Built in Melbourne during the 2026 fuel crisis
Fuel Sentinel is a live fuel availability map for Victoria, Australia. It tracks over 1,600 petrol stations across the state, showing which have fuel, which have limits or rationing in place, and which have run dry.
During a normal week, knowing the cheapest fuel price matters. During a fuel crisis, the only thing that matters is whether the station has fuel at all. That's the problem Fuel Sentinel solves.
Fuel Sentinel combines two data sources to give the most accurate picture of fuel availability across Victoria:
Victorian Government Fair Fuel API — Under Victoria's mandatory fuel price reporting laws (in effect since August 2025), all fuel retailers must report their prices to the government. Fuel Sentinel is an approved consumer of this data. When a station stops reporting or shows anomalies, it may indicate a fuel outage.
Community reports — Anyone can submit a fuel status report directly from the map. If you've just been to a station and seen long queues, rationing, or empty pumps, you can report it in 10 seconds. Reports are reviewed before being applied to the map to ensure accuracy.
The combination of official government data and real-world community reports gives a more complete and timely picture than either source alone.
In early 2026, conflict in the Middle East disrupted global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Australia, which imports around 90% of its fuel, was hit with shortages, panic buying, and hundreds of stations running dry — particularly in regional Victoria.
Existing fuel apps like PetrolSpy and the government's Servo Saver show fuel prices, but none of them could tell you whether a station actually had fuel. Fuel Sentinel was built to fill that gap — a simple, live map that answers the only question that matters during a crisis: where can I actually get fuel right now?
The live map is free for everyone. Sentinel+ ($4.99/month) unlocks additional features for people who need more:
Live fuel prices per station, route planning to the nearest station with confirmed fuel availability, an ad-free experience, and priority updates. Sentinel+ helps fund the ongoing operation of the service and keeps the free tier available for everyone.
We're building a version of Fuel Sentinel specifically for fleet operators, trucking companies, and logistics businesses. If your vehicles depend on knowing where diesel is available, join the early access list.
Fuel availability data is sourced from the Victorian Government's Fair Fuel Open Data API, operated by Service Victoria, combined with community-submitted reports. Government price data is published with a 24-hour delay. Community reports may not always be accurate and are reviewed before being applied. Station status can change rapidly, especially during fuel shortage events.
Fuel Sentinel is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Victorian Government or Service Victoria.
Map data is provided by OpenStreetMap contributors under the Open Database Licence.
Fuel Sentinel is operated as a sole trader business in Victoria, Australia.
For questions, feedback, media enquiries, or fleet partnerships: support@fuelsentinel.com.au
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