Fuel safety
Staying safe with petrol, diesel and other fuels.
On this page
- Staying safe with fuel
- Safe storage of fuel
- Transporting fuel safely
- Safe disposal of fuel
- Personal safety when handling fuel
Staying safe with fuel
Petrol, diesel and other fuels are highly flammable and can pose serious risks to people, property and the environment if they are handled incorrectly.
Safe storage of fuel
Only store fuel in approved petrol or diesel containers with a UN approval mark, WorkSafe recommends portable containers filled at service stations should not exceed 25 litres.
Store fuel in a cool, well‑ventilated area, preferably in a detached shed or garage, not inside the home.
For more information about safely storing fuel, visit the WorkSafe website.
Transporting fuel safely
If you are transporting fuel for use at home, such as for your mower or generator, it must be in a compliant container, that is sealed, upright and secured to prevent tipping or movement.
Do not transport fuel inside the passenger area of a vehicle and avoid leaving containers in hot or enclosed spaces for long periods.
For more information about safely transporting fuel, visit the WorkSafe website.
Safe disposal of fuel
Fuel should not be stored for long periods. Over time, fuel deteriorates and may become unsafe or unsuitable for use.
Never pour fuel down drains, onto the ground or into household rubbish bins. Old or degraded fuel should be disposed of safely through an approved disposal service, such as Detox Your Home.
Personal safety when handling fuel
Handle fuel in well‑ventilated areas and avoid breathing in fumes.
WorkSafe suggests when refuelling or transferring fuel, use appropriate protection such as gloves or eye protection where needed, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
For more information safety when handling fuel, visit the WorkSafe website.
Updated 8 April 2026
About the VIC Government
- The Premier and ministers
- Find a Vic Gov department, agency or service
- Strategies and policies
- Inquiries and royal commissions
Grants and programs
Jobs and careers
Arts, culture and heritage
Business and the workplace
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victoria’s racing industry
- Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
- Liquor licensing, sale and supply
Communities
- Children
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Finding records
- Gender equality & women’s leadership
- LGBTIQA+ equality
- Multicultural communities
- Seniors Online
- Veterans support and commemoration
- Volunteering in Victoria
- Youth Central
Education and training
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority
- Early childhood education – information for professionals
- Kinder: Best Start, Best Life
- Education – information for parents
- Schools.Vic - information for schools
- Education grants, programs, awards and events
- PROTECT
- TAFE, training and universities sector
- TAFE Victoria
- Victorian Skills Authority
- Apprenticeships Victoria
- Learn Local
Environment, water and energy
Finance and economy
Health and social support
- Family violence reform
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- NDIS and disability services and support in Victoria
- Patient Review Panel
- Transforming Trauma Victoria
Housing and property
Law and justice
- Adoption
- Births, deaths and marriages
- Honorary justices
- Machete ban
- Safeguarding Victorians against terrorism
- Stolen Generations Reparations Package
- Victims of Crime
- Victorian Racing Tribunal
Safety and emergencies
- Emergency Recovery Victoria
- Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation
- Emergency Recovery Resource Portal
- How well do you know fire
- Fire Services Reform
- Water safety
- Marine Search and Rescue
Science and technology
- Data sharing and open data
- Data.vic - discover and access Vic Gov open data
- Developer.Vic - portal for API developers
- Go.vic URL shortener
- Vic Gov IT project dashboard
- Victoria’s free public wi-fi network
- Cyber security in the Victorian Government
Sport and recreation
Traffic and transport
- Cameras Save Lives
- Transport Fines
- Getting Around
- Transport Planning
- Transport Future
- Climate Change and transport
- Future Directions For Transport
- Transport projects
- Ports and Freight
Working in the Victorian Government
- Single Digital Presence home
- Accommodation and Library Services
- Executive employment in the Victorian public sector
- Budget, procurement and funding
- Careers in the Victorian Government
- Council and Regulator Toolkit
- Guidelines for working in government
- Join a government network
- Standards and guidelines
- VicFleet CarPool
- Victorian Government style guide