Notice Under section 17A of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 for Variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 – Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd (Expiry 30 June 2027)

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

Legislation au C2026G00298 In force Gazette

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HEAD OF DIVISION, ENERGY SECURITY TASKFORCE

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

– RACE TORQUE ENGINEERING PTY LTD (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2027)

I, Brad Archer, 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 

Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd (ABN 65 096 925 996) 

Details of the approval 

The existing approval to Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd was granted to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Standard) to permit the supply of specialist racing fuels.

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

  • a maximum ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) content of 20% v/v
  • a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of 13% v/v
  • a maximum olefins content of 20% v/v
  • a maximum oxygen content of 4.65% m/m  

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol 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 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 race fuel used in each event, which often 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.

Specialised racing fuels are supplied and used in small quantities in sealed drums, ranging from 20 litres to 200 litres, intended for motorsport activities in controlled environments with strict protocols in place for storage, handling, and spill management. Fuels are only sold in sealed, 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.

With these handling protocols in place, it is expected the specialist racing fuels supplied by Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd under this approval for motorsport activities will not have any material adverse effect on the environment.

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

The fuel is 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 race vehicles. The fuel 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 that outline the health risks, how to mitigate any associated risks, and penalties associated with 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 race fuels through Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd’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. Without the supply of fuels that optimise performance, these motorsport industries would be severely impacted in Australia.

(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 continued and controlled supply of specialist racing fuels would have an adverse effect on national and regional motorsport competitions and the economic benefits that flow from them.

 

 

 …………………………………………………………………………. 

Brad Archer 

Head of Division

Energy Security Taskforce      

18 May 2026 

Overview

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 was enacted to establish a regulatory framework for the quality of fuels sold in Australia, aiming to protect the environment, public health, and regional economic development. The Act empowers the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to approve variations to the quality standards of fuels, such as petrol, through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The policy objective of this Act is to ensure that fuel sold in Australia meets certain environmental and safety standards, while also supporting niche markets like specialist racing fuels. In 2024, a variation was approved under section 13 of the Act for Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd, allowing them to supply specialist racing fuels that meet specific parameters, such as ETBE, MTBE, olefins, and oxygen content. This decision was made with consideration for the environmental, health, and safety implications, as well as the economic benefits that such fuels provide to regional communities through motorsport events.

Scope and Application

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 applies to entities involved in the production, supply, and distribution of fuels within Australia, ensuring these entities comply with set quality and environmental standards. In this particular case, the Act applies to Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd, which has been granted an approval to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024. This approval allows the supply of specialist racing fuels with specific chemical content parameters, including ETBE, MTBE, olefins, and oxygen levels, for use in motorsport events. The approval is specifically tailored to the unique requirements of the motorsport industry, which uses these specialist fuels in controlled environments to minimise environmental and health risks. The Act also ensures that these activities do not adversely impact the interests of consumers or regional economic development, given the benefits motorsport events bring to regional communities. The approval remains in force until 30 June 2027, and its conditions are designed to mitigate any potential negative impacts while supporting the motorsport industry.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) relevant to this notice include section 13 (approvals for variations of fuel quality standards), section 17A (variation of an approval), and section 17D (decision to vary an approval). Under section 13, the Minister can grant an approval for variations in fuel quality standards to an entity such as Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd, provided certain conditions are met. Section 17A provides the authority for varying an existing approval, while section 17D outlines the process for the Minister to decide on such variations. In this case, the Minister has decided to vary the existing approval granted to Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd (section 17D) to allow the supply of specialist racing fuels that meet specified parameters (section 17A). The obligations imposed on Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd under this approval include strict compliance with the conditions specified in the approval, which allow the supply of petrol containing certain levels of ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), olefins, and oxygen content (section 13). The entity must ensure that the fuel is supplied in sealed, approved containers, and that all safety and environmental protocols are strictly followed during the supply, storage, and handling of the fuel (section 13). Additionally, Race Torque Engineering Pty Ltd must provide safety data sheets to consumers detailing the health risks associated with the fuel and how to mitigate these risks (section 13). Failure to comply with the conditions of the approval can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Under section 37 of the Act, a breach of the approval conditions may lead to the approval being varied or revoked, and the entity may be subject to fines. The maximum penalty for contravening the Act is generally set out in section 43, which can include fines up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, criminal penalties can apply under section 46, where individuals may face imprisonment for up to five years for serious or repeated breaches. These penalties underscore the importance of strict compliance with the conditions set forth in the approval.

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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.