The State Government is preparing to introduce the next phase of Western Australia’s crash towing industry reforms – authorisations for towing businesses – expected to come into effect in mid-2026.
The Towing Services Act 2024 (the Act) makes provision for the authorisation of crash towing businesses in Western Australia as part of on-going reform to create a safe, fair and efficient crash towing industry for WA and bring it in line with other Australian jurisdictions.
Once the new requirements are introduced, all crash towing businesses will need to be authorised to undertake crash towing. Failure to do so will incur significant penalties or result in businesses being unable to undertake crash towing services.
To become authorised, regulated towing businesses will need to meet various requirements, including:
- ‘Fit and proper’ persons considerations
- Public interest considerations
- Storage yard minimum standards
Authorisations for individual towing workers will be introduced at a later stage.
The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) will soon engage with WA’s towing industry to provide education to ensure towing business understand the upcoming changes and what they will be required to do to become authorised.
Industry can ensure they are included in DTMI’s engagement activities by signing up for the DTMI industry newsletter emails.
The Towing Services Bill 2024 was passed in October 2024, immediately introducing a ban on advertising or payment of spotter fees. In January 2025, the Towing Services Regulations 2025 introduced maximum charges for towing and storage of crashed light vehicles in the Perth and Peel regions, as well as increased penalties for authority to tow breaches.
For more information on WA’s crash towing reforms, visit the Towing industry reforms page.
