Petrol stations that rip off customers face fines of up to $220,000 during a national fuel audit this week.
The National Measurement Institute is conducting a nationwide audit of fuel pumps to make sure customers get what they pay for.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources said inspectors will visit up to 350 fuel sites throughout March “to make sure they are following Australia’s strict measurement laws”.
“It is important Australians feel confident they are getting what they pay for at the petrol bowser,” she said.
The institute is responsible for making sure businesses don’t rip off customers who purchase measurable quantities of goods including petrol, beer, or fruit and vegetables.
Its audit comes in a crisis period for motorists as fuel prices rise following conflict in the Middle East.
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And Aussie drivers have taken to social media with allegations of being short-changed by service stations.
A popular video posted to TikTok by “theaustraliankanga” last week showed a man revisiting his local service station after it reportedly charged him for more than 30 litres of fuel poured into a 20 litre container.
He then bought 10 litres of fuel in a follow-up experiment, and reportedly poured it into measuring jugs that showed only 7.2 litres of fuel had been delivered.
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“That’s not f — ing 10 litres,” he said.
“It was about 7.2 litres. They ripped me off.”
The video attracted hundreds of comments from people who felt that “we are all being screwed”.
People said that “many have been doing this for years”.
“They all do it. I’ve gone to 3 servos and put 20L in a Jerry can and it’s 17.5/18L,” one person said.
“I have a 60L tank in my car and I can some how get 70L in it,” said another.
This was not an isolated experience.
“My 80 litre car tank which just hit reserve filled 92 litres, when I told staff they were like, just call the helpline,” said one person.
“My bf filled up a 10L Jerry can before the price hike … it came to 15L … when he questioned them they said ‘it’s a new pump. It works fine’,” another agreed.
A report on the NMI website says it makes sure fuel dispensers are accurate, approved and follow national standard.
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The institute states that “if an inspector catches a retail fuel site giving customers less fuel than they paid for, fines of up to $222,000 can be imposed for each offence”.
“Over the past 5 years, inspectors have responded to consumer complaints by conducting more than 1,800 audits,” it said.
“Of these, just 9.7 per cent were genuine breaches. This reinforces the value of targeted inspections and ongoing engagement with industry.”
This month’s audit, which could include up to 5 per cent of service stations in Australia, will target
“high-risk and new traders”, especially those that have been subject to complaints in the past.
People concerned about trade measurement can contact the National Measurement Institute on 1300 686 664 or email infotm@measurement.gov.au.
