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ARTICLE · 27 MARCH 2026

Australia Doubles Antitrust Penalties Amid Fuel Price Crackdown

Jones Day
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On 11 March 2026, the Australian Treasurer, jointly with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Assistant Minister for Competition, announced a package of measures to address fuel pricing and supply concerns. The announcement follows significant volatility in global oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East.

AustraliaAntitrust/Competition Law
Matthew Bull
Matthew Bull
Steven Fleming
Steven Fleming
Dan Howard
Dan Howard
Annie Leeks
Annie Leeks
Katie E. Mead
Katie E. Mead
Prudence Smith
Prudence Smith
Liam Brodrick
Liam Brodrick
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The Australian government has announced its intention to double maximum penalties for anticompetitive conduct and enhance Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ("ACCC") fuel price surveillance.

On 11 March 2026, the Australian Treasurer, jointly with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Assistant Minister for Competition, announced a package of measures to address fuel pricing and supply concerns. The announcement follows significant volatility in global oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East.

The government's announcement comprises three core elements:

  • Doubling of maximum penalties: The government will double maximum penalties under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) for false or misleading conduct and cartel conduct, raising the cap to A$100 million (about $70 million USD) per offence. This follows a 2022 increase to A$50 million (about $35 million USD), itself five times the previous maximum. Other penalty caps of: three times the

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