ATO benchmarks for tow truck operators
Tow truck operators earn from accident towing, breakdowns, vehicle transport and storage, paid by motorists, insurers, motoring clubs and businesses, while trucks, fuel and drivers are their main costs.
General information
Total expenses as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 to $200,000 | 2023-24 | 55% | 70% |
| $50,000 to $200,000 | 2022-23 | 54% | 72% |
| $200,001 to $500,000 | 2023-24 | 61% | 78% |
| $200,001 to $500,000 | 2022-23 | 63% | 80% |
| More than $500,000 | 2023-24 | 73% | 86% |
| More than $500,000 | 2022-23 | 75% | 88% |
Australian Taxation Office, Small Business Benchmarks, key ratios for 2023-24 and 2022-23 (data.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What sits behind these figures in the books
- The main day-to-day expenses are fuel, truck servicing and tyres, truck finance or lease payments, insurance, yard rent, dispatch software, phones and driver costs.
- Tilt trays, tow trucks and winches are recorded as equipment, while their servicing, hydraulic repairs and tyres go to running costs, so the purchase of a truck is kept separate.
- Subcontractor invoices for overflow jobs and yard costs are entered as they arrive, and personal spending stays off the business fuel cards, so total expenses cover only the towing work.
Sources
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2023-24 financial year, released 16 March 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2022-23 financial year, released 17 March 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
Get your books in order
Cost of sales and total expenses are only as reliable as the books behind them. Tell us how your business runs and we will suggest a bookkeeping plan that fits.