In Cowra this week prices for E10 ranged from 133.9 cents a litre at the United Fuel outlet in Kendal Street to a high of 139.9 cents a litre at all of the town's other suppliers.

United was also the cheapest outlet for Premium at 156.9 cents a litre.

The NRMA says rising economic optimism due to the start of the vaccine rollout globally and easing of restrictions has increased demand for fuel.

In addition, OPEC has maintained cuts to oil production.

These factors combined with fears Australian retailers are also likely to maintain profit margins in 2021 at the same record levels as they did last year, meant Australians were likely to experience pain at the bowser in coming weeks.

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said after a year when the full falls in global oil were never passed on to Australian motorists, many were now forced to brace for even higher prices in 2021.

"We saw throughout 2020 that oil companies needed no excuse when it came to exposing Australians to higher petrol prices than what we should have been paying, and now that global demand for fuel is rising faster than supply we are concerned that things will now worsen," Mr Khoury said.

"That's not to say prices should be as high as some retailers are pushing them - there's a price discrepancy of 53 cents across western Sydney alone - and this discrepancy is almost unique to Australia.

"If you're filling up the car with petrol it's more important than ever to check prices on the MyNRMA app before you get stuck paying more than you have to."

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