A collision, even a minor nose-to-tail, triggers a chain of legal duties that start the moment you pull over: make the scene safe, help anyone hurt, swap details, decide whether police need to attend, then file the official crash report with your state or territory—and do it all within the prescribed time-frames. Missing a single step can mean fines, demerit points, or an insurer refusing to pay out.
This practical walk-through shows you exactly how to cover every base, from that first phone call to Triple Zero through to the online forms each authority uses across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT. You’ll see the evidence you must collect, the deadlines that apply, and the shortcuts that speed up your insurance claim. Follow along and you’ll protect your licence, preserve your right to compensation, and keep the paperwork headache to a minimum—so you can focus on getting the car fixed and life back on the road.
Step 1: Make the Scene Safe and Call for Help
Before you worry about forms or fault, Australian road law says you must first stop and render assistance. The quicker you secure the crash site, the lower the risk of a secondary collision, fire or avoidable injury—and the easier it is later when you’re working out how to report a vehicle accident to police and insurers.
Stop, assess and prevent further danger
Cut the engine, take a breath and run through this quick safety drill:
- Switch off ignition and remove keys
- Engage handbrake and select “Park”
- Turn on hazard lights (use headlights if visibility is poor)
- Put on a high-vis vest if you carry one
- Place a warning triangle 50–100 m behind the wreck if safe
- Keep clear of leaking fuel or hot fluids
If the car can roll, steer or push it to the shoulder. Only stay in a live lane when moving the vehicle would endanger injured people or destroy evidence in a serious crash.
Calling emergency services: deciding factors
Dial Triple Zero (000) when anyone is hurt, a vehicle can’t be moved, the road is blocked, there’s fire, a fuel or chemical spill, or you suspect drink/drug-driving. For non-urgent police assistance—say, a minor prang where everyone is standing and traffic is flowing—call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Have ready:
- Exact location (street, nearest cross-street, GPS coordinate or roadside marker)
- Number of vehicles and occupants
- Apparent injuries
- Hazards (downed power lines, animals, debris)
Stay on the line until the operator releases you.
Providing initial assistance to injured persons
Follow the basic DRSABCD first-aid sequence:
- Danger—check it’s safe to approach
- Response—talk, tap, ask
- Send for help—000 if not already done
- Airway—clear obstructions
- Breathing—look, listen, feel
- CPR—30 compressions : 2 breaths if no breathing
- Defibrillation—attach an AED if available
Don’t move casualties with suspected spinal, head or pelvic injuries unless they’re in immediate danger (e.g. fire). Ask bystanders to collect blankets, first-aid kits or control traffic.
When the vehicle must remain in place
Leave the vehicles exactly where they stopped if:
- Someone is killed or seriously injured
- A heavy vehicle (GVM > 4.5 t) or bus is involved
- Dangerous goods are being transported
- Police instruct you to wait for investigators
Document the positions with photos before emergency crews or tow trucks arrive; those pictures may become crucial evidence later on.
Step 2: Collect the Information You’ll Need Later
Once the scene is stable, switch into record-keeping mode. Solid evidence is the grease that makes both the official crash report and the insurance claim glide through—missing photos or phone numbers can add weeks. Think like an investigator: capture what you see, what you hear and what you exchange before memories fade or vehicles disappear on tow trucks.
Compulsory exchange of driver and vehicle details
Australian Road Rules require every involved driver to give—on request—the following:
- Full name and current residential address
- Driver’s licence number and issuing state
- Phone or email contact
- Vehicle registration number, make and model
- Owner’s name and address if different from the driver
Refusing, or leaving without handing over these particulars, is an offence that can attract fines exceeding $3 000 and potential licence suspension in several states. Politely insist on the paperwork now; chasing it later is far harder.
