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Ambulance Cover in Australia
Ambulance Cover in Australia
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezAmbulance cover by state
Ambulance cover in New South Wales
Ambulance cover in NSW is a good idea if you want to dodge those sky-high bills – especially since Medicare doesn’t cover it. Discover the costs for emergency and non-emergency services and why private ambulance cover could be a smart move.
Ambulance cover in Western Australia
In WA, ambulance services aren’t covered by Medicare, leaving you to foot the bill unless you’ve got private health insurance. This article breaks down the costs, options for regional and metro residents, and who’s eligible for discounts.
Ambulance cover in South Australia
In SA, you could face hefty bills without adequate ambulance cover. Whether you’re in Adelaide or the Barossa, find out how having private health insurance with ambulance cover can save you from unexpected costs in a medical emergency.
Ambulance cover in Victoria
Private health insurance can help cover emergency and non-emergency transport. Find out the costs, what’s included in ambulance cover in VIC, and key things to consider around ambo coverage, like waiting periods and interstate cover.
Ambulance cover in Queensland
Ambulance services are free for all Queenslanders, covering both emergency and non-emergency transport. But if you’re visiting from another state, you could face eye-watering bills! Here’s the go on ambulance cover in the Sunshine State.
Ambulance cover is important
So it’s worth getting right. In 2023–24 alone, ambulances responded to 4.4 million incidents across Australia.1Australian Government Productivity Commission – Report on Government Services 2025 That’s a whole lot of people relying on emergency services when things take a turn for the worse. That’s why having ambulance cover is a real lifesaver (literally) when you need it the most.
Ambulance cover in Australia varies from state to state
Ambulance cover isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. The coverage rules differ in almost every state. If you’ve got private health insurance with ambulance coverage, your policy might limit or exclude certain trips, or even cap how many times you can use ambulance services.
When it comes to ambulance trips, those out-of-pocket costs can really add up. You might be kicking yourself after you get the ambulance bill when you realise ambulance cover can cost as little as around $50 per year. Depending on the level of coverage you want, adding ambulance cover to your health insurance could save money in the long run.
How much does ambulance cover cost in Australia?
Ambulance costs can really vary depending on where you live. We’ve given you a rough breakdown of what emergency ambulance trips might set you back if you’re not covered. Just remember that these figures are only base costs, and depending on your situation you could be charged differently. For example, for a resident of NSW, the call-out fee for an emergency is $464 but you could end up paying up to a maximum of $7,601.2NSW Ambulance – Accounts and Fees
| State | Emergency transport base cost | Extra charge per km |
| ACT | $1,143 | $15 for every km travelled outside the ACT |
| NSW | $464 | $4.18 variable rate |
| QLD | Free (for Qld residents) | N/A |
| VIC | $1,437 (metro) $2,121 (regional) | N/A |
| SA | $1,207 | $6.90 |
| WA | $1,253 (for urgent or life-threatening services) | N/A |
| TAS | Waived (in most cases) for residents | N/A |
| NT | $1,133 | $6.50 per km after the first 10 kms |
Sources: ACT Government – Fees and charges; NSW Ambulance – Accounts and fees; Queensland Ambulance Service – Emergency ambulance care and costs; Victoria Department of Health – Ambulance Fees; SA Ambulance Services – Fees and charges; St John WA – Ambulance fees; Tasmanian Government Department of Health – Ambulance costs if you live in Tasmania; St John NT – Ambulance Transport rates
What should I look for in an ambulance cover policy?
When selecting a policy with ambulance cover, there are some things you might want to keep in mind. These can include:
Interstate travel
Look at whether the policy covers you for interstate emergency transport. Whether you opt for this is your choice, but just keep in mind that an interstate ambulance trip could be quite costly.
Non-emergency cover
Check whether your policy only covers you for emergencies, or if it includes non-emergency situations. Different health funds can define an ‘emergency’ differently, so this is something you’ll want to get clarity on.
Call-out fees
As mentioned before, some policies may or may not cover you for the ‘call-out’ fee. So, it’s important to investigate whether the policy will cover you if you just need treatment – but not transportation – in an ambulance.
Waiting periods
Most waiting periods for ambulance cover are short, many only have a one day waiting period, or even less. But it’s still important to be aware of any waiting periods so if something does happen, you’ll know you’re covered.
Other considerations
There are a few other little things to keep in mind too, like if there are any co-payments towards the ambulance fee. It’s worth making sure you’re also covered for all types of transport you might need, like air or sea ambulances, state-approved private services, or other private providers.
How do I choose the right ambulance cover?
Step 1: Check in on your needs
Take a moment to think about your health and how likely you are to need an ambulance. Remember that many health insurance policies cover emergency and medically necessary trips.
Step 2: Explore coverage options
Have a look at what your state offers and how you can use ambulance cover to bridge the gap.
Step 3: Compare with iSelect
Compare a range of hospital policies that include ambulance cover with the help of iSelect to find a good match. Make sure to look at premiums, benefits, and any waiting periods.
Step 4: Read reviews
Get a real sense of your options by checking out reviews from customers themselves. This is the best way to get an honest insight into your potential insurer.
Step 5: Decide on a policy
Then it’s time to get iSelect’s help to find and lock in your new policy. Remember to review your policy regularly so it keeps up with your needs.
