Drive.com
MOTORISTS could soon see tighter oversight at the bowser, with a nationwide audit targeting service stations suspected of short-changing customers on fuel.
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) has begun inspecting up to 350 service stations across Australia, focusing on new operators and businesses with a history of non-compliance.
The crackdown comes as petrol prices remain high and supply pressures persist, with authorities aiming to ensure drivers receive the full amount of fuel they pay for.
Under national standards, fuel pumps are allowed a margin of error of plus or minus 0.3 per cent. However, inspectors will go beyond simple volume checks, examining staff training records, maintenance practices and whether bowsers are properly calibrated.
Stations found to be under-delivering fuel could face fines of up to $222,000 per offence.
The NMI said more than 1800 pumps have been audited over the past five years, with about 9.7 per cent found to be in genuine breach.
“Most of the problems found in previous fuel audit programs have been small or technical mistakes,” the agency said in a statement.
“When businesses learn about issues, they usually fix them quickly.”
As part of the latest blitz, fuel samples will also be collected to ensure quality meets required standards.
A provisional report from the audit is expected this week.
