Australia faces surge in fuel theft as petrol nears $3/litre, supply crisis spurs rationing calls and conservation push

Fuel theft is surging across Australia as petrol prices approach $3 per litre, with police probing incidents in Victoria and trucking operators warning of overnight siphoning in Queensland, amid deepening supply pressures from a Middle East-linked oil crisis and growing calls for nationwide fuel rationing.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incidents.

After multiple streets in Kyneton, central Victoria, were targeted by fuel thieves between Friday and yesterday, Victoria Police have launched an investigation into the incidents.


According to 9News website, police said it is believed unknown offenders tampered with the fuel cap covers of vehicles parked along Wedge and Powlett streets between 5pm on Friday and 8am yesterday.

Truck drivers across rural Queensland are being urged to lock their fuel tanks following reports of overnight thefts, with fuel siphoned from vehicles as drivers slept.

In a Facebook post, a spokesperson for Ambrose Haulage Pty Ltd said: "With the rising cost of fuel across Australia, unfortunately we all know what tends to follow… opportunistic theft.”

"One of our drivers had a very close call overnight at Moonie with someone attempting to access the truck.

Rising fuel prices and regional shortages have intensified calls for stricter rationing measures nationwide.

According to 9News website, Barnaby Joyce said the time had come to ramp up fuel conservation efforts as existing supplies continue to be depleted.

He said the crisis is now entering a “second iteration,” noting that the oil used at the outset had already been extracted from the Middle East.

"So we weren't having to contend with the closure of the Strait of Hormoz. It's actually going to become more difficult."

With petrol supplies expected to run dry by the end of April, the International Energy Agency has urged Australians to work from home or use public transport to conserve fuel.