Notice under section 17A of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 for Variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 – International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited (Expiry 30 June 2027)

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Legislation au C2025G00291 In force Gazette

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HEAD OF DIVISION, GAS AND LIQUID FUELS DIVISION

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2024 AND THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (ETHANOL E85) DETERMINATION 2024 – INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT SOLUTIONS PTY LIMITED (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2027)

 I, Paula Svarcas, Head of Division, Gas and Liquid Fuels Division, delegate of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, provide the following information concerning my decision under section 17D of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) to vary an existing approval made under section 13 of the Act.

Name of approval holder 

International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited (ABN 82 897 212 462) 

Details of the approval 

The existing approval to International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited was granted to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Standard) and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 (E85 Standard) to permit the supply of specialist racing fuels.

This approval extends the variation to the Petrol Standard so that fuel containing:  

  • a maximum aromatics content of 70% v/v
  • a maximum diisopropyl ether (DIPE) content of 25% v/v
  • a maximum ethanol content of 30% v/v
  • a maximum ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) content of 20% v/v
  • a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of 50% v/v
  • a maximum oxygen content of 10.2% m/m 

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol Standard in respect of the supply of specialist racing fuels.

This approval extends the variation to the E85 Standard so that fuel containing:

  • a minimum Motor Octane Number (MON) of 84.5

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the E85 Standard in respect of the supply of specialist racing fuels.

Pursuant to paragraphs 13A(1) and (2) of the Act, the listed approval comes into force on the date of approval and remains in force for the period specified in the approval (being until 30 June 2027).  

Summary of reasons for the approval 

Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, I grant the approval with regard to matters specified under section 15 of the Act, in particular:   

(a) The protection of the environment 

The specialist racing fuels subject to this approval are supplied in sealed drums, ranging from 25 litres to 200 litres. The fuel is used in small quantities for motorsport activities in controlled environments. These events have strict protocols in place for storage, handling and spill management. Fuels will be sold in approved dangerous goods containers which comply with the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail.

Motorsport events have protocols in place to reduce environmental impacts. The fuelling area is managed using environmental fuel spill kits, mats, bunding and other equipment to reduce any risk of impact to the environment.

More generally, the strict management of the motorsport industry results in fewer emissions released into the environment from the use of specialist racing fuels. Racing vehicle engines are tuned specifically to the type of racing fuel used, which aids in achieving more complete combustion. These fuels generally have low levels of impurities and only trace levels of chemicals such as sulfur and phosphorus compared to pump fuels, and therefore often burn cleaner.

With these packaging and supply protocols in place, it is expected that the specialist racing fuels supplied by International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited under this approval will not have any material adverse impact on the environment.

(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety 

The fuels subject to this approval are not likely to have a significant impact on the health and safety of users as the volume of fuel used is low, highly controlled and confined to racing vehicles. These fuels will generally be used by competitors at events in large outdoor areas.

Specialist racing fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to 200 litres capacity and are used in small quantities. Safety data sheets are provided to each consumer outlining the health risks, how to mitigate any associated risks, and penalties associated with the failure to safely store and manage the fuels.

Occupational and public health and safety risks resulting from short-term and intermittent use of these fuels will be minimised through the conditions of approval.

(c) The interests of consumers 

Enabling the supply of specialist racing fuels through International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited’s section 13 approval provides a fuel that is professionally produced and safely made available for racing consumers.

Specialist racing fuels meet the needs of a niche market for specific categories of motor racing. Participants use vehicles with engines built and manufactured to the international fuel specifications set by racing organisations. Consumers seek the performance and operability characteristics provided by these fuels. If the supply of racing fuels in Australia is inadequate, racing participants would need to blend their own fuels, leading to increased environmental and safety risks to competitors and the community.

(d) The impact on economic and regional development 

Motorsport events are regularly held in regional Australian areas and provide an ongoing benefit to these regional communities by generating income and opportunities for growth. Limiting the continued and controlled supply of specialist racing fuels would have an adverse effect on national and regional motorsport competitions and the economic benefits that would flow from them.

 

 

…………………………………………………………………………. 

Paula Svarcas 

Head of Division

Gas and Liquid Fuels    

10 June 2025 

Overview

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, was introduced to regulate the quality of fuel sold in Australia. This legislation aims to protect the environment, ensure occupational and public health and safety, and support economic and regional development. The Act provides the framework for setting fuel quality standards and allows for variations in these standards under certain conditions. This particular gazette from 2025, issued under the authority of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, pertains to the variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 for International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited. The approval granted to this company enables the supply of specialist racing fuels, which are packaged and supplied in a manner that minimises environmental impact and ensures the safety of consumers and the public. The policy objective of this variation is to support the motorsport industry, which in turn benefits regional communities through economic growth and job creation.

Scope and Application

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 applies to entities and individuals involved in the production, import, and supply of fuel within Australia, specifically focusing on ensuring the quality and environmental standards of petrol and other liquid fuels. This Act provides a framework for setting fuel quality standards, which are further elaborated in determinations such as the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024. The Act applies nationally across Australia, ensuring uniform standards and regulations are met across all states and territories. The approval granted to International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited under section 13 of the Act allows for specific variations to the petrol and ethanol E85 standards to permit the supply of specialist racing fuels. This approval recognises the unique requirements of the motorsport industry and allows for a controlled supply of fuels with specific parameters, ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards. The approval is subject to specific conditions that aim to protect the environment and public safety, including protocols for handling and storage, and it extends until 30 June 2027. The Act allows for further regulation and amendments through subordinate instruments, providing flexibility in managing fuel quality standards in response to changing conditions and technological advancements.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) in this notice pertain to the variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Standard) and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 (E85 Standard). Under section 17D, the approval holder, International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited, is granted the authority to supply specialist racing fuels with specific compositional limits. These include a maximum aromatics content of 70% v/v, a maximum diisopropyl ether (DIPE) content of 25% v/v, a maximum ethanol content of 30% v/v, a maximum ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) content of 20% v/v, a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of 50% v/v, and a maximum oxygen content of 10.2% m/m for petrol. For the E85 Standard, the minimum Motor Octane Number (MON) is set at 84.5. The approval holder is also required to comply with the provisions outlined in section 15 of the Act, which considers environmental, occupational health and safety, consumer interests, and economic impacts. The obligations imposed on International Motorsport Solutions Pty Limited under this approval include strict packaging and supply protocols. The specialist racing fuels must be supplied in sealed drums and approved dangerous goods containers, and sold in accordance with the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail. Motorsport events must implement strict protocols for storage, handling, and spill management to reduce environmental impacts. Safety data sheets must be provided to each consumer, outlining health risks, risk mitigation measures, and penalties for non-compliance with safe storage and management practices. These obligations ensure that the environmental, health, and safety risks associated with the use of these specialist racing fuels are minimised. Breaches of the obligations and conditions outlined in this approval may result in civil or criminal consequences. The Act does not specify the exact penalties for non-compliance, but typically, breaches of fuel quality standards can lead to fines, suspension or revocation of the approval, and potential legal action. The severity of the penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, and the discretion of the court. The approval holder must ensure compliance with all the conditions to avoid these consequences.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.