That rusty sedan that's been gathering dust and cobwebs on your street for months isn't just an eyesore—it could be costing someone hundreds of dollars in fines and fees.
With councils across Australia cracking down on abandoned vehicles, understanding the rules has never been more important.
When a parked car becomes a costly problem
The City of Sydney council receives hundreds of complaints about abandoned cars every year, with NSW councils collectively receiving thousands of reports annually concerning dumped or abandoned vehicles.
But what many Australians don't realise is just how quickly those parking costs can spiral once authorities get involved.
In NSW, vehicle owners who ignore removal notices face penalties of up to $660, but that's just the beginning.
Once towed, storage fees kick in at $23 per day in Sydney metro areas and $14 per day in regional NSW—charges that accumulate every single day until the vehicle is collected.
'Liverpool City Council is committed to keeping our streets safe, clean, and welcoming. But we rely on the eyes and ears of our residents to help us respond quickly.'
Victoria's councils can be even more expensive. In Port Phillip, the release fee alone is $655, with additional storage charges of $30 per day. For a vehicle stored for just two weeks, that's an extra $420 on top of the release fee—nearly $1,100 total.
The rules vary dramatically across Australia
While the original problem remains the same everywhere—cars left unattended for extended periods—the specific rules and timeframes differ significantly depending on where you live.
New South Wales: The 28-day rule
Registered vehicles can stay parked in one spot for 28 days provided they are in good order and parked in line with NSW road rules. However, if a vehicle is unregistered, or registered but cannot be legally driven due to damage, and it has been in the same place for 15 days or more, councils can begin removal proceedings.
The NSW Government has brought in new rules under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to crack down on abandoned vehicles left on public land.
Victoria: The two-month monitoring period
If a vehicle is registered and has not moved for more than 2 months, councils may investigate the vehicle as abandoned. However, if a vehicle is currently registered and councils confirm the owner is living in the area, they do not typically consider these vehicles to be abandoned.
Queensland and Tasmania: Registration is key
If a vehicle is registered and is not parked illegally or dangerously, it won't be considered abandoned. Both states focus primarily on unregistered vehicles for enforcement action.
Western Australia and South Australia: The 24-hour rule
In some council areas, vehicles can be reported as abandoned after just 24 hours, though enforcement varies by location.
How to report an abandoned vehicle properly
Before making a report, gather this information:
Vehicle make, model, and colour
Registration number (if visible)
Condition of the vehicle (damaged, missing parts, flat tyres)
Exact location (street address or nearest landmark)
Date and time you first noticed it
Photos of the vehicle and its position
Contact your local council directly or use their online reporting system. For NSW residents, you can also use the Report Illegal Dumping online tool.
What happens during the removal process
Understanding the removal process can help you navigate the system, whether you're reporting a vehicle or worried about your own car being towed.
When a vehicle is left unattended and unregistered on any public road or other Council property, Rangers advise the last registered owner by a formal Notice of Intention to Impound.
The vehicle must be re-registered within a prescribed period or removed to private property. The Notice lists all fees, charges and penalties applicable for non-compliance.
Council investigations can take anywhere from 21 to 90 days, depending on the registration status. If the vehicle remains unmoved for 2 months during the investigation and councils are unable to contact the owner or driver, they may remove and impound the vehicle.
The auction alternative
Not all abandoned vehicles end up in the scrap heap. ACT Government abandoned goods and vehicles are available for purchase every Thursday from 9 am, with goods and vehicles being sold online through Pickles auctions.
Common reasons vehicles get abandoned
Understanding why people abandon vehicles can help prevent the problem: Cost of repairs—owners may not afford repairs and choose to abandon the vehicle instead. Unregistered or unroadworthy vehicles—cars that can't pass inspections or re-registration might be dumped.
Financial struggles—some people abandon vehicles when they cannot afford insurance, registration, or repairs.
