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Ambulance Cover
Ambulance cover is included in extras health insurance. Starting at $3 a week, it's an affordable way to save yourself a major headache.
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Ambulance cover is a basic form of health insurance which means you won't be left out of pocket if you have to take an emergency ambulance trip to the hospital.
Unless you live in Queensland or Tasmania, an ambulance trip could easily end up costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That leaves you with a hefty bill to face as soon as you're feeling better.
Starting at around $3 a week, ambulance cover is an affordable way to make sure that doesn't happen.
Get a little more with your ambulance cover
Many extras policies in Australia include emergency ambulance cover, so you can often get a bit more bang for your buck. For example, the extras policies below from the Finder Partners include emergency ambulance cover and a limit for your annual dental check-up (plus a few other treatments).
What insurance covers ambulance?
Depending on the policy you take out, you can get covered for both emergency and non-emergency situations. Emergency ambulance is included in; Hospital, Extras, Ambulance only and State Subscription.
| Insurance | Level of cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | Hospital policies cost more because they include more options. A hospital policy would typically include a wide range of services and procedures in private hospitals that may come in handy during an emergency. | |
| Extras | Extras policies can help you cover the cost of things outside of hospital treatment, such as visits to the dentist, physio, and even remedial massage. Most extras plans, also include emergency ambulance cover. | |
| Ambulance only | The main benefit of choosing a standalone ambulance only policy is that it can include comprehensive cover for ambulance services Australia-wide and is generally more affordable than a hospital or extras policy. | |
| State subscription | Every state has different rules and fees. If you live in Queensland or Tasmania, lucky you because the cost is free. In Victoria, WA, SA, NT there's also an option to join a state subscription. |
The following health funds offer ambulance cover, prices are based on a single in Sydney (checked in August 2020):
Is ambulance cover compulsory?
Whether or not you need ambulance cover depends a lot on where you live. Some state governments provide their citizens with cover and others don't.
If you live in either Queensland or Tasmania, your state government has you covered. If you live in any other state, you'll be on the hook for the costs of ambulance transport. Below is a breakdown of how each state treats ambulance cover and the costs associated with travelling in an ambulance for each state.
Does Medicare cover ambulance?
No. Many Australians wrongly believe their ambulance costs will be covered by Medicare and this is incorrect. Unless you live in Queensland or Tasmania, you could be facing big call out costs.
AMBULANCE COVER - Finder Survey
Nearly one in three Australians wrongly believe ambulances are free under Medicare
30% – the equivalent of 5.7 million people – think that ambulance costs are wholly subsidised by the government.
One in ten (8%) have caught public transport because they didn’t want to pay for an ambulance.
Is standalone ambulance cover worth it?
Medicare doesn't cover ambulance fees. Since call out fees start at $392 in NSW, plus an additional charge of $3.54 per kilometer, it's worth getting insured against the costs of ambulance services.
But is standalone ambulance cover worth it? For instance, a standalone ambulance cover policy is likely to cost you around $40* a year but this covers you for emergency ambulances only. You can get the exact same service with extras cover for as little as $3* a week, but you'll also get routine dental, physiotherapy and chiropractic cover included.
If standalone ambulance cover is all you're interested in, then you don't need to consider extras. But if you want value for money, then go for an extras policy that also includes emergency ambulance and a range of other important health services. After all, you might not need an ambulance over the course of a year, but you'll definitely use dental and physiotherapy.
State by state comparison of ambulance costs
Did you know?
Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders are covered for state ambulance services in every state by the Department.
