Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

THE NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing.

At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel.

FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state.

The app allows consumers to compare prices, track price cycles, save favourite stations and receive price-drop alerts before filling up.

Under NSW law, fuel retailers must:

● Register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time

● Ensure displayed prices match the price charged at the bowser.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said, “It’s the law for fuel retailers to register and correctly report their prices through FuelCheck, so motorists can have confidence.

“NSW Fair Trading is significantly increasing its compliance activity to make sure motorists get accurate price information every time they fill up.

“If consumers see a price mismatch between FuelCheck and the bowser, they should report it via the app or website to NSW Fair Trading.”

Retailers who break the rules face on-the-spot fines of $1,100, or Court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.

To ensure compliance, NSW Fair Trading is currently conducting unannounced inspections of fuel retailers across metropolitan and regional areas.

Inspectors have already carried out over 190 service station inspections across the state, issuing 13 penalty infringement notices.

NSW Fair Trading continues to work closely with the ACCC, including by sharing data, to uphold strong consumer protection standards.