Welcome to Issue 41 of Crash Towing Industry News.
This week's newsletter includes important information on:
- Updating or varying an existing towing business authorisation.
- The requirement to include your towing business authorisation number on all Authority to Tow (ATT) forms.
- South West Region: limited time remaining to obtain authorisation.
- Rest of WA: time remaining to apply.
- What happens if I conduct regulated (crash) towing without an authorisation?
Updating or varying an existing towing business authorisation
Authorised towing businesses are reminded that any changes to their approved business details (as shown on their Authorisation Document) must be updated as soon as practicable.
Examples of updates required to an existing authorisation include:
- Telephone, email or address changes for a Director or Responsible Officer (RO).
- Adding or removing a towing worker or tow truck.
- Adding, removing or making changes to an approved storage yard.
- Changes to business contact details or operational arrangements.
Examples of a variation to an existing authorisation include:
- Adding or removing a Director or RO.
- Any variations to an authorisation condition.
Keeping authorisation details current helps ensure that the authorisation remains valid and assists the Towing and Government Regulation (TGR) team to effectively communicate with authorised operators.
Businesses should ensure that any changes or applications for a variation are submitted promptly to TGR on towing@transport.wa.gov.au to avoid compliance issues arising from outdated authorisation information.
Requirement to include authorisation numbers on all Authority To Tow (ATT) forms
Towing business authorisation numbers must be recorded on all ATT forms used by a towing worker acting on behalf of an authorised towing service provider.
Businesses should ensure that ROs, towing workers and administrative staff are aware of this requirement and that all ATT forms are completed accurately and in full before commencing a tow.
South West Region: limited time remaining to obtain authorisation
Businesses providing regulated (crash) towing services in the South West region are reminded that the requirement to hold a towing business authorisation comes into effect on 1 October 2026.
With less than three weeks remaining before commencement, businesses that have not yet submitted an application are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as the timeframe for application assessment can be up to six weeks.
Rest of WA: time remaining to apply
For businesses operating outside the Perth, Peel and South West regions, the requirement to hold a towing business authorisation commences on 1 November 2026.
While there is still time to apply, businesses are encouraged not to delay lodging their applications. Early submission will assist in ensuring applications are assessed and any requests for further information can be addressed well before the commencement date.
What happens if I conduct regulated (crash) towing without an authorisation?
You will be committing an offence with potential fines up to $200,000.
Towing business authorisation requirements come into force as per the below:
- Perth and Peel - 1 September 2026
- South-West - 1 October 2026
- All other regions - 1 November 2026
After the relevant date, any person commits an offence if the person conducts a regulated (crash) towing business in the region 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
Unless a towing business has been granted a towing business authorisation, it cannot lawfully continue to conduct regulated (crash) towing after the relevant commencement date for its region.
Further information on authorisation requirements and application processes is available on the Transport website Towing business authorisation.
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.
