About petroleum retail in Australia
Petroleum retail is the sector in which petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are sold to consumers.
The sector is a major contributor to the Australian economy in terms of employment and revenue.
Investment is spread across a wide range of ownership structures that include:
- retail sites owned, operated or franchised by the four refiner/marketers operating in Australia—BP, Caltex, ExxonMobil and Shell
- independent chains—such as 7-Eleven, Gull, Matilda, United and Liberty
- sites owned and operated by individuals or co operatives
- sites owned or operated by supermarkets in alliances with refiner/marketers—Woolworths and Coles.
Australia's retail petroleum industry is constantly evolving, with petroleum retailers confronting major challenges associated with low fuel margins, fluctuating prices, changing business structures and increased competition.
Over the past several years, the petroleum retail industry in Australia has undergone significant structural change with a major expansion in the market share of supermarkets following expansion of Woolworths' retailing activities and the entry of Coles. The market share of the refiner-marketers has declined and specialist retailers have been increasing their exposure to fuel retailing.
More information
For more information about petroleum retail email TransportFuels@ret.gov.au.