Four WA petrol stations — three in Perth and one in Albany — have been fined for breaching fuel pricing laws.

Consumer Protection issued the $1000 on-the-spot fines to all four outlets for separate breaches.

An Albany petrol station was found to have overcharged 2.4 cents per litre for unleaded petrol for more than seven hours after the 6am changeover.

A Perth retailer overcharged 2 cents per litre for more than an hour after 6am.

Two more petrol stations on the outskirts of Perth were fined for changing their prices too early.

Staff working changed the price over when the petrol stations opened at 5am rather than waiting until 6am.

Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard said any discrepancies in the published FuelWatch price and the price advertised on-site would be investigated.

He also said the department would come down hard on petrol stations that changed their fuel prices early.

“It may seem a minor matter but motorists who fill up prior to 6am expect to pay the same price that is published on the FuelWatch website,” he said.

“So we advise fuel retailers to strictly adhere to the 6am changeover time and ensure the prices being charged and displayed on-site are consistent with what is reported to FuelWatch. This does the right thing by their customers and removes the potential of action being undertaken by the Department.”

Fuel price information is available at fuelwatch.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54.