Petrol prices across Australia have soared to more than $2 a litre in response to the escalating war between Iran, the US, Israel and other countries across the Middle East.
Some regional areas in the country have reported fuel shortages.
The government was allowing fuel companies to keep less petrol and diesel in storage, meaning more will flow to pumps across the nation - particularly outside the major cities, Chris Bowen said.
The extra fuel would not flow immediately due to supply chain complexities, he said.
"It's not like they can just press a button and get fuel out the door, but it will make a difference going forward," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday after the government's National Security Committee met.
Supply and price issues were being driven by panic-buying motorists, not a lack of fuel coming in from overseas, Mr Bowen said.
"I ask Australians, buy as much fuel as you need: no more, no less," he said.
"I've seen (people) on Facebook marketplace filling up jerry cans, Bunnings running out of jerry cans ... going on Facebook marketplace, selling fuel at inflated prices - that is un-Australian.
"It's dangerous. It shouldn't be done."
The government has also relaxed quality standards for the next 60 days, allowing the use of fuel with higher sulphur levels, to boost the domestic market by 100 million litres of petrol per month.
Quality levels would remain very high by international standards, the government said.
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said the government should also consider easing diesel quality standards.
"Australia's economy runs on diesel," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
Mr Tehan accused Mr Bowen of deploying ad-hoc measures in response to the supply and price crunch.
Resources Minister Madeleine King is travelling to Japan for talks with her international counterparts to discuss ways to shore up fuel supplies, among other issues.
"I'm hoping to achieve good discussions about where everyone else is sitting in addressing the fuel supply or demand issues they're facing in their countries," she told ABC News on Friday.
Ms King said boosting supplies of critical minerals and rare earths - used in electric vehicle batteries, smartphones and sensitive defence technologies - would also be discussed.
