Australia has paid more than twice as much as any other nation in additional diesel import costs during the global fuel crisis, with a report putting the toll at $9 billion over six months.
The added cost equates to $324 for every Australian, exceeding the bills incurred by Brazil, South Africa, France and the UK.
The Climate Council released the figures from its energy security scorecard on Wednesday, which also found Australia paid an extra $1.6 billion for petrol imports.
The findings come days after oil prices reached a six-month high amid escalating threats in the Middle East.
The council’s report, called Crude Awakening, analysed Australia’s energy security, its exposure to rising global fuel prices, and policies and progress towards electric transport and renewable energy.
It found Australia was the world’s largest seaborne importer of diesel, with imports responsible for 90 per cent of its supply.
Diesel use in Australia had also more than doubled since 2000 to 33 billion litres in 2025, with about a quarter used in mining.
Australia paid $9 billion in additional costs to import diesel between March and August, compared to an extra $3.5 billion in Brazil and $3 billion in the UK.
The nation also paid an additional $1.6 billion for petrol, or $56 per person.
Climate Council spokeswoman and economist Nicki Hutley said those costs had a widespread impact.
“We’re seeing costs (rise) right through the economy, whether it’s in inflation at the supermarket or all the way through the supply chain,” she told AAP.
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