Calling changes ‘reforms’,
doesn’t make them good
The Department of Transport is undertaking a review of the impact of the changes and now is the time to make it clear that small owner operators are the backbone of the towing industry!
Bankrupting family-owned businesses is no good for anyone
Legitimate tow truck operators are soon going to be put out of business by insurance companies and large towing operators driving changes they call reforms. Forcing small efficient tow companies out of business will see prices spiral and service plummet. It’s not too late to do something about it but the time to act is now.
Most Recent Action Taken
Minutes of the WATTODA Meeting 18 March 2025
Dear Industry Colleague Thank you to everyone who attended the WATTODA meeting on the 18th of March 2025. We appreciate your support and participation. Please find the attached minutes from the meeting for your reference. As we continue to grow the association, we...
Response to Towing Governance & Regulation, Department of Transport
Towing Governance & RegulationDepartment of TransportGPO Box R1290Perth WA 6844towingreforms@transport.wa.gov.au Dear Towing Reforms Thank you for your timely response to the inquiry about participation by the West Australian Tow Truck Owners and Drivers...
Response from Towing Reforms
From: Towing ReformsSent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:11 AMTo: accounts@wattoda.com.auCc: Towing ReformsSubject: Participation in the review of Legislation Dear Wayne, Thank you for your suggestion that WATTODA participate in the review of the Towing Services Act...
The West Australian Towing Industry Reforms
In October 2024, the West Australian Parliament passed a bill giving effect to the new Towing Services Act 2024, designed to protect people involved in traffic accidents and combat bad behaviour and price gouging.
The act included a range of measures including the introduction of prescribed maximum amounts for towing and storing vehicles involved in traffic accidents and provisions relating to the conduct, safety standards and generation of leads in the towing industry. WATTODA believes much more emphasis should be placed on provisions relating to the conduct and safety standards in the towing industry.
This is an opportunity to improve the industry for everyone, especially the community!
Everyone wants efficient, cost-effective towing services that will help save lives, but making changes that let national insurance companies and large tow truck operators effectively run the towing industry in WA, will achieve just the opposite. When legitimate local small owner-operators are forced out of the towing industry, prices will skyrocket, standards will plummet, and there will be no going back.
The WA towing industry
There are currently two sectors within the West Australian towing industry.
- Bulk towing contractors: Large operators doing about 20% of the accident and breakdown towing in WA, on behalf of insurance companies.
- Individual tow truck owners & drivers : Individual drivers and small businesses, who do the remaining 80% of accident and breakdown towing in WA on behalf of vehicle owners.
- Towing operators whose businesses are subsidised by illegal activities who for the most part, are the operators that these reforms are aimed at.
- Legitimate towing operators who buy and insure costly towing equipment; purchase, maintain and insure storage yards; and have experienced, insured staff on standby 24/7.
These are the operators that The West Australian Tow Truck Owners & Drivers Association represents.
75% less than what most small towing operators are charging
The new prescribed maximum amounts for the towing and storage of light vehicles involved in accidents and breakdowns are around 75% less than what small towing operators are currently charging to cover the costs involved in providing these services in the way that that the market requires. This will make it impossible for the legitimate small towing companies to cover costs, and before long, the ‘big boys’ will control market.
The clock is ticking
In every industry there are operators who do the right thing and operators who don’t. The tow truck industry is no different and our members fully support the need for reform.
But the clock is ticking for the small family-owned towing operators who do the right thing by their clients, without bad behaviour and price gouging.
These are the operators currently doing 80% of the towing work around the state, who will soon be unable to make ends meet, and quietly close their doors.
Bankrupting family-owned businesses is no good for anyone
If you’re a legitimate tow truck driver or operator, we invite you to apply to join us today. Screening will apply.