Call-out costs: Ambulance fees exceed $1K in some states
Nearly a third of Australians have needed an ambulance since 2020, according to new research by Finder.
Â
A Finder survey of 1,005 respondents revealed 31% of Aussies – equivalent to 6.6 million people – have called or used an ambulance in the last 5 years.
Â
The research found 1 in 7 (14%) made the call for someone else, while 12% needed the ambulance for themselves.
Â
A further 4% have had an ambulance called for them by someone else.
Â
Peta Taylor, insurance expert at Finder, said ambulance costs can really blow your budget in some states.
Â
"While some believe ambulance rides are a free service, in most states this is simply not the case.
Â
"If you want to avoid being hit with a hefty bill you'd need to have a health insurance policy in place that covers you for ambulance transportation.
Â
"Most health insurance providers will offer a form of ambulance cover but this can vary depending on your insurer and policy."
Â
More than a third (35%) of gen Z report calling or using an ambulance, followed by 34% of baby boomers, 29% of gen X and 27% of gen Y.
Â
Of those who have needed an ambulance, just 71% say they had insurance to cover the cost, in some cases resulting in shocking bills.
Â
Gen Z (37%) were the most likely to say they weren't covered.
Â
Average call-out costs alone easily eclipse $1,000 in many states, with some states adding on per kilometre charges.
Â
Taylor encouraged Australians to check their health insurance policy to see if they are covered.
Â
"Ambulance cover will typically be listed under hospital or extras, but in some cases as a standalone policy.
Â
"Getting severely ill or hurt is bad enough, you don't want to face an expensive bill to boot."
Â
Cost of an emergency ambulance without cover
| Victoria | $1,396 city / $2,059 regional area |
| New South Wales | $445 call-out fee, plus $4.02 per kilometre (Maximum charge $7,299) |
| Western Australia | $1,202 resident / $1,939 non-WA residents |
| South Australia | $1,171 call-out fee, $6.70 per kilometre |
| Australian Capital Territory | $1,107, $14 per kilometre if out of ACT |
| Northern Territory | $1,133, plus $6.50 per kilometre |
| Queensland | Free for residents generally |
| Tasmania | Free for residents generally |
| Source: Finder analysis of ambulance fees across various states for life threatening emergencies, April 2025 |  |
Have you called/used an ambulance in the last 5 years?
Â
| Yes, for someone else | 14% |
| Yes, for myself | 12% |
| Yes, someone else called one for me | 4% |
| No | 69% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,005 respondents, April 2025 | |
Sources
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,005 respondents from April 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Ask a question