Sinopec, China’s state-owned energy conglomerate, has officially opened its first Australian service station in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburb of Frankston.
The move marks a major milestone for the world’s sixth-largest company by revenue (2025 Fortune Global 500) and represents China’s strategic entry into Australia’s energy sector. It also underscores Sinopec’s ongoing expansion of its global fuel retail network, following operations in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines.
Image Source: Cushman & Wakefield, "Ultra-Modern Service Centre Anchored by Global Energy Giant Hits the Market", published 16 October 2025, via cushmanwakefield.com.
According to Cushman & Wakefield, the Frankston site, currently on sale, is prominently located on Nepean Highway and began operations on 25 October 2025 under a new 10-year lease with options through 2050. The facility features a modern service centre and carwash.
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Sinopec plans to open three additional stations in Melbourne in the near term. The expansion could benefit local residents and holidaymakers through increased competition.
Amid broader national petrol price volatility, driven by international crude markets, exchange rates, and seasonal demand, Sinopec’s entry may introduce new dynamics in pricing, service offerings, and supply chain strategies—particularly in the south-eastern Melbourne corridor, where independent operators and major chains currently dominate. Fuel prices in Victoria currently average around $1.90 per litre for unleaded.