Evidence gathering for your report
Pull out your phone (or dash-cam memory card) and work through this photo checklist:
- Wide shot of the whole scene showing vehicle positions
- Close-ups of each number plate and all visible damage
- Intersection controls—traffic lights, stop or give-way signs
- Skid marks, debris, fluid pools, road surface defects
- Visible injuries (with the person’s consent)
Video a slow 360-degree sweep and narrate what happened while it’s fresh. Back everything up to cloud storage before you leave. Ask eyewitnesses for:
- Name
- Best contact number/email
- Brief description of what they saw (record it on voice memo, if agreeable)
Recording environmental and road conditions
Small details often settle disputes about fault:
- Weather: raining, foggy, glaring sun, night-time lighting
- Road surface: wet, gravel, potholes, oil slicks
- Traffic density and prevailing speed
- Time and precise location (GPS coordinate or kilometre post)
- Temporary hazards—roadworks signs, parked trucks, wildlife
Note them in your phone or jot them on the back of a fuel receipt; you’ll need this context when filling in the online forms that ask how to report a vehicle accident accurately.
Step 3: Decide If Police Need to Attend or Be Notified Immediately
Before you jump online to lodge the crash report, work out whether police have to be called now. Each state sets slightly different triggers, but the national golden rule is simple: if someone is hurt, the road is blocked or a crime may have been committed, ring 000 (or 131 444 when it’s non-urgent) and wait for instructions. Getting this call wrong can turn an everyday bingle into a court date and may give an insurer grounds to knock back your claim.
Mandatory attendance triggers nationwide
Police must attend, or be contacted straight away, when any of the following apply:
- Death or any personal injury (even whiplash complaints)
- Hit-and-run or a driver who won’t exchange details
- Suspected drink- or drug-driving, street racing or road rage
- Unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured driver involved
- Dangerous goods vehicle, fuel or chemical spill
- Vehicles can’t be moved and are blocking traffic
- Damage to public infrastructure (traffic lights, guard rails)
If in doubt, call; the operator will decide.
Property-damage thresholds and special rules by state
| State/Territory | Must notify police at scene when… |
|---|---|
| NSW | Any vehicle needs towing or government property is hit |
| VIC | Injury, hazard, or police presence requested by an involved party |
| QLD | Injury, impaired driver, or major obstruction; non-injury can be online |
| WA | Estimated damage exceeds $3,000 or a tow truck is required |
| SA | Tow required, injury, or driver fails to stop/exchange details |
| TAS | Injury, blocked road, or public property damage; minor crashes online within 28 days |
| ACT | All collisions must be reported within 24 h; call police if injury or blockage |
| NT | Injury, tow, or damage above $2,500 |
Consequences of failing to report
Skipping compulsory police notification can lead to:
- On-the-spot fines up to $5,000 and demerit points
- Possible criminal charges (e.g. failing to stop or render assistance)
- Insurers refusing cover for late advice or breach of policy terms
When weighing up how to report a vehicle accident, it’s always safer to dial and document first, argue later.
Step 4: Lodge the Official Crash Report with Your State or Territory Authority
Once the tow truck has left and the adrenaline drops, your next legal duty is to file the formal crash report. In most of Australia that means completing an online form from your couch; injuries, blocked roads or criminal behaviour still require a phone call or station visit. Time limits are tight—anywhere from 24 hours to 28 days—so set a reminder before the day gets away from you.
New South Wales (NSW)
Use the NSW Police Online Crash Reporting Portal for property-damage crashes where officers did not attend. Lodge within 24 hours; you’ll receive an Event Number that your insurer will want. If the portal is down or you prefer the phone, call the Police Assistance Line 131 444. Serious injury or towing? Police must attend the scene first.
Victoria (VIC)
Victoria still likes a chat: non-urgent crashes are reported by ringing 131 444 or visiting your local police station. If nobody was hurt and all parties swap details, complete Form 510 (Traffic Incident Report) within 24 hours. Injury claims go to the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) as a separate step.
Queensland (QLD)
The Policelink app, website or 131 444 phone line lets you report non-injury crashes within 24 hours. If anyone is hurt, ring Triple Zero at the scene, then submit a Medical Certificate and Notice of Accident Claim to the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) inside 28 days.
Western Australia (WA)
Any crash that needs towing or causes more than $3 000 damage must be reported “as soon as practicable” via the Online Crash Reporting Facility (OCRF). The same single form notifies WA Police and the Insurance Commission, saving a step. Keep the reference number for your insurer.
