The State Government is working closely with the Australian Government and industry to support a coordinated national approach to fuel security and distribution impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.
While global factors may influence fuel markets, measures are in place to help manage potential impacts in 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
The 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has issued orders to the fuel industry to share information on their fuel supply chains, using emergency powers under Section 43 of the , effective from 2 April 2026.
These powers have been issued because of:
- the global disruption caused by the war in the Middle East, which is affecting the distribution of fuel across the State.
- the shortages of fuel in regional communities, particularly in the agriculture sector and smaller mining companies caused by these challenges.
This will ensure fuel suppliers and distributors provide timely information to the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to improve end-to-end visibility of the fuel supply chain, helping distribute fuel to where it’s needed most.
This is a targeted measure to support fuel supply coordination and information sharing. This measure is being taken following inconsistent sharing of information to support state coordination.
It’s important to note that these emergency powers are specific and limited to the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act, which is not the same as State of Emergency under the Emergency Management Act.
Fuel Security Roundtable
On 11 March 2026, the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ convened a Fuel Security Roundtable to gain insights from fuel industry representatives and key sectors on the potential impacts of conflict in the Middle East. The Fuel Security Roundtable will help policymakers understand the situation on the ground and inform 91¶ÌÊÓƵ's response to any potential disruptions. Discussions will also feed into our ongoing engagement with the Federal Government.
The 91¶ÌÊÓƵ was assured during the roundtable that supply to WA is continuing to arrive uninterrupted.
Following the roundtable, government and industry agreed to a seven-point plan, outlined below, which has been actioned:
- State Government to investigate prioritising fuel and fertiliser imports through ports.
- Working with fuel providers to respond to the needs of regional WA with timely restocking.
- Industry will explore the use of higher efficiency vehicles or road trains to support the delivery of fuel to the regions.
- Fuel retailers will take immediate measures to address excessive stockpiling.
- State Government will convene an Industry Operational Group, which will meet weekly to manage specific domestic supply chain issues as they arise.
- State Government will continue working closely with industry to raise WA’s priorities with the Federal Government.
- Industry and government will coordinate on public messaging to reassure 91¶ÌÊÓƵns that supply is continuing to arrive in WA.
An Industry Operating Group will meet weekly to manage emerging supply issues, while government continues advocating WA’s priorities nationally.
WA Liquid Fuel Resupply Plan
On 13 March 2026, the National Security Subcommittee of Cabinet endorsed the release of up to 20% of Australia’s petrol and diesel reserves to help manage localised supply disruption. 
To help this, the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has developed a prioritisation framework to ensure that Minimum Stockholding Obligations (MSO) stock released into WA is supplied to regional customers experiencing supply shortages.
You can read more about the resupply plan here: WA Liquid Fuel Resupply Plan - Minimum Stockholding Obligations Drawdown Prioritisation and Triage
Industry Support Working Group
An Industry Support Working Group (ISWG) is in place, to develop targeted measures to support local businesses, strengthen our supply chain resilience, and reduce pressure on 91¶ÌÊÓƵn households.
Fuel Industry Operations Group
The Fuel Industry Operations Group (FIOG) is operational, with government and industry representatives meeting regularly to share information on fuel supply conditions and consider areas of prioritisation where required.
Following FIOG meetings, a summary of key outcomes will be shared on this page below.
For updates on WA’s fuel supply, including how you can keep yourself and the community informed visit 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Fuel Security page.
FIOG Communique 1 April 2026
Show moreThe 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has announced it will issue orders to the fuel industry to share information on their fuel supply chains, using emergency powers under the Fuel Energy and Power Resources Act. This will provide more visibility and ensure fuel is sent where it’s needed most.
The State Controller is focused on working with fuel companies and distributors over the Easter period to ensure adequate fuel supply. Data from FuelWatch will be used to direct top-ups as required.
Fuel companies remain confident that April fuel shipments will arrive as planned. Appropriate procedures are now in place to avoid a repeat of the over-lifting experienced in March.
The Goldfields, Great Southern and South West remain a focus for the Fuel Industry Operations Group.
FIOG Communique 30 March 2026
Show moreThe 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has adopted the National Fuel Security Plan agreed to at National Cabinet. Details of the plan can be found here:
Currently, all states and territories, including WA, sit at Level 2 on the National Plan. This means precautionary measures are being taken to shore up fuel supply and encourage 91¶ÌÊÓƵns to only buy the fuel they need.
Any shift in level of the National Plan will be signalled by the National Cabinet in consultation with industry and other sectors.
The State Controller advised that over the weekend, Atlas Fuels agreed to provide up to 5 million litres to distributors and locations struggling to access fuel. Delivery is currently underway. Increases in fuel availability to key regional distributors is continuing from other fuel companies.
Fuel companies are confident April fuel shipments remain on track, and they will be able to provide all contracted volumes to their distributors. National stockpile (MSO) volumes will continue to be distributed in additional to general supply.
