Motoring issues simplified
Our explainers cover important motoring topics, making complex issues easy to understand.
Road safety ratings explained
The Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) is a globally recognised risk-rating system designed by the International Road Assessment Program (iRAP).
It helps identify safety upgrades that will reduce road deaths and injuries.
AusRAP ratings show where the risk of fatal or serious injury is greatest across the road network. Roads rated as five-star are the safest, while one-star roads present the greatest risks.
Each additional star rating halves the risk of deaths or serious injuries. Upgrading a road from two stars to three stars halves the number of serious crashes likely to occur.
What is fuel excise and much do you pay?
Fuel excise is a flat sales tax levied by the Australian Government on petrol and diesel bought at the bowser. The current rate is 50.6 cents in excise for every litre of fuel purchased.
The rate of fuel excise is adjusted in February and August each year in line with inflation and is in addition to the GST.
For a typical household, this year’s fuel excise bill will be $1,283.
Over the past decade (up until 2022-23), only 57% of fuel excise has been re-invested in land transport projects. The AAA is asking that every cent of fuel excise be re-invested into land transport infrastructure.
Fuel Excise Explained
