‘Red flag’ retailers re-inspected as fuel price compliance crackdown levels up
The Minns Labor Government continues to push its statewide fuel transparency compliance blitz with NSW Fair Trading re-inspecting hundreds of service stations suspected of price mismatching.
Over the past two weeks, the regulator has returned to 628 service stations demonstrating ‘red flag’ or ‘abnormal’ behaviour – for example, service stations that have received fines or where NSW Fair Trading has received multiple consumer complaints.
Approximately 70% of fuel retailers NSW Fair Trading has revisited have been in Sydney, surging the total number of inspections to almost 3,000. NSW Fair Trading expects to physically inspect the remaining petrol stations, all of which are in regional and remote locations, in the coming weeks.
As part of this crackdown, NSW Fair Trading issued four fines on 9 April 2026 to a service station in the Penrith area of Sydney after inspectors identified multiple price mismatches between what was displayed on FuelCheck those shown on the site’s price board. This included discrepancies across Unleaded 91, Premium 95, Premium 98 and Premium Diesel.
NSW Fair Trading’s unannounced visits have been reinforced by the rising number of fines issued by field inspectors and Bowser Busters. The Bowser Buster campaign encourages every motorist in the state to report fuel price transparency concerns through FuelCheck, helping to channel NSW Fair Trading’s data and intelligence into desktop compliance activities.
Since 19 March, NSW Fair Trading has issued 98 fines based on field inspections for offences including price mismatches, failures to meet information requirements, and service stations not registered with FuelCheck.
In addition, community-led reporting through Bowser Busters has supported inspectors to issue a further 94 fines since 30 March. Of these, 93 related to price mismatching and one involved a service station not registered with FuelCheck.
With the total number of fines issued by NSW Fair Trading reaching almost 200, this remains a strong signal that the state’s more than five million motorists are now helping NSW Fair Trading double its capacity to identify breaches.
Those who fail to meet their obligations face on-the-spot fines of $1,100, with court penalties of up to $110,000, depending on the offence. If a station has already been fined, they should be particularly vigilant, as NSW Fair Trading may pursue a higher penalty before the Courts for repeated breaches.
With motorists acting as eyes on every street, road and highway in NSW, NSW Fair Trading inspectors can respond quickly to consumer complaints, strengthening compliance, and preventing repeat breaches across the state.
- This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to improving fuel transparency in NSW by:
- Injecting $2.2 million to upgrade and maintain FuelCheck.
- Conducting record numbers of fuel transparency compliance inspections and re-inspections.
- Encouraging consumers to report fuel prices via FuelCheck or the NSW Fair Trading website.
To explore FuelCheck and become a Bowser Buster, please visit: https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“These numbers show that as cost-of-living pressures ramp up, the Minns Labor Government will not back down.
“We are delivering on our promise to ensure transparent fuel prices for the people of NSW.
“And it’s working – re-inspections are deterring service stations from taking motorists for a ride.
“My message to service stations remains clear: do the wrong thing and you will be caught.”
NSW Fair Trading Executive Director of Consumer Affairs Andrew Floro said:
“Accurate pricing isn’t optional. Retailers are legally required to ensure the prices on the app match the prices at the bowser, and we will continue to enforce those obligations.
“These re-inspections are about making sure petrol stations are doing the right thing and that motorists are paying the price displayed at the bowser.
“Reports through Bowser Busters are making a real difference and helping inspectors act quickly to impose fines on petrol stations doing the wrong thing.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where retailers fail to meet their obligations.”