ALRTA wants the Federal Government to keep relief in place until 31 August
Rural freight operators face a double hit from 3 August 2026, with the heavy vehicle road user charge rising to 32.4 cents a litre as diesel costs surge across regional Australia.
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association wants the Federal Government to keep the charge at 16.4 cents a litre until 31 August 2026.
If relief ends on 2 August 2026, the higher charge will add $64 for every 400 litres of diesel used. ALRTA says that increase will lift the cost of moving livestock, grain, feed and food.
Australian Institute of Petroleum figures show regional diesel averaged 220.7 cents a litre in the week ending 26 July 2026. That was 18.6 cents higher than a week earlier.
Meanwhile, the national wholesale diesel price jumped from 191.0 cents to 210.2 cents in one week. The Northern Territory recorded the highest regional average at 269.4 cents a litre.
AIP diesel figures
Gerard Johnson, ALRTA president, said many regional operators already pay more than $2.20 a litre, while remote communities pay even more.
“Regional transport operators are already paying more than $2.20 a litre in many areas, and much more in remote communities,” Mr Johnson said.
The Government cut the road user charge to zero from April to June 2026. It then set the rate at 16.4 cents a litre for July 2026 before scheduling the return to 32.4 cents from 3 August 2026.
According to ALRTA, fuel market pressure increased after the ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed, tightening global oil supply and pushing up Australian diesel prices.
ALRTA modelling estimates agriculture-linked road freight uses between 1.5 billion and 2.5 billion litres of diesel each year. At that volume, any fuel increase adds costs quickly across the sector.
Mr Johnson said the higher charge could squeeze rural carriers just as diesel prices spike. He warned that some runs can shift from viable to loss-making after an increase of this size.
“The Government should keep the road user charge at 16.4 cents until 31 August. Operators need that decision before Monday’s increase takes effect,” Mr Johnson said.
ALRTA also argues the issue reaches beyond trucking firms because rural carriers link farms with processors, supermarkets and Australian families.