Nationwide
| Nationwide | Emergency ambulance call out fee starts at |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $959 |
| New South Wales | $382 |
| Northern Territories | $790 |
| Queensland | $0 |
| South Australia | $976 |
| Tasmania | $0 |
| Victoria | $1,204 |
| Western Australia | $967 |
Cost of an ambulance in the Australian Capital Territory
| Service | Call out fee | Cost per km outside the ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency ambulance service (treatment and transport) | $959 | $13 |
| Emergency ambulance service (treatment but no transport) | $665 | |
| Non-emergency ambulance service by an Ambulance Paramedic or an Intensive Care Paramedic | $685 | $13 |
| Non-emergency ambulance service (treatment and transport) by Patient Transport Service resource | $247 | $5.20 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published in March 2018. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
If you need to contact the ambulance service in ACT:
- ACT Ambulance Service
- http://esa.act.gov.au/actas/
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries, phone 13 22 81 or email esahaveyoursay@act.gov.au
Cost of an ambulance in New South Wales
| Service | Call Out Fee | Cost per km | Max charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road ambulance emergency | $382 | $3.44 | $6,258 |
| Road ambulance non-emergency | $301 | $1.86 | $6,258 |
| Fixed wing emergency | $382 | $3.44 | $6,258 |
| For helicopter emergency | $382 | $3.44 | $6,258 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published in March 2018. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover in NSW
All health fund hospital cover in NSW automatically includes a levy for ambulance services. Without hospital cover, you may need to purchase ambulance cover (either as a standalone policy or as part of an extras policy) from a private health fund.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in NSW
- Ambulance Service of NSW
- http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries, email generalenquiry@ambulancensw.gov.au
Cost of an ambulance in the Northern Territory
| Service | Call out fee (including first 10km) | Rate per additional km |
|---|---|---|
| Life threatening emergency callout | $790 | $5.10 |
| Non-life threatening emergency callout | $360 | $5.10 |
| Non-emergency callout | $360 | $5.10 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover NT
If you live in the Northern Territory and want full ambulance coverage, you’ll need to purchase a subscription from St John Ambulance NT. Alternatively, you can purchase a policy that provides ambulance cover from the health fund of your choice.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in Northern Territory
- St. John Ambulance Australia Northern Territory
- http://www.stjohnnt.org.au/
- Phone 1300 ST JOHN in an emergency
- Fill out the online form available through the St. John Ambulance website for general enquiries
Cost of an ambulance in Queensland
| QLD |
|---|
| The cost of ambulance services for Queensland residents is covered by the state government. |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover QLD
If you live in the Sunshine State, the Queensland Government covers the cost of emergency ambulance services not only in Queensland but also right around the country. In order to be covered under the Community Ambulance Cover scheme, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate that your principal place of residence is in Queensland.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in Queensland
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/index.html
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries and first aid courses, phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Cost of an ambulance in South Australia
| Service | Call out fee | Cost per km |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call out | $976 | $5.60 |
| Non-Emergency call out | $218 | $5.60 |
| Treat no Transport (flat rate) | $218 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
SA ambulance cover
South Australian residents can purchase a subscription with the South Australian Ambulance Service. This subscription covers all ambulance attendance within South Australia, including both emergency and non-emergency services.
For a small additional fee you can also purchase interstate ambulance cover, which provides cover for all ambulance attendances Australia-wide.
Alternatively, SA residents may purchase standalone ambulance cover or look for health insurance that includes it.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in SA
- SA Ambulance Service
- http://www.saambulance.com.au/
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries and information about the SA Ambulance Service, phone 1300 13 62 72 or email healthsaasenquiries@sa.gov.au
Cost of an ambulance in Tasmania
| TAS |
|---|
| The cost of ambulance fees for Tasmanian residents is covered by the state government. |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover TAS
The Tasmanian Government provides cover for the cost of ambulance treatment and transport in the Apple Isle for its residents. However, this cover applies in Tasmania only; Tasmania has informal reciprocal arrangements in place to cover emergency road ambulance transport for its residents when in most other Australian states or territories, but no such arrangement exists with the governments of South Australia or Queensland.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in Tasmania
- Ambulance Tasmania
- http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ambulance
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries, phone 1300 303 196 or use the online feedback form
Cost of an ambulance in Victoria
| Service | Call out fee |
|---|---|
| Emergency Road - Metropolitan | $1,204 |
| Emergency Road - Regional and Rural | $1,776 |
| Non Emergency Stretcher - Metropolitan | $325 |
| Non Emergency Stretcher - Regional and Rural | $549 |
| Treatment without transport | $519 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover VIC
Victorian residents who want full cover for emergency and non-emergency ambulance services can take out an Ambulance Victoria membership, which provides Australia-wide cover. You also have the option of taking out cover through your private health fund, though many funds will only cover emergency ambulance services.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in Victoria
- Ambulance Victoria
- http://ambulance.vic.gov.au/
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries, phone +61 3 9840 3500
Cost of an ambulance in Western Australia
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Life threatening | $967 |
| Urgent | $967 |
| Non-urgent | $520 |
| Patient Transfer Vehicle | $473 |
Ambulance fees and charges were taken from the official website of each state and territories ambulance service and were accurate when this article was published. Please note the costs above may be subject to change.
