Welcome to Issue 30 of Crash Towing Industry News.
Storage yard requirements for Towing Business Authorisation
Under the Towing Services Act 2024, authorised towing businesses must maintain exclusive use and control of at least one storage yard that meets prescribed standards. This ensures safe vehicle storage, protects customer property, and supports professionalism and accountability across the crash towing industry.
Storage yard standards
Storage yard standards are set out in the Towing Services Regulations 2025 and detailed in the Storage Yard Authorisation Details form available on the Transport WA website.
An approved storage yard must:
- Securely store vehicles to prevent unauthorised access and protect against damage, loss, or interference
- Include a dedicated area for the safe and timely release of vehicles in accordance with regulated charges
- Comply with all requirements under the Towing Services Regulations 2025
- Meet applicable insurance and local government requirements
Storage yards must also have documented procedures for:
- Safe and timely vehicle release
- Providing owners access to their vehicles and personal property
The Storage Yard Authorisation Details form must be completed and submitted with your application (see Reporting obligations below).
If you do not have a storage yard
If your business does not have a storage yard or your storage yard cannot meet the required standards, you cannot operate as an authorised towing business.
Towing workers may only work while registered under an authorised towing business and may only use that business’s approved storage yard for regulated (crash) towed vehicles.
Reporting obligations
Before authorisation:
You are required to complete a Storage Yard Authorisation Details form for each storage yard you propose to use for regulated (crash) towing and upload the form during the application process. This form is available on the Transport WA website.
Only storage yards that have been assessed, approved, and formally registered under a towing business authorisation may be used to store vehicles for regulated (crash) towing purposes.
Supporting evidence that your storage yard(s) meet the required standards are detailed on the Storage Yard Authorisation Details form and will be requested by Towing Governance & Regulation (TG&R) during the assessment process. Towing businesses are encouraged to prepare this evidence in advance to help avoid delays.
After authorisation:
You must notify TG&R when:
- A storage yard is no longer used for regulated (crash) towing
- You wish to have a new storage yard approved and registered under your authorisation
- Changes are made to a storage yard which affect compliance with legislative requirements
Failure to meet storage yard standards or reporting obligations is an offence and may result in enforcement action including the suspension or cancellation of your towing business authorisation.
Where do I find more information to prepare for towing business authorisations?
The ‘Preparing for Towing Business Authorisation’ guide provides detailed information on how to get ready to apply and is available on the Transport WA website.
Contact us
If you are unable to locate the information you require on our website, please submit your enquiry below or contact us on (08) 9320 4111 between 8 am to 4.30 pm weekdays.