Cost breakdown across Australia
- NSW: $660 fine + $23/day storage (metro) or $14/day (regional)
- Victoria: $655 release fee + $30/day storage (Port Phillip example)
- Queensland: Penalties vary by council
- WA: Penalties up to $12,000 for illegal dumping
- SA: Council-determined fees
- All states: Additional towing costs typically $200-400
Your rights and responsibilities
Whether you're reporting an abandoned vehicle or concerned about your own car, it's important to understand both sides of the equation.
As a reporter, you're helping maintain community standards and safety. These vehicles can become a public nuisance, creating safety hazards, attracting vandalism, or even becoming environmental risks.
As a vehicle owner, even registered cars aren't immune from being reported if they remain stationary for extended periods.
Some resident vehicles may be parked for longer periods than others (for example, if residents are using sustainable transport options as their primary form of transport and not often using their vehicle, or if they go on holidays) and councils take this into account when undertaking their investigations.
The 2025 reality check
Towing fees across Sydney are regulated and updated annually by NSW Fair Trading. These rates are designed to protect consumers from price gouging and ensure transparency in the towing industry. As of July 1, 2025, the maximum towing charges (for light vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes) are regulated under NSW Fair Trading guidelines.
The message from councils is clear: they want community cooperation, not surprises. By understanding the rules and reporting appropriately, we can all help keep our neighbourhoods tidy while avoiding costly mistakes.
Have you encountered an abandoned vehicle in your neighbourhood? What was your experience with reporting it to your local council? Share your story in the comments below—your experience could help other readers navigate this surprisingly complex issue.
Original Article
https://au.news.yahoo.com/little-known-660-fine-for-common-roadside-gripe-report-it-065704303.html
Abandoned or Dumped Vehicles NSW—How To Report & Remove
Cited text: According to reports from various councils: The City of Sydney council receives hundreds of complaints about abandoned cars every year. NSW councils c...
Excerpt: The City of Sydney council receives hundreds of complaints about abandoned cars every year, with NSW councils collectively receiving thousands of reports annually concerning dumped or abandoned vehicles.
https://towingsydney.com.au/abandoned-or-dumped-vehicles-how-to-report-and-remove-them/
How Much Does A Towing Cost In Sydney NSW 2025
Cited text:
Holding/Storage Fees Charged per 24-hour period after towing, when the vehicle is stored at a holding yard. Location Fee (per 24 hrs) Sydney Metro ...
Excerpt: Once towed, storage fees kick in at $23 per day in Sydney metro areas and $14 per day in regional NSW
https://towingsydney.com.au/how-much-does-a-towing-cost/
Report or reclaim an unregistered or abandoned vehicle—City of Port Phillip
Cited text: The fee to have your vehicle released from impound is $655.00. There will be additional storage fees charged of $30 per day.
Excerpt: In Port Phillip, the release fee alone is $655, with additional storage charges of $30 per day.
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/...andoned-vehicles-report-one-or-reclaim-yours/
Report an abandoned or dumped vehicle | Service NSW
Cited text: Note: Registered vehicles can stay parked in one spot for 28 days provided they are in good order and parked in line with NSW road rules.
Excerpt: Registered vehicles can stay parked in one spot for 28 days provided they are in good order and parked in line with NSW road rules.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/report-an-abandoned-or-dumped-vehicle
Report an abandoned or dumped vehicle | Service NSW
Cited text: ... unregistered, or registered but cannot be legally driven due to damage, and it has been in the same place for 15 days or more, contact your local ...
Excerpt: if a vehicle is unregistered, or registered but cannot be legally driven due to damage, and it has been in the same place for 15 days or more
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/report-an-abandoned-or-dumped-vehicle
Abandoned or Dumped Vehicles NSW—Towing Sydney
Cited text: The NSW Government has brought in new rules under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to crack down on abandoned vehicles left on public ...
Excerpt: The NSW Government has brought in new rules under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to crack down on abandoned vehicles left on public land.
https://towingsydney.com.au/abandoned-or-dumped-vehicles-how-to-report-and-remove-them/
Report or reclaim an unregistered or abandoned vehicle—City of Port Phillip
Cited text: If a vehicle is registered and has not moved for more than 2 months, we may investigate the vehicle as abandoned.