Suppliers and distributors committed to sensible measures to avoid end user customers lifting significantly above their usual or contracted volumes.
FIOG Communique 25 March 2026
Show moreWith some national stockpile (MSO) volumes now flowing in 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, the State Controller advised that an emerging supply chain bottleneck is the availability of transport. The State Controller is working with fuel companies and distributors on transport options, including expanding rail capacity on the Kalgoorlie and Esperance lines.
The Government is continuing its planning and preparation for potential escalation.
Key actions
- The Government will monitor the impact of Cyclone Narelle on fuel shipments and keep the FIOG informed.
- Department of Transport will investigate whether lime and lime-sand can be added to the uplifted transport allowances for fuel and fertiliser.
- The State Controller will work with fuel companies and distributors to identify the fastest way to transport MSO volumes to areas of critical need.
FIOG Communique 23 March 2026
Show moreThe primary focus of the FIOG and the State Controller remains on getting fuel to areas of acute need in the regions, with the focus on the Goldfields, Great Southern, Mid-West and South-West. Additional volumes are now flowing to major fuel distributors.
The State and Commonwealth are advancing plans for escalation, if required.
On the weekend, the Commonwealth Minister for Energy stated that six out of eighty-one scheduled shipments to Australia had been delayed or cancelled. None of those six were destined for 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
FIOG Communique 20 March 2026
Show moreThe National Energy Ministers met today and will continue to meet weekly. Across Australia more than 100% of usual volumes of fuel are flowing. This indicates that MSO volumes are being distributed.
The Commonwealth remains confident in international fuel supplies.
The State Government has appointed a Fuel Security State Controller to work with the new State Management Team. The State Controller will work closely with Federal Fuel Supply Coordinator who was appointed this week.
The State Controller has already engaged fuel distributers operating across key regions to get greater clarity on how to best resolve bottlenecks and localised supply pressures.
FIOG Communique 18 March 2026
Show moreThe Minimum Stock Obligation (MSO) legislative instrument has been finalised and published. Fuel companies advised that their MSO release plans have now been approved by the Commonwealth. ACCC authorisation is pending.
In anticipation of ACCC approval, fuel companies have contacted distributors to determine their availability to transport MSO fuel to key regional areas. Distributors are reporting that trucking capacity is not a constraint.
National Cabinet is meeting tomorrow. There is a National Energy Minister's meeting on Friday. The FIOG will meet again on 20 March.
FIOG Communique 16 March 2026
Show moreDEED is finalising the prioritisation triage process by close of business in consultation with FIOG members.
Fuel companies are working with the State and Commonwealth to finalise authorisations required for the release of Minimum Supply Obligation (MSO) volumes. Authorisation is expected in the coming days.
The FIOG has identified key freight and logistic bottlenecks and opportunities that will inform plans for the distribution of the MSO volumes when available.
FIOG Communique 14 March 2026
Show moreDEED provided an update on recent action taken by the Federal Government to relax the Minimum Stock Obligation rules, which will allow the release of up to 762 million litres of petrol and diesel from Australia’s domestic reserves. The release is intended to ease fuel constraints in regional areas.
DEED has established a dedicated team that will gather intelligence to assist with triaging the distribution of fuel supplies. They will work closely with WA fuel companies to ensure fuel gets to where it is needed.
The Department of Transport provided an update on measures that will be taken to allow an uplift on road freight tonnage. This will allow trucks to carry extra fuel and fertilisers to the regions. Work continues on improving rail freight efficiency on the Kalgoorlie line.
The Premier and the Prime Minister had a conversation about ongoing domestic fuel supply, logistics challenges, and the need to ensure adequate volumes are getting where they are needed in 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
Key Actions
- The Government will progress the triage process in consultation with the FIOG
- The Government will implement efficiency measures to allow B-double road trains to carry heavier loads
- FIOG members and industry peak bodies to provide specific intelligence to DEED to assist with the triage process
Representatives reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the security of WA’s fuel supply.
FIOG Communique 13 March 2026
Show moreDEED provided an update on recent action taken by the Federal Government to make available an additional 100 million litres of higher-sulphur fuel per week for two months.
DEED also provided information on potential the WA Hazard Management Plan and emergency measures, should they be required.
The Department of Transport provided an update on Port prioritisation and fuel shipment arrivals, all shipments expected to arrive, up to seven shipments are expected in the next 7 days.
Government, unions and fuel transport companies are meeting today to identify bottlenecks and agree where triple road trains can be safely used to deliver fuel to the regions.
It was agreed that Kalgoorlie, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and South West should be the initial focus of the FIOG.
Key Actions
- The Government will seek urgent information from the Federal Government on the 100 million litres of higher-sulphur fuel
- The Coordinator of Energy will engage with key fuel suppliers on pragmatic steps to ease fuel distribution system constraints in priority regional areas
- DoT will investigate rail freight efficiences to assist with fuel delivery to Kalgoorlie
Representatives agreed to continue to work cooperatively to keep WA's fuel supply secure.
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