supply.

The International Energy Agency has issued a warning as diesel hits a record three dollars a litre.

In its list of 10 recommendations, the watchdog has also urged Australians to slow down on the roads, avoid air travel and carpool to work or take public transport.

READ MORE: Peter Malinauskas is the favourite going into South Australia's state election but the win might not be that simplePetrol selling for 299.9 cents a litre on March 6, 2026.

This morning, the cheapest petrol in Australia was in Perth, at $2.19 a litre, and Melbourne was the most expensive place to fill up at $2.99 a litre in Hawthorn.

Some petrol stations in Kingsbury in Melbourne's North are charging $3.10 a litre.

The next most expensive petrol in Sydney is in Lewisham, at just over $2.79.

The nation's average is currently sitting at $2.45 a litre with little relief in sight due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

"We need to see the government come out and clearly communicate with the Australian people what fuel supplies we have, and where our future fuel supplies are coming from," Liberal Senator Paul Scarr told Today.

READ MORE: Hollywood action hero Chuck Norris dies after being rushed to hospital in Hawaii, aged 86An Ampol petrol station in Neutral Bay, a favourite for motorists on Sydney's Northern Beaches, has been run dry.

"We need to make sure that diesel flows through to our farmers, and that's really incredibly important to make sure that we get the food on the table and we support all of our productive industries."

In an urgent decision, the ACCC has allowed fuel companies to collaborate and coordinate fuel supply.

"This is part of the government's decisive action to make more fuel available to industry and households and keep fuel flowing to where it's most needed, including the bush," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

READ MORE: Crisis escalates as petrol stations across NSW run out of fuelPetrol prices showing BP petrol station in Clovelly 16th March 2026.

"It's really important that the big players in the fuel markets don't treat this as a chance to disadvantage the independents who play a vital role, including in regional Australia."

The decision will allow fuel companies to exchange and coordinate information surrounding the fuel supply across the country to prevent shortages without breaching competition laws.

However, fuel suppliers are still not allowed to share information or reach agreements on fuel prices.

The call comes as NSW Premier Chris Minns announced yesterday that about 80 petrol stations in the state were without diesel and about 40 had no petrol at all.

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