Final report on accident towing and storage fees

The Essential Services Commission has released its final report on accident towing fees, proposing no change to the current fee structures for towing and storing vehicles damaged in road accidents. 

The final report finds regulated accident towing and storage fees for metropolitan Melbourne are appropriate and broadly in line with fees in Sydney, Adelaide and Queensland, and should only be increased in line with the current indexation arrangements. 

The current regulated base fee including the first 8 km of towing by a tow truck is $272.80, with additional fees and charges set out on the Transport Victoria website. 

The report also finds the legislated productivity adjustment factor, which aims to provide incentives for tow truck operators to introduce efficiencies over time, should remain unchanged at half a per cent. 

The productivity adjustment factor forms part of the relevant indexation arrangements, which adjusts fees annually based on cost growth and industry productivity performance.  

Every four years the Essential Services Commission conducts a review which advises the Minister for Roads and Road Safety whether accident towing and storage fees within metropolitan Melbourne are appropriate. The Minister has responsibility for setting fees based on this, and separate Department of Transport advice.

The commission consulted with towing operators and their peak body, the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce and the Insurance Council of Australia. 

Accident towing and storage charges are the only regulated towing fees in Victoria. Unregulated trade towing and storage services include clearway, impound and breakdown towing jobs, where operators set their own charges.

Towing and storage fees and charges in Melbourne 2025-26

*Applies 5pm to 8am Monday to Friday, 5pm Friday to 8am Monday, and public holidays.