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.
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.
The research found 1 in 7 (14%) made the call for someone else, while 12% needed the ambulance for themselves.
A further 4% have had an ambulance called for them by someone else.
Peta Taylor, insurance expert at Finder, said ambulance costs can really blow your budget in some states.
"While some believe ambulance rides are a free service, in most states this is simply not the case.
"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.
"Most health insurance providers will offer a form of ambulance cover but this can vary depending on your insurer and policy."
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.
Of those who have needed an ambulance, just 71% say they had insurance to cover the cost, in some cases resulting in shocking bills.
Gen Z (37%) were the most likely to say they weren't covered.
Average call-out costs alone easily eclipse $1,000 in many states, with some states adding on per kilometre charges.
Taylor encouraged Australians to check their health insurance policy to see if they are covered.
"Ambulance cover will typically be listed under hospital or extras, but in some cases as a standalone policy.
"Getting severely ill or hurt is bad enough, you don't want to face an expensive bill to boot."
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?
| 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 | |
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.
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