Building safer communities

Petrol Sniffing Strategy
Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program
History of the Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program

Petrol Sniffing Strategy

The Australian Government's Petrol Sniffing Strategy (Eight Point Plan) was launched in 2005 to address the problem of petrol sniffing in regional and remote areas. The eight points are:

1. consistent legislation
2. appropriate levels of policing
3. the rollout of low aromatic fuel
4. alternative activities for young people
5. treatment and respite facilities
6. communication and education strategies
7. strengthening and supporting communities
8. evaluation

The strategy is managed through the:

• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Attorney-General's Department
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• Department of Health and Ageing Back to top

Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program

The Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program contributes to the whole of government approach to prevent petrol sniffing in regional and remote Australian communities.
The Department of Health and Ageing manages the program and undertakes specific activities which include:

• subsidised low aromatic fuel to specific regions
• communication activities and information on petrol sniffing and low aromatic fuel
• advice on treatment and rehabilitation services for petrol sniffers
• collecting data
• program evaluation Back to top

History of the Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program

Prior to February 2005, the Department of Health and Ageing managed the Comgas Scheme to address the problem of petrol sniffing in regional and remote Indigenous communities.

The scheme replaced regular unleaded petrol with Avgas, an aviation fuel low in aromatic content that did not provide a 'high' when sniffed.

In 2004, the Department of Health and Ageing and the Australian Institute of Petroleum, supported BP Australia Pty Ltd to develop a new low aromatic unleaded fuel called Opal.

In February 2005, Opal replaced Avgas and the Comgas Scheme became the Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program.

Low aromatic fuel is now available in selected communities, petrol stations and roadhouses in regional and remote Australia assisting to reduce the incidence and impact of petrol sniffing in Indigenous communities.

In December 2012, the Government announced that Shell Australia would commence producing low aromatic fuel in the latter half of 2013.

BP Australia will continue to supply its low aromatic fuel (Opal) to central and South Australia, and parts of Western Australia. Shell Australia will be the primary supplier of low aromatic fuel to northern Australia covering areas such as the Top End of the Northern Territory, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and East Kimberley. Back to top

Page currency, Latest update: 05 December, 2012