Excerpt: If a vehicle is registered and has not moved for more than 2 months, councils may investigate the vehicle as abandoned.
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/...andoned-vehicles-report-one-or-reclaim-yours/
Report or reclaim an unregistered or abandoned vehicle—City of Port Phillip
Cited text: If a vehicle is currently registered and we confirm the owner is living in the area, we do not typically consider these vehicles to be abandoned.
Excerpt: if a vehicle is currently registered and councils confirm the owner is living in the area, they do not typically consider these vehicles to be abandoned.
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/...andoned-vehicles-report-one-or-reclaim-yours/
Report a stolen, damaged or abandoned vehicle | Your rights, crime and the law | Queensland Government
Cited text: If a vehicle is registered and is not parked illegally or dangerously, it won’t be considered abandoned.
Excerpt: If a vehicle is registered and is not parked illegally or dangerously, it won't be considered abandoned.
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/crime-an.../report-a-stolen-damaged-or-abandoned-vehicle
Abandoned vehicles—North Sydney Council
Cited text: When a vehicle is left unattended and unregistered on any public road or other Council property, Rangers advise the last registered owner by a formal ...
Excerpt: When a vehicle is left unattended and unregistered on any public road or other Council property, Rangers advise the last registered owner by a formal Notice of Intention to Impound.
https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/parking-enforcement/abandoned-vehicles
Report or reclaim an unregistered or abandoned vehicle—City of Port Phillip
Cited text: When you report a suspected abandoned vehicle, we investigate by: ... If the vehicle remains unmoved for 2 months during our investigation and we are ...
Excerpt: Council investigations can take anywhere from 21 to 90 days, depending on the registration status.
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/...andoned-vehicles-report-one-or-reclaim-yours/
Abandoned vehicles—City Services
Cited text: ACT Government abandoned goods and vehicles are available for purchase every Thursday from 9 am. Goods and vehicles being sold can be viewed and purch...
Excerpt: ACT Government abandoned goods and vehicles are available for purchase every Thursday from 9 am, with goods and vehicles being sold online through Pickles auctions.
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/public-land/maintenance/abandoned-vehicles
Abandoned or Dumped Vehicles NSW—How To Report & Remove
Cited text: Cost of Repairs—Owners may not afford repairs and choose to abandon the vehicle instead. Unregistered or Unroadworthy Vehicles—Cars that can’t pas...
Excerpt: Understanding why people abandon vehicles can help prevent the problem: Cost of repairs—owners may not afford repairs and choose to abandon the vehicle instead.
https://towingsydney.com.au/abandoned-or-dumped-vehicles-how-to-report-and-remove-them/
Abandoned or Dumped Vehicles NSW—How To Report & Remove
Cited text: These vehicles can become a public nuisance, creating safety hazards, attracting vandalism, or even becoming environmental risks.
Excerpt: These vehicles can become a public nuisance, creating safety hazards, attracting vandalism, or even becoming environmental risks.
https://towingsydney.com.au/abandoned-or-dumped-vehicles-how-to-report-and-remove-them/
Report or reclaim an unregistered or abandoned vehicle—City of Port Phillip
Cited text: Please be aware some resident vehicles may be parked for longer periods of time than other vehicles (for example, if residents are using sustainable t...
Excerpt: Some resident vehicles may be parked for longer periods than others (for example, if residents are using sustainable transport options as their primary form of transport and not often using their vehicle, or if they go on holidays) and…
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/...andoned-vehicles-report-one-or-reclaim-yours/
Abandoned or Dumped Vehicles NSW—Towing Sydney
Cited text: Towing fees across Sydney are regulated and updated annually by NSW Fair Trading. These rates are designed to protect consumers from price gouging and...
Excerpt: Towing fees across Sydney are regulated and updated annually by NSW Fair Trading.
https://towingsydney.com.au/abandoned-or-dumped-vehicles-how-to-report-and-remove-them/
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