Is the fuel situation about to hit repairers where it hurts — or is it business as usual? That’s the question being kicked around after industry figure Russ Hill took to the Spray Painters and Panel Beaters Australia Facebook groups to gauge the mood on the ground.
The early verdict? A pretty even split. Roughly half of respondents say things are still humming along — with around 40–45% reporting they’re “flat out and booked weeks ahead” — while the rest are starting to notice a slowdown, describing work as “a bit quieter” or “down a bit”.
So, no cliff edge just yet… but definitely a few raised eyebrows.
Anecdotally, there are signs of unease creeping in. Several repairers told Paint & Panel they’re concerned that reduced road usage could translate into fewer accidents.
And there are some real-world shifts backing that up. In Sydney, metro public transport usage has surged, while Victoria and the ACT have gone a step further, offering free public transport for the next month to ease pressure on commuters. Add in cancelled Easter road trips — with some motorists put off by both fuel prices and availability concerns — and you’ve got the makings of a potential dip in vehicle kilometres travelled.
But the industry has been here before. COVID lockdowns saw dramatic drops in road usage, followed by sharp rebounds once restrictions eased. Some repairers are clearly taking a “wait and see” approach, reflected in one poll response: “waiting patiently for the decline.”
For now, the takeaway is this: it’s patchy. Some shops are still flat chat, others are starting to feel the edges soften, and many are watching closely to see which way it tips.