Is roadside assistance provided in Australia?

If your vehicle breaks down during your road trip and the damage is not your fault, then there may be no charge for roadside assistance, but if the damage is your fault, substantial charges might be incurred. Roadside assistance coverage varies between rental companies and many offer paid packages to expand their baseline offer. Read our VroomVroomVroom guide to learn how the extra coverage provided by roadside assistance packages can be a worthwhile investment.

What is roadside assistance?

Roadside assistance is a service where, if something goes wrong with your car, assistance is dispatched to you to address whatever the problem is. Typical roadside assistance requests vary from minor issues such as lost keys, keys locked in the vehicle, or a flat tyre, through to serious mechanical issues that stop the car from being driveable. Hire car providers tend to organise these into two categories — those that are covered by the standard roadside assistance package that comes with the rental vehicle; and those that are only covered if the renter purchases a premium roadside assistance package.

What does roadside assistance usually cover?

All rental cars come with a basic rental assistance package which covers issues such as mechanical breakdown — where the car breaks down through no fault of the driver — and in these situations, roadside assistance is typically free. In most other cases however — like a flat tyre or lost keys — the assistance required is not complimentary, and you can face hefty charges.

The table below summarises a selection of common non-mechanical issues and if the paid roadside assistance package offered by rental companies covers them.

¹ conditions apply
² through NRMA and RACWA

Depending on the provider, certain conditions apply to services that require additional accessories. For example, if your rental car needs a new battery, you’re responsible for the replacement cost and it may be charged directly to your credit card.

When you pick up your rental car, ask about your provider’s roadside assistance packages, and check their Terms and Conditions for a complete list of inclusions and exclusions. To further reduce your financial liability in the event of a road accident, consider purchasing excess reduction.

How much does rental car roadside assistance cost?

Rental car providers usually charge a call-out fee each time roadside assistance is requested. Call-out fees are per-service charges added to the cost of your rental whenever you request roadside assistance.

To prevent a high call-out bill, some rental car providers offer roadside assistance packages that waive the call-out fee. In most cases, these packages are an additional daily fee added to the cost of the rental. See the following table for a list of call-out fees and roadside assistance packages from selected hire car providers.

*Subject to change, figures correct as of 16 March 2026.

What to do if your rental car breaks down

When you have a problem with your rental car on the road, here’s what you need to do:

Will I get a replacement car if my hire car can’t be fixed?

Yes, if the vehicle breaks down on its own or acquires irreparable damages from a car accident, hire car providers will usually offer a replacement car but may charge your credit card for damages they consider to be your responsibility. Please refer to your provider’s Terms and Conditions for further details.

Towing your rental car

Car towing is often included in roadside assistance packages, but to a certain distance only. If the tow truck surpasses the maximum distance stated in your roadside assistance policy while taking your rental car to the depot, the rental car provider will likely charge you a transportation fee.

Driving in remote areas of Australia

If you’re driving in remote locations with limited mobile coverage this may impact on roadside assistance call-outs and result in longer waiting times. Always keep the rental company's emergency hotline numbers, and having the numbers for local government agencies is also a prudent step.

Remember that some outback locations have rough, unsealed roads that are off-limits to hire cars. Damages caused by off-roading — which is prohibited — will be the renter’s responsibility and will result in additional charges.

Rental car provider emergency roadside assistance numbers

Important Information

Towing service

In the unlikely event that the roadside assistance personnel is unable to fix your vehicle, they will need to tow your vehicle to a mechanic. Please note that depending on your Roadside Assistance provider, there may be a limitation on towing distances, and Roadside Assistance Fees may also apply. It is highly recommended to check your rental policy for details at the time of pick up.