where does australia import oil from
Australia primarily imports its crude oil and refined petroleum products from a mix of Southeast Asian neighbors and Middle Eastern suppliers, with Malaysia leading as the top source in recent years.
This reliance stems from Australia's limited domestic refining capacity and strategic trade partnerships, though volumes have fluctuated amid global price shifts and geopolitical tensions.
Top Crude Oil Suppliers (2024 Data)
Here's a breakdown of Australia's key crude oil and condensate import sources by share, based on the latest available figures:
| Country | Share | Value (if reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 23% | $2.09B |
| United States | 20% | $891M |
| Brunei | 14% | $592M |
| Vietnam | 11% | $616M |
| UAE | ~6% | $314M |
| Others | 32% | - |
Refined Products Imports
For petroleum products like diesel and gasoline, sources shift slightly:
- South Korea : 30% share, a major refined exporter.
- Singapore : 19%, leveraging its refining hub status.
- India : Surged nearly 50% to 72,000 b/d in 2024, with controversy over Russian crude processing (e.g., Jamnagar refinery imports hit $1.6B in H1 2025).
Imports totaled ~$5.38B in 2024, down from a 2022 peak of $7.37B, reflecting lower volumes (9.20B units) but higher per-unit costs.
Recent Trends & Context
Australia's oil self-sufficiency is low—it produces some crude but imports most refined needs. In 2025, scrutiny grew over indirect Russian oil via India, with calls to tighten sanctions (EU plans bans by 2026).
Volumes dipped to 152M barrels/day (thousand) by late 2024, amid energy transition talks.
"Malaysia leads as Australia's top oil supplier... outpacing the US and Vietnam."
Temporal note : Data through 2025 shows stability, but 2026 imports could rise with global demand—watch Southeast Asia for updates.
TL;DR : Malaysia (23%, $2.09B), US (20%), Brunei/Vietnam top the list; refined products favor South Korea/Singapore/India. Geopolitics adds indirect Russian exposure via refineries.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.