Petrol prices have hit a five-year high, eating further into household incomes as the government "sucks" money out of the economy in its push for a budget surplus.

Research from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released on Friday showed that through the past year, unleaded petrol averaged 141.2¢ a litre across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Through the past year, unleaded petrol averaged 141.2¢ a litre across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Credit:Nine

The 6.7¢ increase on the previous year took nominal prices to their highest point since 2013-14. After inflation, prices are at their highest level in four years.

Sydney prices reached 138¢ a litre after averaging 131.9¢ a litre the previous year, while in Melbourne they hit 141.8¢ after averaging 135.6¢ through 2017-18.