Ambulance cover WA
Western Australian residents who want cover for ambulance services need to purchase an ambulance cover policy. If you live in the Perth metropolitan area, you can contact a private health fund to arrange a sufficient level of ambulance cover for your needs. However, if you live in regional WA you can either contact a private health insurance fund to purchase ambulance cover or pay for a subscription to the St John Ambulance Service.
Get in contact with an ambulance service in WA
- St. John Ambulance WA
- http://www.stjohnambulance.com.au/
- Phone 000 in an emergency
- For general enquiries, phone (08) 9334 1222
Ambulance cover for pensioners
Depending on where you live, your state will determine how much you pay for ambulance cover (if anything). Below is a summary of how it works for seniors state by state.
Australian Capital Territory
Residents who hold a Pensioner Concession or Health Care card are entitled to free emergency ambulance services within the ACT. When travelling interstate, these cardholders can only access free emergency ambulance services in those states and territories that participate in reciprocal arrangements with the ACT, so no cover is available if you’re travelling in Queensland, SA or WA.
New South Wales
A range of pensioner card and concession card holders are entitled to free ambulance services in NSW, including people who hold a:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
- Find out more at the Dept of Human Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Repatriation Health Card, also known as a Gold Card (excluding non-emergency ambulance services)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Repatriation Health Card, also known as a White Card (only for services relating to a specific condition that is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs)
Northern Territory
Holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are entitled to free ambulance transport services.
Queensland
The Queensland Government covers the cost of emergency ambulance services not only in Queensland but also right around the country.
South Australia
There are pension rates available for holders of an SA Pension concession card. The rate starts at $49 for a single pensioner and you need to refer to the SA ambulance terms.
Victoria
As of July 2014, eligible Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card holders in Victoria are entitled to free clinically necessary ambulance coverage around Australia. This covers the cost of transport to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility.
Western Australia
Pensioners are entitled to free ambulance transport whenever it is medically necessary, except if you are being transferred between hospitals and one or both is a private hospital. Residents who are 65 and over but do not receive a Centrelink pension receive a 50% discount off their ambulance account.
WA residents under the age of 65 who receive a Disability, Single Parent or Carers pension or other Centrelink pensions may also be entitled to this 50% discount.
Avoid costly surprises with ambulance cover
If you shudder at how much an unexpected medical emergency could cost, you’re not alone. Nearly 60% of Australians feel the same way according to finder.com.au.
That’s why ambulance cover is so important. finder also found that more than a quarter of Australians believe Medicare covers ambulance fees.
Talk about an unexpected surprise.
You can get ambulance-only cover for as little as $60 a year and it’s readily available on most hospital and extras policies. That makes it one of the simplest and straightforward ways to avoid any costly surprises.
Find out more about ambulance cover in your state or territory
What's included in ambulance insurance?
What's covered by an ambulance policy will depend on whether you want protection for emergency only or comprehensive non-emergency:
Air and road transport in emergency situations. In incidents such as:
- Major accidents
- Severe blood loss
- Sudden onset of pain
- Broken bones
- Heart attack
What usually won’t be covered?
- Non-emergency medical transport or treatment. This may include if you have a non-critical ongoing illness/injury and the ambulance is not required to use lights or sirens when transporting you.
- Routine treatment for ongoing illnesses and require specialised transport.
- If you hold a subscription with your state or territory ambulance service.
