Welcome to Issue 38 of Crash Towing Industry News.
This week's newsletter highlights the limited time remaining for towing businesses in Perth and Peel to obtain a towing business authorisation before the new requirements commence on 1 September 2026, the process for submitting supporting evidence and that continuing to conduct regulated (crash) towing without authorisation may have serious consequences for you and your business.
Thank you
Thank you to the towing businesses that have submitted their authorisation applications. Your cooperation and support to ensure your application can be assessed in a timely manner is appreciated. Applications received are being reviewed and processed. Advice regarding the outcome of your application will be issued in due course.
Assessment timeframes and late applications
The assessment timeframe for an application is up to six weeks from the date the complete application is received. Towing businesses in Perth and Peel were encouraged to submit their applications by 19 July 2026.
As this date has now passed, towing businesses that have not yet lodged an application are strongly encouraged to:
- Contact the TG&R team on 9320 4111 or towing@transport.wa.gov.au to discuss anticipated assessment timeframes; and
- Submit their application as soon as possible to minimise the risk of delays.
Applications will continue to be assessed as quickly as possible. However, businesses should be aware that applications lodged after 19 July 2026 may not be finalised before 1 September 2026 and they cannot continue to provide regulated (crash) towing services lawfully in the Perth and Peel region.
Don't delay your application
While towing businesses are encouraged to have all supporting information and evidence readily available to avoid delays during the assessment process, do not wait until all documentation has been gathered before submitting an application.
Submitting your application as early as possible will enable the assessment process to begin. The TG&R team can then provide advice on any additional information or evidence required.
The information below outlines the minimum requirements needed to apply via DoTDirect and what additional supporting information may be requested during the assessment process.
Information required for a Towing Business Authorisation
To commence an application, towing businesses are only required to provide the following information:
1. Business details
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Business registration documentation
2. Personnel details
Personal details and a current National Police Clearance (NPC) must be provided for:
- Directors
- Responsible Officers
- Towing Workers
Please note that NPCs must have been issued within the three months immediately prior to the authorisation application date.
3. Authorisation forms
Applicants must submit:
- A completed Storage Yard Authorisation Details form
- A completed Tow Truck Authorisation Details form
Forms are available on the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) Towing Authorisations webpage.
Storage yard information and supporting evidence
Detailed storage yard information, supporting documentation and evidentiary material do not need to be submitted with the initial application. Once an application has been received, the TG&R team will commence its assessment and contact applicants directly if additional information is required. At that time, businesses will be provided with a secure, personalised link that can be used to upload supporting documents and evidence relating to storage yards and other assessment requirements.
Examples of information that may be requested during the assessment process include:
- Site plans and photographs
- Evidence of security arrangements
- Local government approvals and permits relating to the storage yard
Specific examples of supporting evidence that may be requested are outlined in the Storage Yard Authorisation Details form.
What happens if I conduct regulated (crash) towing after 1 September 2026 without an authorisation?
You will be committing an offence with potential fines up to $200,000.
Towing business authorisation requirements come into force as below:
- Perth and Peel - 1 September 2026
- South-West - 1 October 2026
- All other regions - 1 November 2026
After the relevant date for each region, any person commits an offence if the person conducts a regulated (crash) towing business and does not hold a towing business authorisation (Towing Services Act 2024 s.13).
In addition, a towing service provider must comply with any conditions of their towing business authorisation (Towing Services Act 2024 s.14).
The penalty for these offences are:
a) for an individual, a fine of $40,000
b) for a body corporate, a fine of $200,000
DTMI is committed to supporting towing businesses through the authorisation process and the TG&R team is available to assist with questions about an application. However, it remains the responsibility of each towing business to submit an application and obtain authorisation in order to continue operating.
Businesses continuing to operate without a valid authorisation, or that fail to comply with the conditions of an authorisation, will be subject to compliance and enforcement action, including prosecution under the Towing Services Act 2024.
Published list of authorised towing businesses
Once towing businesses are authorised, a list of authorised towing businesses will be published on the DTMI website. Consumers and insurers will be encouraged to only use towing businesses on this list for crash towing services.
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.
