23/03/2026
Temporary Return of Higher-Sulfur Petrol (“Dirty Fuel”)
The Australian Government has temporarily amended Australia’s fuel quality standards, allowing petrol with higher sulfur to be sold domestically for a short period. This decision has attracted public attention and some concern, particularly around potential vehicle impacts. It is important to note however, that the effect of the temporary amendment is to return Australia’s fuel quality standards to what applied prior to 15 December 2025, when stringent new petrol standards were introduced.
What’s happening?
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has approved a temporary easing of petrol sulfur limits through the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2026. A link to the Determination is available here.
This allows petrol from Ampol’s Lytton refinery (Brisbane) to be sold in Australia rather than exported.
The measure is designed to support fuel supply, ease distribution pressure, and stabilise prices during a period of increased demand.
Under this measure, petrol sold in Australia may contain up to 50 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur until 31 May 2026 – an increase from the 10 ppm that was introduced from 15 December 2025.
At present, the sulfur content is scheduled to reduce to 40 ppm from 1 June 2026 and return to 10 ppm from 1 September 2026.
What does “dirty fuel” mean?
In this context, “dirty fuel” refers to petrol with higher concentration of sulfur, not fuel that is contaminated or unsafe.
The temporary change to 50 ppm is the same sulfur level that was legally allowed in Australia prior to 15 December 2025 for premium unleaded petrol.
The petrol is not being modified or adulterated – it is being redirected from export markets to the Australian market.
Will this damage vehicles?
As the change simply restores the sulfur level permitted in Australia prior to 15 December 2025 for a short-term period, no harm or damage to vehicles is expected.
Key points:
The higher-sulfur petrol is the same fuel many vehicles were using as recently as December last year.
It will often be blended with lower-sulfur petrol, further reducing any impact.
Modern vehicles are designed to tolerate some variation in fuel sulfur content, and any sulfur-related deposits formed during short-term use are minimal and often burn off over time.
This is a temporary fuel supply measure, to address the increased demand for fuel during this period.
The fuel meets government-approved standards and contains the same sulfur level as applied in Australia prior to 15 December 2025, when stringent new petrol standards were introduced.
The fuel is prioritised to areas that are at risk of fuel shortages, as well as regional areas serviced by independent retailers.
Australia’s cleaner fuel standards – introduced in December 2025 – remain in place long-term.
