Is roadside assistance provided in Australia?

By Vroom Team • Reviewed 16 Mar 2026

Roadside assistance offerings vary from one rental provider to another. Read on to find out more.

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 providers and many offer paid packages to expand their baseline offer. Read on 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. Rental 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 providers covers them.

Rental car provider	Battery replacement	Car key replacement	Tyre change	Jumpstart	Car unlock	Refuelling/ charging	Towing
Alpha	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Andy’s Auto Rentals	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅¹	✅¹
Avis	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅¹	✅¹
Bargain Car Rentals	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Budget	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅¹	✅¹
Dollar	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
East Coast	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Europcar	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Everything Fleet	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Hertz	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
No Birds²	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Redspot	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅¹	❌
Sixt	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Thrifty	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌

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.

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 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 rental car providers.

Rental car provider	Call-out fee*	Roadside assistance daily rate*
Alpha	AU$180.00	AU$5.50
Andy’s Auto Rentals	AU$159.00	AU$2.50
Avis	AU$255.62	Varies by location
Bargain Car Rentals	AU$180.00	AU$4.99
Budget	AU$255.62	Varies by location
Dollar	Varies by location	Varies by location
East Coast	AU$114.00–AU$145.00	AU$5.50
Europcar	Varies by location	Varies by location
Everything Fleet	Varies by location	Varies by location
Hertz	AU$165.00	AU$3.00
No Birds	Varies by location	Varies by location
Redspot	AU$253.00	AU$10.84++
Sixt	AU$165.00	Varies by location
Thrifty	Varies by location	Varies by location

*Subject to change, figures correct as of March 16, 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:

Pull over safely and turn on your hazard lights.
Call your provider’s emergency number as stated in your Rental Agreement.
Do not arrange your own repairs. Let the roadside assistance provider assess the situation.
Wait for further instructions from the provider.

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, rental 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 provider’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 rental 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

Rental car provider	Emergency hotline
Alpha	1300 227 473
Andy’s Auto Rentals	07 3806 3493
Avis	1800 063 973
Bargain Car Rentals	1300 729 230
Budget	1800 656 550
Dollar	1800 501 967
East Coast	1800 648 058
Europcar	1300 13 13 90
Everything Fleet	07 3156 8000
Hertz	1800 996 010
No Birds	13 11 11 (NRMA) / 1300 138 306 (RACWA)
Redspot	1800 648 058
Sixt	1800 811 506
Thrifty	1300 367 227

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.

About the author

Vroom Team

VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.