South Australia (SA)
SA Police follow the “Stop, Assist, Move, Exchange, Report” mantra. Lodge the online report within 24 hours for property-only damage; the system emails you a receipt. If a tow truck is required, or a driver refuses details, call 131 444 at the scene.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
EVERY collision, no matter how small, must be reported to ACT Policing within 24 hours—usually via the secure online collision form. Call 131 444 first if there are injuries, traffic hazards or an impaired driver.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania Police give you up to 28 days to file a non-attendance Traffic Crash Report online. You’ll still need to call or visit a station immediately if someone is injured, public infrastructure is hit or the road is blocked.
Northern Territory (NT)
In the NT a crash must be reported to police when injuries occur, a vehicle needs towing or damage exceeds $2 500. Phone 131 444 or attend the nearest station “without undue delay” (24 hours is the informal benchmark). Keep the receipt number for insurance and CTP paperwork.
Quick-glance reference table
| State / Territory | Online Portal | Phone line | Time limit* | Damage threshold for mandatory report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Crash Reporting Portal | 131 444 | 24 h | Tow or gov. property hit |
| VIC | — (Form 510 via station) | 131 444 | 24 h | Injury / hazard / request |
| QLD | Policelink | 131 444 | 24 h | Any crash (online if no injury) |
| WA | OCRF | 000 / 131 444 | ASAP | >$3 000 or tow |
| SA | SAPOL Online | 131 444 | 24 h | Tow, injury, fail to stop |
| ACT | ACT Policing form | 131 444 | 24 h | All crashes |
| TAS | Traffic Crash Report | Local station | 28 days | Injury / blockage immediate |
| NT | — | 131 444 | ~24 h | >$2 500, tow, injury |
*Time limit refers to filing when police did not attend the scene. If they did, obtain the Incident Number before you leave.
Knowing exactly where and when to file removes the stress of figuring out how to report a vehicle accident after the fact—and keeps both the cops and your insurer onside.
Step 5: Inform Your Insurer Without Delay
Even after you’ve ticked off the police paperwork, your policy still demands prompt notice—usually within 48 hours. Late or incomplete notification is one of the most common reasons claims get bogged down, so make the call (or lodge online/app) as soon as you’ve calmed your nerves and gathered the basics.
Information your insurer will ask for
Have these details at hand to avoid a back-and-forth:
- Policy number and current contact details
- Date, time and exact location of the crash
- Police Event/Report number and attending officer’s name (if any)
- Other driver’s name, rego, insurer and statement of fault (if given)
- Photos/videos, dash-cam files and witness contacts
- Tow-truck receipts and provisional repair quotes
- Any injuries, medical treatment or time off work already incurred
Uploading this bundle in one hit shortens the assessment queue dramatically.
Why early reporting protects you
- Compliance: Most PDS documents define “reasonable time” as 24–48 hours; miss it and the insurer can reduce or refuse benefits.
- Speed: Early notification activates hire-car cover, genuine parts authorisation and lifetime repair warranties sooner.
- Fraud prevention: Supplying evidence while it’s fresh helps the assessor fend off staged or exaggerated counter-claims.
Put simply, the sooner the claims team sees your file, the faster you’re back on the road.
Special considerations for commercial, rideshare and fleet vehicles
- Employer/Platform rules: Uber, Ola, DoorDash and fleet managers often require incident reports within the app or portal before the first passenger or delivery back on shift.
- Logbooks & telematics: Export GPS routes, fatigue-management logs and electronic work diaries—they’re gold for proving compliance with heavy-vehicle laws.
- GST & BAS: Keep tax invoices for repairs and towing; businesses can usually claim input tax credits.
- Multiple policies: Check whether the car, the driver and the load each sit under separate covers; notify all relevant insurers to avoid “other insurance” disputes.
A quick, well-documented claim lodgement is the final step in mastering how to report a vehicle accident without unpleasant surprises later.
Step 6: Follow State CTP and Personal Injury Reporting Rules
Property damage is only half the story. Every state runs a compulsory third-party (CTP) scheme that pays treatment, wage loss and care for anyone injured on the road—driver, passenger, rider or pedestrian. Lodging these injury forms on time is just as critical as working out how to report a vehicle accident to police; miss the statutory deadline and the insurer can trim or reject benefits.
