Accident tow truck charges

These charges are only for vehicles under four tonnes that need accident towing following an accident (crash) in metropolitan Melbourne.  

They don’t apply to trade towing (if you break down on the side of the road).There are no set charges for accident towing in regional and rural Victoria.  

All charges include GST.  

View more on:  

• tow trucks (including information on the ‘authority to tow’ document, and payment options)
• complaints
• accident towing allocation maps.

Melbourne towing charges

This table shows the charges for accident towing, storing and salvaging accident damaged motor vehicles in the Melbourne region. 

Note that the base charge also includes:

• an allowance for removal of all debris (including any spills)
• cleaning the tow truck
• waiting time at the accident scene
• phone calls
• release of the stored vehicle
• unpaid tows  
• administration such as photos and documentation.

Storage charges

This table shows the maximum daily charges for the secure storage of an accident damaged motor vehicle.  

Salvage charges

Salvage charges aren’t regulated in Melbourne, but they are required to be reasonable.

Regional Victoria and heavy vehicle towing charges

The Accident Towing Services Act 2007 doesn’t regulate accident towing charges for:

• regional Victoria
• heavy vehicles (four tonnes or heavier).  
• the towing-related, self-managed area of Geelong.  

However, charges for these services must be reasonable in accordance with section 212I of the Act.  

A reasonable charge must consider:

• what service is being provided
• when the service is provided
• administrative costs
• charges for a similar towing service, such as a car breakdown
• charges charged for similar services by another nearby accident towing operator.