NMI Audit Reveals 1 in 10 Petrol Stations in Australia Short-Pouring Fuel

The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is auditing 350 high-risk petrol stations in Australia due to rising complaints about inaccurate fuel dispensing. The audit found that 1 in 10 petrol stations are under-pouring fuel, a figure that has doubled in the past decade. New regulations set to take effect in 2026 will impose fines of $222,000 for each offence, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

Published Mar 23, 2026

The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is conducting an audit of 350 petrol stations across Australia, targeting high-risk sites with a history of complaints. Recent findings indicate that 1 in 10 petrol stations are short-pouring fuel, a significant increase from previous audits.

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The Maximum Permissible Error for fuel pumps is set at plus or minus 0.3 percent, yet the percentage of breaches has risen, with only 9.7% of audits resulting in genuine violations over the past five years. New regulations will impose fines of up to $222,000 per offence starting in 2026. This follows a notable increase in consumer complaints and evidence of inaccurate fuel dispensing.