The State Government is working closely with the Australian Government and industry to support a coordinated national approach to fuel security and distribution impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.
While global factors may influence fuel markets, measures are in place to help manage potential impacts in Western Australia.
Weekly fuel update
As of 12:00pm, 27 March 2026
Achievements
- State Management team in place and State Fuel Security Controller appointed to engage directly with major fuel importers and WA suppliers.
- Agreed triage process for prioritisation implemented by the Fuel Industry Operation Group to ensure the release of domestic fuel reserves get to where it is needed most.
- Significantly more fuel released into the market this week by large WA suppliers – with BP operating at 174% of their previous March average and AMPOL at 164%.
- Some smaller regional fuel distributors servicing areas of acute need identified with work underway to develop solutions with either their usual suppliers or alternatives.
- Great Southern Fuels is now distributing additional volumes from last week to address key pressure points for grain farmers.
- Enhanced FuelWatch reporting on stock levels, making it easier for consumers to identify stockouts and providing the WA Government with better real time intelligence on supply and distribution issues.
Challenges being addressed
- Some independent distributors continue to receive reduced fuel allocations.
- Large suppliers have not given clear enough visibility of their supply chains, making it difficult to identify the source behind pressures faced by these independent distributors.
- The Goldfields, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions are the most impacted areas.
- While suppliers have indicated they are confident in the number of fuel shipments for April, we need more visibility on potential distribution challenges over coming months.
- The Premier has provided fuel suppliers notice to comply with all WA Government information requests, noting the State’s ability to compel supply chain information sharing using emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972, at Red Alert (Level 3) of the State Hazard Plan.
Fuel security preparedness
To focus on preparedness and strengthen coordination, a Fuel Security State Controller has been appointed. This role is supported by a State Management Team made up of public sector leaders to help maintain reliable access to fuel across the State.
The WA Government has identified a Seven-point plan:
- State Government will investigate prioritising fuel and fertiliser imports through ports.
- Working with fuel providers to respond to the needs of regional WA with timely restocking.
- Industry will explore the use of higher efficiency vehicles or road trains to support the delivery of fuel to the regions.
- Fuel retailers will take immediate measures to address excessive stockpiling.
- State Government will convene an Industry Operational Group, which will meet weekly to manage specific domestic supply chain issues as they arise.
- State Government will continue working closely with industry to raise WA’s priorities with the Federal Government.
- Industry and government will coordinate on public messaging to reassure Western Australians that supply is continuing to arrive in WA.
The State Hazard Plan for Energy Supply Disruption explains how Western Australia prepares for and manages major impacts to the supply of gas, liquid fuel and electricity.
Western Australia currently sits at 'Yellow Alert (Level 1)' of the alert warning system for energy disruption, which calls for close collaboration between industry and government.
At Yellow Alert (Level 1) there may be small, short‑term impacts on people’s daily routines, essential services, wellbeing, or the local economy. These effects are minor, and core services continue to operate normally.
