The petrol prices in Australia have soared a great deal. They have touched a 16-month high and there will be only a slight relief in the short-term, experts believes.

According to the data given by Australian Institute of Petroleum, the price of unleaded petrol was $1.22 at the end of February. The price of the same has increased by 16 cents per litre to become $1.38 since the end of last month. And if the international crude prices are factored in, this is expected to go even higher. Price of crude has doubled in the international market in recent few months.

And ever since the start March, the unleaded petrol has cost people in between $1.159 and $1.389 per litre in Sydney and $1.135 to $1.379 per litre in Melbourne. In Brisbane, the price has ranged between $1.159 to $1.389 a litre.

Experts believe that since the retailers are looking forward to widen their margins, the price, in a fortnight's time, is expected to go up by another 1 to 2 cents per litre.

This rise is the effect of rising demand for petrol in the world market. Most of this demand has come from US, China and India.