Scenario 16: Having a car accident

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If you are involved in an accident, you must pull over provide assistance and exchange car registration numbers and contact information.

Call an ambulance and the Police (000) for help if anyone is injured.

Even if you hit a parked car, you must leave your contact information.

Contact the police if the other driver did not give their details or if you feel unsafe.

Contact your insurance company to report the accident, even if you are not making a claim.

Every year, you must register your car and pay the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) levy to get Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP) to cover personal injury.

You have the option of buying property insurance. Third Party Property insurance (TPP) covers repairs to another car if you caused the accident. It doesn't cover repairs to your car. Comprehensive Property insurance (CP) covers all damage. As long as you were not doing something illegal such as drink-driving it will also cover your car repairs.

If you caused the accident and do not have property insurance, you should seek legal advice. Lawyers may help you reduce the amount you have to pay the other driver. Contact your local Community Legal Centre for free, confidential advice about what to do.

Learn more about issues like this

What to do after an accident

Purchasing a car

Learn more about the people and places that can help

Free Legal Help

Lawyers are here to help you. They can give you clear directions about what to do next based on what you want, and they can do things for you like talk to other people, speak in court and draft documents. If you speak to a lawyer, they cannot tell anyone what you have said – including migration authorities, police and family. What you tell them won’t affect your visa, work or education.

Community Legal Centres (CLCs)

Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent community organisations that provide free and confidential legal services to the public. They help people who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a private lawyer.

They can provide free legal information, advice and in some cases ongoing assistance to you as an international student.