- Treatment or transport provided by an ambulance service that is not recognised by your private health fund.
The following cover will typically apply:
- Emergency road, air and sea transport.
- On-the-spot ambulance treatment across Australia at any time.
- Ambulance transport between hospitals when it is medically necessary.
- Some policies offer Ambulance paramedic attendance whereby you are covered for attendance from a paramedic but do not need to be transported to a hospital.
What usually won’t be covered?
- If your state government provides ambulance coverage or if already have a subscription with state ambulance provider.
- Air and road transport services that are not operated by a government or are not recognised by the health fund.
- Non-emergency ambulance transport that you receive during your policy waiting period.
How much does a health fund cover?
Depending on which health fund you decide to go with, you can expect that they'll cover most if not all of the costs associated with ambulance transport.
Below are the percentage of costs covered by each fund according to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO) State of the Health Funds Report 2017.
The average amount of costs covered by ambulance cover
| Fund | Ambulance |
|---|---|
| Australian Unity | 98.80% |
| BUPA | 99.90% |
| CBHS Corporate | n/a |
| CDH | 100.00% |
| CUA Health | 100.00% |
| GMHBA | 88.90% |
| GU Corporate | 100.00% |
| HBF | 99.90% |
| HCF | 100.00% |
| HCI | 100.00% |
| Health.com.au | 100.00% |
| Health Partners | 99.60% |
| HIF | 99.10% |
| Latrobe | 75.80% |
| MDHF | 81.90% |
| Medibank | 100.00% |
| nib | 100.00% |
| Onemedifund | 98.00% |
| Peoplecare | 98.70% |
| Phoenix | 97.70% |
| QCH | n/a |
| St.Lukes | 78.20% |
| Transport Health | 100.00% |
| Westfund | 99.90% |
| Restricted membership funds | |
| ACA | 98.10% |
| CBHS | 96.90% |
| Defence Health< | 100.00% |
| Doctors' Health | n/a |
| Emergency Services | n/a |
| Navy Health | 99.30% |
| Nurses and Midwives | 100.00% |
| Police Health | 99.80% |
| Reserve Bank | 100.00% |
| RT Health Fund | 100.00% |
| Teachers Health | 99.80% |
| TUH | 100.00% |
Some final questions about ambulance cover you might have
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Ask an Expert
I would like to just get basic ambulance nsw cover without having to join a health fund is this possible
Hi Sher,
Thank you for leaving a question.
Yes, you may be able to just get ambulance cover for NSW. You have to purchase ambulance cover insurance from a private health fund or a subscription through the state ambulance service. You may check the page we are on for a comparison of ambulance cover. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Hi,just making an enquiry for my in laws. They are aged pensioners in south Australia. They do a lot of caravanning in Aust. Would they b covered Aust wide just on their pension and health care cards. Cheers
Hi Leigh,
Thank you for contacting finder.
While pension is more on providing financial aid and not health insurance cover, health care cards usually cover free or subsidised treatment by doctors and less fee for services and procedures. To learn more you may visit this page.
We suggest reviewing the option of having an insurance for their caravan by reviewing this link.
If you want to explore other options as well such as getting a domestic travel insurance, you may refer to this page.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Loraine
hi i want to take out ambulance only cover
Hi Sandy,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You may check out the policies that include it in a hospital plan or extras plan by entering your preferences and submitting the form above.
Should you want to check out Ambulance Only policy, you may need to reach out to the insurers directly to see what they can offer you.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
I am on an aged pension which entitles me to free ambulance in nsw. How do I go if travelling interstate and incur costs in relation to ambulance services. Would I be covered as a pensioner of nsw or would I need to take out private cover.
Hi Daryl,
Thank you for your question.
finder.com.au is a comparison and information service and we are not permitted to provide our users with personalised financial advice or product recommendations.
According to Ambulance Services of New South Wales frequently asked questions, cover for concession card holders is provided for emergency ambulance services for all other States/Territories.
You should contact Health Ambulance Service of NSW directly for clarification and if you have any further questions.
All the best,
Zubair