Rising fuel costs continue to influence how Australians live, travel and spend, with new research from YouGov revealing that two in three Australians (65%) have changed their everyday travel behaviour because of higher fuel prices.

While the impact remains widespread, the pressure appears to have eased since April, when 74% reported changing their travel habits. The findings suggest Australians may be moving from an initial reaction phase to an adaptation phase, with fewer people making significant changes to their daily travel routines despite ongoing concerns about fuel affordability.

The data shows that Australians are adapting in a variety of ways, including using public transport more often (29%), reducing activities that require travel (27%), walking more frequently (19%) and working from home more often or cutting back on their commute (16%). 

Others have turned to alternative transport options, including hybrid or electric vehicles (9%), carpooling (9%) and cycling or motorcycling more often (8%).

Despite these changes, a quarter (25%) say they have not altered their behaviour and continue to drive a petrol or diesel vehicle as usual, while 10% report making no changes because they do not drive a petrol or diesel vehicle.

More than half have altered travel plans due to fuel prices

The impact of fuel costs extends beyond everyday travel and into holiday planning, with more than half of Australians (52%) saying they have changed their travel plans for the remainder of the year in response to current fuel prices.

Among those affected, 18% have reduced spending on accommodation, food or activities to offset higher transport costs, while 15% have chosen destinations closer to home or more budget friendly. Travelling with others to share fuel or transport costs has seen a notable increase, rising to 14% from 9% in April. The growth is primarily driven by Gen Z and Millennials, whose participation has increased by 8 percentage points since April (23%, up from 15%).

Notably, 6% have cancelled travel plans entirely. In contrast, one in four Australians (25%) say their travel plans have remained unchanged, up six percentage points since April, suggesting travel plans are beginning to stabilise.

Australians remain divided on the outlook for fuel prices

Looking ahead, Australians are split on what the next 12 months may hold. More than one-third (34%) expect the fuel situation to worsen, including one in five (20%) who believe the impact will be severe and that cost-of-living pressures will continue to spread across most areas of life.

However, sentiment is improving. The proportion expecting conditions to deteriorate has fallen from 45% in April to 34% today. Meanwhile, 36% believe the fuel situation will gradually improve, while 28% expect prices to remain high but stabilise at current levels.

Pessimism is easing, with fewer Australians expecting the fuel situation to worsen and more expecting conditions to stabilise, although optimism about meaningful improvement remains relatively subdued. Younger Australians, particularly Millennials, remain more optimistic than older generations about future fuel affordability.

Interest in EVs remains steady despite easing concerns

While concerns about fuel prices have eased somewhat, interest in electric vehicles remains steady. More than one-third of Australians (35%) say the current fuel situation has made them more likely to consider purchasing an EV, unchanged from April. In contrast, 15% say they are now less likely to consider making the switch.

Support for domestic fuel production and renewable energy continues to grow

Support for increasing Australia's domestic fuel production (69%) and investing in renewable energy sources (58%) has also strengthened since April, rising six and eight percentage points, respectively. This highlights Australians' growing focus on improving energy security and reducing exposure to future fuel price volatility.

Australians fear losing fuel excise relief would increase financial pressure

The prospect of the fuel excise reduction ending next month is a major concern for households. Four in five Australians (80%) say its removal would feel like cost-of-living relief is being taken away from households, while 76% believe it would force them to make trade-offs in everyday spending, including dining out, entertainment and discretionary purchases.

Almost three-quarters (74%) say the end of the fuel excise reduction would make them feel as though they were going backwards financially, highlighting the continued sensitivity of Australian households to fuel costs and their broader impact on household budgets.

Commenting on the study, Catherine Kretzmann, Research Director at YouGov, said: “Australians are beginning to adapt to higher fuel costs. Compared to April, fewer people are changing their travel habits and more expect the fuel situation to stabilise rather than worsen, indicating the initial shock of rising prices may be easing.

Despite easing pessimism, support for electric vehicles, domestic fuel production and renewable energy investment continues to grow, suggesting Australians are increasingly focused on long-term ways to reduce their vulnerability to future fuel price volatility.”

Methodology

YouGov conducted an online survey of 1,034 Australian adults aged 18+ between 4-9 June 2026. The sample is nationally representative of the adult Australian population.

The initial study was conducted between 9th - 13th April 2026, and this wave represents a rerun two months later to assess any changes in Australians’ behaviours and attitudes towards fuel issues.

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