Roadside Assistance via Satellite Expands to Australia

Monday September 15, 2025 1:59 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Roadside Assistance via Satellite is now available in Australia, allowing Australian iPhone users to get help if their car breaks down in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

apple roadside assistance
According to Apple, Roadside Assistance via Satellite can be used in Australia to get help from NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT.

Using the feature requires an iPhone 14 or later with satellite capabilities, and iOS 18.4 or later. There continues to be no charge for Apple's satellite services, though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.

Both Australians and international travelers who visit Australia are able to use the Roadside Assistance feature.

Prior to now, Roadside Assistance via Satellite was limited to the United States and United Kingdom. Apple says that it is working to bring the functionality to additional regions.

Tags: Australia, Emergency SOS via Satellite, iPhone Satellite Features

Popular Stories

Emergency SOS via Satellite Expands to Two More Countries

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:50 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Andorra and Iceland, according to an updated Apple support document. Available on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Emergency SOS via satellite allows you to text emergency services when you are in a supported area without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. The feature requires iOS 26.4 and watchOS 26.4 or later in Andorra and...

• 11 comments

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Sunday August 16, 2026 8:24 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the...

Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?

Friday August 14, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by Juli Clover

For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...

• 119 comments

Top Rated Comments

Radeon85

12 months ago

Considering how large Australia is, I'm surprised it wasn't there already. Sod all coverage in the outback looking at their coverage map, so this should be great for a backup.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

aussie-reader

12 months ago

''though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.''

Did that really need clarifying? lol

That would probably be a "Yes" so people do not assume it would be free to all.

In Australia several of the services provided by satellite would usually be free to Australians. The Roadside Assistance would probably also be free (up to certain limits) if you are a member of any one of the organisations listed as they have sharing arrangements in place. If you are not a member then you may have to pay depending upon where you are needing help.

Travel insurance should cover most of the fees for non Australians again up to the limits of the policy.

There are also free regional services, for example if they are in the area that I manage all services provided are free 24x7 to everybody from anywhere as there is a high risk to people who become stranded for whatever reason and we do not want the issue of a future bill to stop them calling for help. We do accept donations though ...

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

kirky29

12 months ago

That would have been pretty handy for me a few years ago when I travelled for a few years! I broke down not far from Wolf Creek (Yes, that Wolf Creek) and another time a couple of hours away from Alice Springs. Fun times 🤣

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)