It feels fair to say that many people probably never give a moment’s thought to how much a tow truck costs – until the day they actually need one. But if you do find yourself caught up in an accident or your engine has conked out, the last thing you’re likely to want to be worrying about is how much you’ll have to shell out for a tow.
So, how much does a tow truck cost? Is towing covered by car insurance? And how can you be sure your bank account isn’t being taken for a ride as well as your car?
Read on to find out in our guide to accident and breakdown towing across Australia.
Which factors can affect the cost of a tow truck?
The total cost you might pay for a tow truck in Australia typically depends on several factors, which can include:1-5
- The flat rate for the tow
- The cost of towing a car per kilometre outside a set range
- Storage fees
- Surcharges for after hours, weekends or public holidays.1-5
As the accident towing industry is regulated on a state level in Australia,6 not nationally, fees and rules can vary by location. In some cities, such as Adelaide and Hobart, for example, towing rates aren’t legally capped,6 whereas in Sydney1 and Melbourne,3 they are. Keep in mind, however, that caps may only apply to certain events, such as accidents, and not to breakdown towing.
So, how much does it cost to tow a car in different cities in Australia? Here’s a handy guide.
Cost of tow trucks in Sydney
The cost of towing a car in Sydney is capped at:1
- $308 for an accident tow
- $7 per kilometre after the first 10km
- 20% surcharge for work outside of business hours.1
Cost of tow trucks in Melbourne
Car towing costs in Melbourne are regulated for vehicles under four tonnes involved in accidents in the metropolitan area. These are capped at:3
- $272.80 towing fee
- $4.30 per kilometre after the first 8km
- $93.10 after-hours charge for weeknights, weekends and public holidays.3
Cost of tow trucks in Brisbane
In Brisbane, crash towing is capped at:4
- $433.30 for the first 50km
- $8.60 per kilometre after that
- $30 per day for storage, with the first 72 hours of storage included in the maximum towing charge*
- $299.90 for release from a holding yard*.4
*Charges for private property towing
Cost of tow trucks in Perth
Car towing costs in Perth are capped for light vehicles, with maximum charges at:2
- $485 for a tow
- $4.40 per kilometre after 50km
- $138 one-off surcharge for afterhours, weekends and holidays.2
Cost of tow trucks in Adelaide
Tow truck charges are prescribed rather than legally capped in Adelaide,5,6 and fees could typically include:5
- A tow fee
- A waiting fee, if the truck is at the accident scene for more than 30 minutes
- Charges for additional equipment and storage.5
In Adelaide, tow trucks are dispatched through a central operator to ensure only one attends each incident. You can request a tow truck by calling (08) 8116 9209.5
Cost of tow trucks in Hobart, Canberra and Darwin
In Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, accident towing and fees aren’t regulated.6 But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to fork out a fortune. Later on in this article, we’ll share some tips for hiring a tow truck, including some steps you can take to help keep costs in check.
Who pays for towing after an accident?
Towing fees can add up to a hefty sum but who’s responsible for paying? The answer depends on a couple of factors.
What kind of insurance do you have?
Depending on the type of car insurance you have, your insurer may cover towing costs.
If you have comprehensive car insurance, your insurer may cover you for towing after a breakdown or accident, regardless of who’s at fault.8 On the other hand, if you have a third party policy, your insurer generally won’t pay to tow your car, though they may cover the other driver’s towing if the accident was your fault.9
And if you’re involved in a not-at-fault incident while holding third party insurance, the at-fault driver, or their insurer, may cover your towing – but you might need to pay upfront and claim it back later.10
“At Youi, both our Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft cover include the cost of towing and storage at the nearest suitable place after an insured event,”11 says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
“It might also be helpful to know that Youi Roadside Assist comes as standard with our Comprehensive car insurance, and this can typically provide assistance with mishaps such as flat batteries, flat tyres, emergency fuel and lost or locked keys. If the vehicle can’t be restarted, they can arrange towing to the nearest approved repairer.”12
Who is at fault?
Generally, the at-fault driver – or their insurer if they have the appropriate cover – is responsible for paying reasonable costs for any damage, which includes towing and storage fees.7
“When it comes to car insurance, ‘at fault’ refers to the driver who is determined to have caused a car accident,” explains Jackson.
“If you’re at fault and have Comprehensive car insurance with Youi, we’ll cover the cost of towing on your behalf. And if the other driver caused the accident and their insurer accepts liability, we’ll take care of your towing and look to recover the costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer.”
How to get a tow truck quote
Dealing with a crash or a broken down car can be overwhelming. If you are involved in a crash, Youi’s car accident checklist can help guide you in which immediate steps to take. Whether you need to arrange a tow yourself will depend on your level of insurance coverage – if your policy includes roadside assistance – and whether your vehicle has been involved in a crash or a breakdown. We’ll go into these scenarios below.