Overview of state schemes
- NSW – icare / SIRA: “No-fault” benefits for the first six months, then fault is considered.
- VIC – TAC: Covers medical and income support regardless of fault, common-law rights if serious.
- QLD – MAIC: Fault-based; at-fault drivers are covered via the CTP insurer on their rego label.
- WA – ICWA: Similar fault model, with limited no-fault Catastrophic Injury support.
- SA – CTP Regulator: Hybrid scheme with defined benefits plus common-law action.
- TAS – MAIB: Pure no-fault benefits statewide.
- ACT – Lifetime Care & NIIS: Catastrophic injuries covered regardless of blame, other injuries fault-based.
- NT – TIO / NIISNT: No-fault for most injuries.
Time limits and key forms
| State | Main form | Lodge within* |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Motor Accident Notification Form (MANF) | 28 days (maximum 3 months) |
| VIC | TAC Claim Form | 12 months (90 days preferred) |
| QLD | Notice of Accident Claim Form (NOAC) | 28 days after seeing lawyer/doctor or 9 months absolute |
| WA | Crash Injury Claim (ICWA) | ASAP, 1 year absolute |
| SA | Injury Claim Form | 6 months |
| TAS | MAIB Claim Form | “As soon as practicable” (6 months limit) |
| ACT | Accident Notification Form | 13 weeks |
| NT | TIO Motor Accident Claim | 6 months |
*Counted from the date of crash or first medical consultation.
Medical evidence and ongoing treatment costs
Attach the initial medical certificate (or hospital discharge summary) with your claim. Keep:
- GP and specialist invoices
- Pharmacy receipts
- Physiotherapy/rehab accounts
- Proof of income loss (pay slips, BAS, tax returns)
Update the CTP insurer whenever treatment changes—pre-approval is often needed for surgery, long-term physio or workplace modifications. Meticulous record-keeping not only speeds reimbursement but also arms you with evidence should you later pursue a common-law damages action.
Step 7: Keep Records and Finalise the Process
Paperwork may feel endless, yet a neat trail of evidence is what turns a polite phone call into a paid-out claim. Once the towing dust settles, organise everything while dates, costs and conversations are still fresh. Good record-keeping also protects you if the other driver changes their story or the insurer queries how to report a vehicle accident months down the track.
Create and maintain an accident file
Set up a digital folder (plus a hard-copy envelope) and drop in:
- PDF of the police or online crash report
- Claim forms, insurer emails and SMS updates
- Photos/video, dash-cam footage and witness notes
- Repair quotes, tax invoices and tow receipts
- Medical bills, certificates and evidence of lost wages
- A running log of every phone call: date, time, who you spoke with, agreed actions
Tracking repair and claim progress
Most insurers offer an online portal or app—check it weekly. Confirm:
- Expected assessment and repair dates
- Whether you can choose your own repairer
- If lifetime repair warranties apply when you use preferred shops
- Salvage or write-off procedures, including payout calculation and transfer of registration plates
Resolving disputes or delays
If something stalls:
- Escalate through the insurer’s Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) team.
- Still unhappy after 30 days? Lodge a free complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
- For pure property damage under roughly $25 000 (varies by state), consider small-claims court—filing fees are low and lawyers are optional.
Keeping complete records arms you with the proof needed at every step.
Quick Recap & Next Move
Safeguard the scene, gather evidence, decide if police attendance is compulsory, lodge the official crash report, tell your insurer pronto, file any CTP injury paperwork and keep every scrap of documentation—those seven steps are the whole play-book on how to report a vehicle accident in Australia. Tick them off in that order and you’ll stay on the right side of the road rules, avoid nasty fines, and give both the police database and your insurer exactly what they need to pay up quickly. The upshot? Less stress, faster repairs, zero arguments about fault and, most importantly, full protection of your licence and bank balance. As a final check-up, ask yourself whether your current policy is really pulling its weight; if the premium feels bloated or the claims service has been hard work, it might be time for an upgrade. You can get an instant comparison, backed by a price-beat guarantee and claims experts who deal with the paperwork for you, at National Cover.
