Inspectors from South Australia's consumer watchdog will be out in force this week, ensuring service stations are complying with the state's real time petrol price monitoring scheme.
Under the scheme, service stations are required to update any price or availability changes within 30 minutes to a central database, to ensure real-time price monitoring apps have accurate, up-to-date information.
Service stations found in breach could face immediate fines of up to $550, or penalties of up to $10,000 if the matter goes before the court - with the Malinauskas Government introducing reforms to State Parliament that would see expiation notices increase to up to $5,000, with court-imposed penalties increased to up to $20,000.
Over the coming week, inspectors from Consumer and Business Services will be carrying out more than 200 inspections across metropolitan and regional areas – including suburban Adelaide, the West Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, the Riverland and the Limestone Coast.
The RAA estimates a typical SA driver using real-time fuel pricing is likely to save around $117 a year, based on typical fuel consumption, resulting in an annual total savings of approximately $58 million across the state.
To report a service station believed to be in breach, or download a real-time price monitoring app, visit https://cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/find-the-cheapest-fuel
As put by Michael Brown
Getting the best price at the pump is about knowing where to look. Real-time apps bring South Australians the cheapest petrol at their fingertips.
Since the Middle East conflict began this year, we have investigated nearly 400 complaints and 800 inspections at South Australian service stations, resulting in 22 fines totalling over $12,000 and 18 written warnings.
The Malinauskas Government is cracking down. We are doubling our compliance officers and raising fines to $5,000 per offence.
This blitz is a clear warning to service station operators: do the right thing or face the consequences.
