Several fuel brands in Australia are Australian-owned, with prominent examples including United Petroleum, Ampol, Liberty Oil, and some operations under Viva Energy (like Coles Express), plus smaller regional suppliers such as Riordan Fuels and Park Fuels, providing consumers with choices for locally owned options beyond major global brands.
Yes, Ampol is an independent, Australian-owned company, listed on the ASX, that supplies the largest branded fuel and convenience network in Australia, having transitioned from the Caltex brand back to its iconic original name in 2020. While it has international interests, its core operations and ownership remain Australian.
No, Shell is not Australian owned; it's a British multinational company, Shell plc, but its Australian operations (Shell Australia) are a subsidiary, and its retail fuel business in Australia is run by the Australian-listed company Viva Energy under license, which acquired Shell's downstream assets in 2014. Shell plc still operates in Australia in upstream gas/energy but partners with Viva Energy for the familiar petrol stations.
Chevron – one of the world's leading integrated energy companies – owns the Caltex brand and has been present in Australia for more than 70 years.
Red Energy is 100% Australian, owned by Snowy Hydro, a leader in renewable energy and is a proud partner of Vail Resorts Australia.
Key Australian-owned fuel companies include Ampol, a major player in transport fuels, along with independent networks like United Petroleum, Liberty Oil, Metro Petroleum, Woodham Petroleum, and Atlas Fuel, often focusing on competitive pricing and supporting local communities, while large international brands like Shell (Viva Energy) and BP still operate significantly in Australia.
Australia maintains its total ban on imports from Russia of oil and refined petroleum. Australia will also impose targeted sanctions on a further 95 Russian 'shadow fleet' vessels.
Viva Energy is backed by the Vitol Group, a prominent independent energy trader, and has exclusive rights to supply Shell-branded products in Australia, maintaining a network of over a thousand service stations across the country.
There's no single "best" petrol brand in Australia, as all fuels must meet strict government quality standards, but premium fuels from major brands like BP, Shell, and Ampol (Caltex) often contain detergent additives that keep engines cleaner, with many drivers favoring BP Ultimate or Shell V-Power for performance, though basic fuel quality is largely the same across brands. The main difference lies in these proprietary additives, not the base fuel, which comes from similar sources, so your choice depends on your car's needs and your budget, with premium fuel offering potential benefits for performance engines.
Snowy Energy | 100% Australian-owned renewable energy.
Shell plc is a British multinational oil and gas company, headquartered in London, England. Shell is a public limited company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and secondary listings on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange.
Neither Shell nor BP petrol is definitively "better"; both offer high-quality fuel with unique additive packages, with some users preferring BP for its perceived cleaning power (especially V-Power), while others find Shell's additives superior for engine cleanliness, though official differences are minimal beyond brand-specific formulas, and the most important factor for your car is using the correct octane rating (e.g., 91, 95, 98).
Yes, Coles is an Australian-owned company, listed on the ASX as Coles Group (COL), though it was formerly part of the Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers, and its shares are held by various investors, including large global funds. Founded in Victoria in 1914, Coles remains an iconic Australian retailer with its headquarters in Melbourne.
Australia, although not a direct importer of Iranian oil, is not immune to global price shifts. Domestic fuel prices, linked to international benchmarks such as Brent crude oil, are expected to rise, impacting sectors such as agriculture, logistics, aviation, and construction.
Coke was imported to Australia from the United States in the early 1900s and in 1938 The Coca‑Cola Company began production locally.
The seven sisters were the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (later Exxon), the Standard Oil Company of New York (Socony, later Mobil, which eventually merged with Exxon), the Standard Oil Company of California (Socal, later renamed Chevron), the Texas Oil Company (later renamed Texaco), Gulf Oil (which later merged ...
Which petrol brand is best? Reputable brands like Indian Oil (XP95), Bharat Petroleum (Speed 97), and HP (Power 99) offer high-quality fuel with additives that improve engine performance and fuel efficiency.
In 2022, Australia's conventional oil resources are estimated as 8,045 PJ (1,408 MMbbl) of proven and probable (2P) reserves and 12,826 PJ (2,229 MMbbl) of contingent (2C) resources. At 2022 production rates, this is equivalent to less than 12 years of remaining conventional oil reserves.
Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves—but history, costs, and political risk raise questions about whether U.S. oil companies are ready to invest. Tapping into Venezuela's oil reserves has been floated as a promise by the Trump administration.
AGL. Listed on the ASX and majority-owned by Australian investors. Technically not fully Australian-owned due to international shareholding, but Australian in origin.
Here's a list of all Australian-owned energy companies:
Which Premium Petrol is Best? An Ode to High-Octane