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Under national fuel standards, the supply of leaded petrol (i.e. containing more than 0.005 grams per litre of lead in any grade) has been prohibited since 1 January 2002. The national standards also set restrictions on the levels of various power boosting substances (ethanol, MTBE and DIPE) that can be blended with fuel.
Varying refining techniques can also result in composition changes that boost the power of fuel. These techniques increase the levels of olefins and benzene in the fuel, both of which are limited in the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) and the Fuel Standard (Petrol) Determination 2001 (the Petrol Determination).
It is against the law to supply fuels that are not compliant with the Determination for use in motor vehicles. The Act also makes it an offence to alter fuel to take it outside the specifications of a standard except in the following specified circumstances.
The Commonwealth legislation has various offence provisions in relation to breaches of the Act and penalties can be substantial. For example, individuals face a maximum penalty of $55,000 for altering or supplying fuel that does not comply with a fuel standard.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources has recently renewed an approval to allow the supply of avgas and leaded racing fuels to some users.
A limited number of motor and water sport organisations (listed below) have been renewed approval to issue, to their eligible members, Leaded Fuel Passbooks. In deciding whether or not a member is eligible, the approved motor and water sport organisations assess whether the fuel is to be used for legitimate motor sport activities. Individuals issued with a Leaded Fuel Passbook may purchase avgas or specialist racing fuel from fuel suppliers who have been included in the approval.
On presentation of a Leaded Fuel Passbook to an authorised fuel supplier listed in the approval, avgas or specialist racing fuel may be supplied. The fuel supplier is required to enter these supplies in the Leaded Fuel Passbook and are limited to supplying a maximum of 200 litres every seven days, per Passbook holder. This maximum amount may be reached by being supplied in numerous smaller quantities. When there is no more room for fuel supplies to be entered into the Leaded Fuel Passbook, it should be returned to the organisation from which it was issued. A replacement Leaded Fuel Passbook may be issued.
The Leaded Fuel Passbooks are individually numbered and contain conditions of use that must be read before accepting its issue. Conditions may vary according to the different type of vehicles. If an individual has been issued with a Leaded Fuel Passbook and ceases to remain a member of the issuing organisation, the passbook will need to be promptly returned.
The Leaded Fuel Passbooks are valid until 31 December 2008 after which time a simplified, long-term management arrangement is expected to be implemented.
These organisations and clubs affiliated with the below organisations may issue Fuel Passbooks to their 'eligible members':
Race engine builders and dyno-tuners who need to purchase leaded fuel
Race engine builders or tuners should contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts directly in relation to being issued with a Leaded Fuel Passbook.