If you’ve ever grumbled at the petrol pump, you’re certainly not alone—most Aussies have felt the sting of rising fuel prices, especially in recent years.

But here’s a twist: while we’re busy clutching our wallets, British expats living Down Under are left gobsmacked for a very different reason.

To them, our fuel prices are a downright bargain!


Let’s set the scene. For many of us, filling up the car is a weekly ritual that can make a serious dent in the household budget.

But when British expat Steff Littleford, now calling Perth home, saw the price at her local servo, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Taking to social media, Steff shared her shock: ‘Things that absolutely shock me in Australia. Petrol—76p. Tell me why in the UK it’s like £1.40, £1.50 (about $2.70 to $2.90 AUD). 76 f***ing pence a litre in Australia (around $1.45 AUD). Mental.’


She’s not alone. Another UK expat, Josie, echoed the sentiment, calling it one of the ‘biggest shocks’ about moving to Australia. ‘Fuel here is cheap compared to the UK. The average fuel price in Australia is around $1.60 [a litre].

In the UK, when you convert it to Australian dollars, it comes out at $2.90. That’s basically what you pay here in super remote regional areas.’


It’s not just expats who are noticing the difference. Paul Maric, founder of CarExpert.com.au, recently toured the UK in a high-powered BMW and was floored by the prices at the pump.

He snapped a photo of a bowser showing £1.81 per litre—about A$3.76! ‘I was shocked at how much Britons pay for fuel compared to Australian.

People in Australia jump up and down about the cost of fuel, but in reality, we pay barely anything compared to the UK,’ he said.

And it’s not just petrol. Even charging an electric vehicle (EV) is pricier in the UK. Paul noted, ‘Charging an EV in the UK is outrageously expensive compared to Australia. We paid £0.49/kWh for a slower charger and £0.79/kWh for a fast charger (about $0.95 to $1.55 AUD). We pay about half that in Australia to charge an EV on public charging infrastructure.

So, why the massive difference? According to NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury, it all comes down to taxes and timing.

‘Australians pay less tax on fuel than Europeans and Kiwis—but more than Americans. That’s a big factor,’ he explained.

Plus, Australia’s unique fuel price cycle means prices can swing dramatically from week to week. If you’re lucky enough to fill up at the bottom of the cycle, you’ll get a much better deal than at the peak.

At the time of writing, the wholesale fuel price in Australia sits at 159.6 cents per litre, with Sydney enjoying a dip near the bottom of the price cycle.

But Khoury warns that comparing London’s prices to Australia’s lowest point can be misleading.

‘We have price cycles, and when we're at the top of the cycle, that gap's going to be a lot smaller. But if it's comparing it to the bottom of the cycle, it's a lot bigger.’

Despite the international comparisons, the reality is that many Aussies are still struggling to keep up with the cost of living, especially when fuel prices spike.

‘We know that there are [people struggling]—especially when they’re filling up at the top of the cycle,’ Khoury said.

It’s easy to feel hard done by when you see the numbers ticking up at the pump, but a little global perspective can help.

In the UK, high fuel taxes and a weaker currency mean motorists pay a premium.

In Australia, while we do pay more than our American friends (who enjoy some of the world’s lowest fuel taxes), we’re still getting a better deal than most Europeans.

Let’s not forget that our vast distances and reliance on cars make affordable fuel even more important for many Aussies, especially those in regional and remote areas.


Have you noticed a big difference in fuel prices when travelling overseas? Do you have any tips for saving at the pump? Or maybe you remember the days when petrol was just a few cents a litre—share your stories and advice in the comments below.

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