The 2026 research undertaken by Survey Matters was conducted against the most volatile market conditions since the study began in 2015. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in late February, average retail petrol prices reached 219.7 cents per litre in March.
The shock was felt across Australia. Against this backdrop, the 2026 research reveals an industry at a significant inflection point.
The fuel crisis has hardened price discipline
Consumers experienced the fuel crisis first and foremost as a cost-of-living shock. More than half of fuel consumers (55%) drove less often, while 23% increased their use of public transport. Around one in seven cancelled holidays (16%) or work and social plans (14%).
Fuel purchasing has become increasingly tactical. Forty-four per cent now fill their tank when prices appear lower, a quarter rely more heavily on fuel price apps and signage, and one in five switch between service stations more frequently to manage costs.
Price remains the dominant factor in deciding where to buy fuel, cited by 53%, while use of fuel price apps has reached 44%.
Loyalty remains relatively stable. One in five consumers (21%) always uses the same service station, while 67% rotate between a few regular sites. Price is the leading driver of loyalty at 34%, while loyalty programs have declined in influence from 20% in 2024 to 13%, as rewards struggle to compete with price pressure.
Fuel security is now a consumer concern
There is strong support for action: 44% back increased domestic refining, 40% support greater fuel storage, and 39% support larger national reserves. Four in five consumers believe government should fund increased storage capacity, and 54% would pay more per litre for greater supply certainty.
Consumer concerns about the fuel crisis are led by affordability. Forty five percent (45%) rank rising prices as their single biggest concern about fuel and 82% place it in their top three.
Consumers views on the best response are to increase domestic refining capacity (44%), support more domestic fuel storage (40%) and create larger national fuel reserves (39%). Four in five consumers (80%) agree the government should fund an increase in fuel storage capacity, among the strongest consensus results in the Monitor, and 54% would pay at least something extra per litre for greater supply certainty.
The EV transition is real, but uneven and gradual
In 2026, most consumers (53%) find electric or hybrid vehicles more attractive than petrol and diesel cars. But interest is conditional. Intentions for the next purchase still favour petrol (57% likely) and hybrids (50%) over full EVs (39%).
Barriers to adoption are practical, not ideological, with up-front cost (40%), battery life (36%) and charging access (28%) the main concerns.
Convenience remains resilient, but value matters
Convenience retailing remains resilient but increasingly value driven.
While 22% of consumers now add convenience purchases when buying fuel (up from 20%), price is the dominant barrier at a record 79%. Concerns about range (25%) and product quality (14%) are also rising.
Purchase frequency has softened, with 46% buying convenience items often or always, down from 58%.
Convenience-only visits have fallen to 34%, particularly among younger and inner-city consumers. Cold drinks (37%), coffee (33%) and snacks (29%) remain the key drivers.
Despite this, a premium opportunity exists: 47% are willing to pay more for convenience, mainly to save time. Preferences are split between quality (49%) and price (51%), with quality stronger among younger and urban consumers.
Consumers are also calling for greater variety and more grocery-style offerings (32%).
Trust is improving – and transparency is key
Encouragingly, trust in the sector is recovering. Importantly, 51% now view fuel and convenience retailers positively, up from 39% in 2024. Trust in retailers acting in the community’s interest has risen from 38% to 46%.
Customer experience fundamentals remain strong, and while retail offerings are still the weakest element, they are improving.
The clearest message is transparency. Forty-five per cent of consumers say transparent pricing would most improve trust in the industry, ahead of any other measure.
An industry at an inflection point
The 2026 Monitor shows an industry shaped by disruption but also opportunity.
The fuel crisis has intensified price sensitivity and elevated fuel security into a mainstream concern, with strong public backing for domestic resilience measures.
Convenience remains an important part of the offer, but success will depend on delivering value, range and quality in a highly price-conscious environment.
And as trust rebuilds, transparency stands out as the most powerful lever available to strengthen the industry’s long-term social licence in an increasingly scrutinised market.
The Reports
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2026
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2024
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2022
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2019
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2017
ACAPMA National Monitor of Consumer Attitudes Report 2015
ACAPMA
