ATO logo

Latest estimate and trends for the fuel excise gap

Compare the 2023–24 fuel excise gap with trends from previous years.

Published 3 November 2025

For the 2023–24 year we estimate a net gap of 1.8% or $446 million. In other words, we estimate that more than 98% of the 2023–24 theoretical fuel excise has been collected.

This gap forms part of our overall tax performance program. Find out more about the concept of tax gaps and the latest gaps available.

Over the period from 2018–19 to 2023–24, the estimated net fuel excise gap has ranged between 1.3% and 3.9%.

As noted in the Limitations section, the method is dependent upon a number of factors that can lead to changes in the estimate, but do not reflect changes in the underlying compliance. This year's gap estimate is within the margins of variation we expect from this model.

Table 1 shows 2017–18 to 2022–23 data for the:

  • excise and duty reported
  • amendments
  • gross and net fuel excise gap estimates.
Table 1: Fuel excise gap, 2018–19 to 2023–24

Element

2018–19

2019–20

2020–21

2021–22

2022–23

2023–24

Gross gap ($m)

266

618

492

233

812

446

Amendments ($m)

0

0

0

0

0

0

Net gap ($m)

266

618

492

233

812

446

Excise and customs

duty reported ($m)

18,769

18,705

19,461

17,372

19,846

24,417

Theoretical liability ($m)

19,035

19,322

19,952

17,605

20,658

24,863

Gross gap (%)

1.4%

3.2%

2.5%

1.3%

3.9%

1.8%

Net gap (%)

1.4%

3.2%

2.5%

1.3%

3.9%

1.8%

Figure 1: Net fuel excise gap as a percentage, 2018–19 to 2023–24

The gross and net gap in percentage terms as outlined in table 1.

For previously published tax gap figures, see Australian Tax Gaps - Data.gov.auExternal Link 

QC105668