What to Do After a Car Accident in Australia

Photo: sv1ambo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

After a crash anywhere in Australia you must stop, help anyone injured and give your details to the other people involved. When you must call or report to police depends on your state or territory. This checklist covers the legal duties for learners, P platers and supervisors, the reporting rules in each state, and what to do about tow trucks.

The crash checklist

Stop. Every state requires you to stop at a crash you are involved in. SA’s handbook spells out that failing to stop is an offence.
Make the scene safe. Turn on your hazard lights. Switch off the ignition of crashed vehicles to reduce the risk of fire (NSW, TAS, ACT, NT).
Warn other traffic. Use warning triangles if you have them. The NT handbook says place them 50 to 150 metres behind. WA says up to 50 metres in a built-up area and up to 200 metres on high-speed roads.
Help anyone injured. Call 000 if anyone is hurt or killed, or there is danger such as fire.
Exchange details with the other drivers and the owner of any damaged property (list below).
Clear debris such as broken glass from the road, but only if it is safe (NSW, SA, NT, WA).
Report to police if your state’s rules require it (table below).
Choose your own tow truck and read the towing form before you sign.

What details do you have to exchange?

your name and address
the name and address of the vehicle’s owner, if you are not the owner
the vehicle’s registration number
any other information needed to identify the vehicle (SA, TAS)

In Tasmania you must give these details within 24 hours to other drivers, anyone injured, and the owner of any damaged property. Note the other driver’s details too, plus the names of any witnesses.

When must you report a crash to police?

State or territory	Report to police when	Time limit
NSW	Police attend if anyone is trapped, killed or injured, a driver seems affected by alcohol or drugs, someone fails to stop or exchange details, or a bus or truck must be towed. If police do not attend, report if a vehicle is towed, property is damaged, animals are injured, or you could not give your details	As soon as possible, within 24 hours. Police Assistance Line 131 444
Victoria	Anyone is injured and police are not at the scene, or property is damaged and the owner (or police) is not present	Report at the nearest open police station
Queensland	Anyone is killed or injured, a vehicle is towed or carried away, or a driver does not give the required details	As soon as possible and, except in exceptional circumstances, within 24 hours. Towed vehicle only: online, on Policelink 131 444 or at a police station. Death, injury or suspected alcohol or drugs: at a police station, unless attending police take the report
WA	Anyone is injured, there is more than $3,000 damage in total, or the owner of damaged property is not present	The handbook directs injury crash reports to crashreport.com.au
SA	Death or injury: report to a police officer at the scene or a police station. Other crashes: report unless the only damage is to your own property or the damage is less than $3,000	Injury: within 90 minutes, for alcohol and drug testing. Other: no later than 24 hours
Tasmania	Anyone is injured or killed, you did not give your details to another driver at the time, or a vehicle has to be towed	Within 24 hours
ACT	All crashes must be reported. Police need not attend if damage is only minor	As soon as possible, within 24 hours
NT	If police do not attend: a vehicle is towed, property is damaged or animals are injured, or you could not give your details	As soon as possible, within 24 hours

Damage thresholds and reporting channels can change. Check the current rule with your state police before relying on a figure. The SA figures are from the February 2026 Driver’s Handbook.

Penalties for not stopping

Leaving the scene of an injury crash is treated very seriously. The Victorian handbook says you can be fined over $140,000 and/or jailed for up to 10 years, and lose your licence for at least two years. NSW and WA say you can be fined and sent to prison. Check the current penalty with your state, as the handbooks may lag the law.

Learners, P platers and supervisors after a crash

Expect a breath test. In NSW, police can breath-test a supervisor involved in a crash, and you must not refuse a blood or urine test if asked after a crash.
In SA, the driver in an injury crash must report to police within 90 minutes so they can be tested for alcohol and drugs.
Zero alcohol rules for L and P drivers apply at the crash scene the same as on the road. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.
A crash can lead to demerit points or charges that affect your provisional licence. See P plate rules compared.

Crashes involving a truck with a dangerous load

Call police or the fire brigade on 000.
Warn people away from the crash.
Do not touch spilled chemicals or breathe the fumes or dust.
Look for the Emergency Procedures Guide in a holder on the truck driver’s door, and follow it if safe (NSW, ACT, NT).

Tow trucks after a crash

You have the right to decide who tows your car and where it goes (NSW, NT, SA).
NSW: an authorised tow truck has a number plate with four numbers ending in “TT”. You must sign a Towing Authorisation Form, and you can contact someone (such as a mechanic) before signing.
SA: only tow trucks in the Accident Towing Roster Scheme can attend crashes in greater metropolitan Adelaide. Write where you want the car taken before you sign the Authority to Tow form.
WA: it is an offence for a tow operator to force, trick, threaten or pester you to sign. Call your insurer first and ask which company they are sending.
Queensland: you arrange your own tow, directly, through your insurer or with an operator at the scene, unless injury prevents you. In regulated areas (most major towns and cities), only an accredited tow truck driver may approach you about towing. You or your agent must sign a fully completed towing authority form first, showing the tow and storage costs and where the car is going. A standard tow has a regulated maximum fee, and comprehensive insurance may pay for it. After a minor crash you can refuse if your car is safe to drive.
Victoria: the handbook gives 13 11 76 for a tow truck.

If you see a crash or breakdown

Slow down and keep a safe distance. Do not let the scene distract you from the road (WA).
When passing a stopped tow truck or breakdown vehicle with flashing lights in NSW: slow to 40 km/h where the limit is 80 km/h or less. Above 80 km/h, slow down and move over if safe. See emergency vehicle slow down rules.
If you stop to help, park safely and check for traffic before you get out.

If your car breaks down

Pull over as far left as you can, ideally in a breakdown lane or emergency stopping lane.
Turn on your hazard lights, and your headlights in poor light.
If it is safe, get out on the side away from traffic and stand behind a barrier. If it is not safe, stay in the car with your seatbelt on.
Call roadside assistance. Do not change a tyre on a freeway or busy road (VIC, NSW).

In a NSW tunnel, stay in the car with the hazard lights and radio on. Major tunnels are monitored.

Common questions

Do I have to call the police after a minor crash?

Not to the scene in most states, if no one is hurt and no car needs towing. You may still have to report it within 24 hours, depending on the state and the damage. In the ACT, every crash must be reported.

What if the other driver will not give me their details?

A driver failing to exchange information is one of the reasons police attend in NSW and the NT. Report it to police.

I hit a parked car and the owner is not around. What do I do?

Leave your details and report the crash to police. Victoria, WA and SA all require a report when the owner of damaged property is not present.

Can I move my car after a crash?

Yes, if it is blocking traffic. The ACT handbook says the law does not require the vehicle to stay where it stopped. Queensland police also advise moving cars off the road for non-emergency crashes if safe.

What number do I call for police if no one is hurt?

131 444 is the Police Assistance Line in NSW, Queensland and SA. Use 000 for emergencies.

I am a learner. Who is responsible after a crash?

You are the driver, so you must stop, help and exchange details. In NSW, police can also breath-test your supervisor.

Sources

Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
Queensland Police Service, “Traffic crash FAQs” and “What to do in a traffic crash” (police.qld.gov.au)
Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995”, section 93, current as at 21 September 2026 (legislation.qld.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Your keys to driving in Queensland”, No. 19, November 2022, complete PDF, What to do at a crash and Tow trucks (pp. 157 to 159) (publications.qld.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook”, February 2026 (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules, Version 2.1” (transport.tas.gov.au)
Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)

What to Do After a Car Accident in Australia: Legal Duties