Contact your insurer or roadside assistance
If you’ve had a crash and have car insurance, it’s always a good idea to contact your insurer first.13 They might be able to organise a tow for you or help you understand what to expect.14 It’s worth noting that some insurers may also set who you can use to tow, store and repair your car.13
If your car has broken down and you have Comprehensive car insurance with Youi, Roadside Assist will arrange towing for you if they can’t get your car restarted.12
Call for a tow truck
If you’re calling for a tow truck yourself, you’ll need to tell the provider:5
- Where you’re located
- The registration, make and model of your car
- Whether the vehicle has been moved.5
Understand the fees
Before you sign anything, you might want to ask the driver what the maximum car towing services cost will be, including any surcharges. It’s also recommended to check the information on your tow authority form before you sign, which should include:13
- Where your car is being moved from and to
- Your name and address
- Your car’s make and number plate
- The tow truck’s number plate
- The tow truck driver’s name and contact number.13
Never sign a blank or incomplete towing form
Be wary of any blank spaces on the towing authority form and carefully read the terms and conditions so you understand what you’re agreeing to. The driver cannot tow your car until you sign the form.13
Make sure to always read the fine print.14 Sadly, sketchy operators do exist, and they may try to get you to sign a contract with hidden conditions. For example, there might be a clause requiring you to use a specific smash repairer, who might charge inflated fees for repairs or storage.6
What to do while you wait for a tow truck to arrive
Here are some simple steps you can take to stay safe while you call for help and wait for your tow to arrive:15
- If possible, move your car off the road or away from traffic, such as onto a shoulder or an emergency lane.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- If it’s safe, exit the vehicle via the passenger side and stand well clear, behind a barrier if possible.
- If it’s not safe to exit your vehicle, stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened.15
Frequently asked questions about tow trucks
To help you get back on the road faster, we’ve answered some common questions about accident and breakdown towing.
Can I refuse a tow truck?
In most cases, you can refuse to have your car towed. However, if your car is endangering other road users or blocking traffic, police may order you to have it towed.16
Do I have to use the first tow truck that arrives at the scene?
No, you don’t have to use a tow truck just because it’s at the scene. You have the right to choose who tows your car.13
You also have the right to choose whether you want your car towed to your home, to your preferred repairer or to the tow truck company’s storage yard. For example, you might prefer to tow your car home if you need time to check your insurance details and find a suitable repairer.16
It’s important to check with your insurer first, though, as they may only pay for towing to the nearest approved repairer.13
Where do I go if I have a complaint about a towing company?
Under Australian consumer law, you have the right to expect that a towing company will deliver a service with due care and skill that’s fit for purpose within a reasonable time.17
If you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received, you can try to resolve your complaint with the company directly,13 but if necessary, you might wish to escalate it to the relevant transport or consumer affairs authority in your state or territory:
- NSW: NSW Fair Trading
- Vic: Transport Victoria for accident towing, Consumer Affairs Victoria for breakdowns and other non-accident towing
- Qld: Department of Transport and Main Roads
- WA: Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
- SA: South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Tas: Service Tasmania
- ACT: Access Canberra
- NT: Northern Territory Consumer Affairs.
So, as we’ve seen, the cost of a tow truck and who pays for it depends on a range of factors, such as where you are, what kind of incident you’ve been involved in, and what type of insurance you have. Learn more about our car insurance options on our website to discover if they’re right for you. Or, if you wish to speak to an advisor give us a call at 13 9684 (YOUI).
1 Source: NSW Government – Tow truck fees for light vehicles, July 2025
2 Source: WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure – Capped fees and maximum charges for crash towing, May 2025
3 Source: Transport Vic – Accident tow truck charges
4 Source: Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads – Tow truck scheme, July 2025
5 Source: SA Government – Calling a tow truck, August 2023
6 Source: CHOICE – What to do if your car needs towing after an accident, October 2018
7 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Car Accident when Uninsured, January 2024
8 Source: Canstar – Third party property damage car insurance, May 2025
9 Source: Canstar – What is comprehensive car insurance?, May 2025
10 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Car insurance claim, January 2025
11 Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies. For full details, see the PDS.
12 Available with Comprehensive policies, some limits and fees may apply. For full details, see the PDS.
13 Source: WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Towing after an accident, August 2025
14 Source: Queensland Government – Crash towing, August 2023
15 Source: Qld Government – Breakdown safety on motorways and freeways, January 2024
16 Source: Consumer Affairs Vic – Getting your car towed, June 2025
17 Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – Consumer rights and guarantees
