<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001046102</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RITCHIE BROS AUCTIONEERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RBA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001787804</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Taylor Kari R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9500 GLENLYON PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BURNABY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>A1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>V5J 0C6</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, US Regions</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>38.31</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2019-08-12</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2029-08-12</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>46676</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Share Units (RSUs) - 2019</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5080</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option was granted on August 12, 2019 and vests in three equal annual installments beginning August 12, 2020.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Date of expiration is reflected above; provided, however, that if such date occurs during a black out period (as defined in the RBA Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan) applicable to the reporting person or within five business day (as defined in such Plan) after the last day of a black out period applicable to the person, the expiry date for the option will be the last day of such five business day period.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The RSUs vest on 8/11/2022.  The common shares underlying vested RSUs or the cash value equivalent thereof (determined in accordance with the Amended and Restated Senior Executive Restricted Share Unit Plan) will be paid to the reporting person, net of tax, as soon as practicable following the end of the month in which the RSUs vest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive the economic equivalent of one RBA common share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Maria Teresa Punsalan as attorney-in-fact for Kari R Taylor</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-09-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
