NSW Cracks Down on Misleading Fuel Prices
Summary
NSW Fair Trading is conducting a statewide compliance blitz to ensure fuel retailers report prices accurately on the FuelCheck app. Retailers face on-the-spot fines of $1,100 or court penalties up to $110,000 for non-compliance.
What changed
The New South Wales (NSW) government, through NSW Fair Trading, has launched a statewide compliance blitz targeting fuel retailers to enhance price transparency and prevent misleading pricing practices. This initiative mandates that fuel retailers register with and report real-time price changes to the FuelCheck platform, ensuring displayed prices match those charged at the bowser. The government is increasing compliance activity, with over 190 inspections already conducted and 13 penalty infringement notices issued.
Fuel retailers are legally required to comply with these reporting obligations. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties, including on-the-spot fines of $1,100 for individuals and court-imposed penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations. Consumers are encouraged to report any price discrepancies observed between the FuelCheck app and the bowser price to NSW Fair Trading, aiding enforcement efforts.
What to do next
- Ensure fuel prices are reported accurately and in real-time to FuelCheck.
- Verify that displayed prices match the price charged at the bowser.
- Register with FuelCheck if not already done.
Penalties
On-the-spot fines of $1,100 for individuals, or Court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.
Source document (simplified)
NSW cracks down on misleading fuel prices with statewide compliance blitz
Published: 20 March 2026 Released by: Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Listen The Minns Labor Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to strengthen fuel price transparency and protect motorists from misleading pricing.
At a time when families are feeling every dollar, the Minns Labor Government is stepping in to ensure fuel retailers do the right thing and that motorists are not misled when filling up. When it comes to the cost-of-living, this Government is clear: transparency, accountability and fairness matter.
FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state. It puts power back in the hands of consumers by exposing price hikes, ending guesswork at the bowser and driving greater competition across the market.
The tool has seen a rise in downloads, from 25,000 in February 2026, to almost one million downloads in March 2026. To date, the FuelCheck app has also had 6.1 million visits from returning customers. This is a substantial increase from the 2.7 million total customer count recorded in February. The app allows consumers to compare prices, track price cycles, save favourite stations and receive price-drop alerts before filling up.
At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable, retailers agreed to use FuelCheck to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel. FuelCheck will then hide these retailers from the platform so customers have certainty there is availability from providers on the app.
Under NSW law, fuel retailers must:
- Register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time
- Ensure displayed prices match the price charged at the bowser Retailers who break the rules face serious consequences, including on-the-spot fine of $1,100, or Court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.
NSW Fair Trading is currently conducting unannounced inspections of fuel retailers across metropolitan and regional area. Inspectors have already carried out over 190 service station inspections across the state, issuing 13 penalty infringement notices.
NSW Fair Trading continues to work closely with the ACCC, including by sharing data, to uphold strong consumer protection standards.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“With fuel prices putting real pressure on households in NSW, the Minns Labor Government is stepping up to make sure motorists aren’t being ripped off at the bowser.
“This compliance blitz sends a clear message: misleading motorists will not be tolerated.
“We’re using every tool available, including FuelCheck and tough enforcement, to back motorists and support families when it matters most.”
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:
“It’s the law for fuel retailers to register and correctly report their prices through FuelCheck, so motorists can have confidence.
“NSW Fair Trading is significantly increasing its compliance activity to make sure motorists get accurate price information every time they fill up.
“If consumers see a price mismatch between FuelCheck and the bowser, they should report it via the app or website to NSW Fair Trading.”
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