When you’re filling up at the bowser, you generally don’t think twice about paying for your fuel inside the petrol station after you’ve finished.
While Australian drivers are accustomed to the normal driving etiquette, you might be surprised to know that paying for fuel after you’ve filled up isn’t the standard in other countries, as this US tourist found out.
Taking to the social media platform TikTok, user russflipswhips was baffled at how Australia's fuel payment system works.
In the 50-second video titled ‘they have major trust here’, russflipswhips explained, “You guys trust people to fill up their car and then come in and pay [after] like an honour system”.
“I’m blown away that people in Australia don’t steal gas, this is just a mind-blowing concept. Like what’s wrong with us in America that we can’t adapt concepts like this,” he added.
Other TikTok users shared their own experiences with the traditional payment system, with one commenter stating, “Me forgetting to pay, returning a few hours later when I realised and the lady going [sic] ‘we watched you – it was clear you just forgot. We knew you’d be back’”.
However, some commenters explained that the etiquette has more to do with Australia’s strict petrol theft laws as opposed to the cultural mateship that we’ve become synonymous with.
“Police will literally show up at your door the next day if you drive away without paying. They have your registration crystal clear on CCTV,” one user added.
How do police know when you've stolen petrol?
Most petrol stations in Australia are equipped with high-resolution CCTV and/or surveillance security cameras to detect any wrongdoing on their premises. This means that alleged offenders and their vehicles can be recorded on video, making it easier for authorities to track down thieves.
Generally speaking, if a driver is alleged to have stolen petrol from a station, state and territory police urge employees to contact their local precinct and file a fuel theft report.
What's the fine for stealing fuel at a petrol station in Australia?
While there are no specific fuel theft rules across all Australian states and territories, stealing from a petrol station can still land offenders in prison or incur thousands of dollars in fines.
In New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory, offenders found guilty of stealing petrol can be issued a maximum 10-year prison sentence for breaking state laws.
Guilty Queenslanders caught driving off without paying for fuel can be served a minimum five-year imprisonment sentence.
Meanwhile, in South Australia, guilty offenders charged with a basic theft offence can be penalised with five years in jail, while "aggravated" theft offences carry a more severe 15-year imprisonment sentence.
In Western Australia, motorists caught stealing fuel can land themselves in prison for seven years, while guilty drivers in Tasmania can be issued a maximum fine of $20,200 or a one-year imprisonment sentence.
Finally, theft offences committed in the Australian Capital Territory can lead to a maximum penalty of $160,000 and/or 10 years in prison.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