Helpful tip
Many insurers include emergency ambulance transport as part of their hospital cover.
Hospital cover is particularly useful if you want the flexibility to choose your specialist and treatment location, whether it’s in a public or private hospital.
While it might cost more than stand-alone ambulance cover, the extra benefits certainly make it worth considering.
Dr. Jill Gamberg
GP, Coach and Lifestyle Medicine Physician
Frequently asked questions
What is ambulance cover?
Imagine you’ve just had a medical emergency, called 000, and been rushed to the hospital. As if that’s not stressful enough, imagine receiving the bill afterwards. This is where ambulance cover comes to the rescue. Depending on your policy, it can help cover costs for hospital transport or any paramedic treatment, so you’re not left worrying about unexpected bills when you should be focused on recovering.
Ambulance cover helps reduce the stress of the whole ordeal and take the financial sting out of those emergency situations. The cost of emergency road transport in Victoria, for example, can be over $1,437,3Department of Health Victoria – Ambulance fees while ambulance cover can cost as little as around $50 annually for a single person. It’s a small price for your peace of mind.
Does Medicare cover ambulance services in Australia?
One of the most important things to remember about ambulance services is that they’re not covered by Medicare. Whether you’re rushed to the hospital or need ambulance assistance, the cost could catch you off guard. And let’s be honest, no one wants to be hit with a ghastly invoice after an already stressful situation.
The best part about having ambulance cover is that it protects you against most of those steep bills. It’s a bit of peace of mind knowing you won’t have to fork out hundreds – or even thousands – if the unexpected happens.
Ambulance cover can be included in your private health insurance or – in some states – offered as a separate membership.
Does health insurance include ambulance cover?
Ambulance coverage can vary depending on each health fund and the policies they provide. Most health insurance providers include options for ambulance cover across their policies, but each will differ. Some policies might cover all ambulance trips, while others might only cover emergency rides. Coverage might also include caps per year, so it’s a good idea to read all the fine print so you know exactly what ambulance cover you’ll get.
Does ambulance cover come with limitations?
Most ambulance coverage will come with a few conditions, but this will depend on your insurer and policy. So, it’s important to understand these limitations and what you’ll be covered for.
- Emergency trips: Generally, emergency trips are unplanned medical events where you’ve been injured, or your life may be at immediate risk. The ambulance provider will decide if your trip counts as an emergency or not.
- Non-emergency trips: Non-emergency ambulance trips are situations where you don’t need immediate treatment. For example, it could be a transfer between hospitals or for regular ongoing treatment (like dialysis or chemotherapy).
An example of a common health insurance limitation? Some policies might only cover emergency trips to the closest hospital. So, if after your immediate treatment, you need to transfer hospitals, this might not be covered. Other policies might not include call-out fees or on-the-spot treatment where you’re not taken to hospital. That’s why it’s key to double-check your ambulance cover details.
Will ambulance cover still apply if I’m interstate?
Ambulance cover can vary across all states, and even if you have it, you might not be fully covered Australia-wide, or even in your own state in some cases.
Most ambulance services have operational boundaries that they work in, which don’t always follow state borders. For some borderline towns like Moama in NSW, for example, the closest hospital is Echuca Hospital in Victoria.
If you’re travelling interstate, your coverage will depend on your state government or your health insurance policy. Most states don’t include coverage for interstate emergency transport, and if they do, it might be limited.
Whether you can get a discount interstate, or whether you need coverage at all, depends on the state you live in. This is why it’s so important to remember that most ambulance cover only applies in your home state. So it’s worth taking a look at the finer detail of your policy to better understand how much coverage you have when travelling interstate.
Am I eligible for free ambulance cover in my state?
Did you know that some people can get free (or discounted) ambulance cover based on where they live? For example, Pensioner Concession Card holders often get free ambulance coverage in their state, while residents of Queensland and Tasmania get many ambulance bills covered by their state government. Check out what’s available in your state.
Australian Capital Territory
Most Health Care Concession Card and Pensioner Concession Card holders can get free emergency ambulance services. If that’s not you, you can buy ambulance cover from a private health fund or through the state ambulance service.
New South Wales
Some concession holders, including Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, and Gold Cards are eligible for free ambulance transport. If you don’t have one of these, you can buy ambulance cover through a private health fund or the state ambulance service.
Northern Territory
NT Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card and Health Care Card holders are often entitled to free ambulance transport services within the Northern Territory. If you don’t qualify, ambulance coverage is available through private health funds or the state ambulance service.
Queensland
Queensland residents have ambulance services across Australia fully covered by the state government. This includes treatment and transport that takes place in other parts of Australia.
South Australia
Ambulance cover is available in SA through private health insurance or the state ambulance service. If you hold a valid SA Pension Concession card, you could be eligible for a concession on the gazetted fees.
Tasmania
Tasmanians have most in-state ambulance services covered by the state government. You’ll also be covered for most emergency transport in other states except NSW, SA, and QLD.
Victoria
Pensioner Concession and Health Care Card holders can get free clinically necessary ambulance services. If you’re not eligible, you can buy ambulance cover through health insurance or through the state ambulance service.
Western Australia
Residents over 65 with a pension can get free ambulance services, while those over 65 without a pension can still get a 50% discount. Residents under 65 with a pension concession entitlement can get 50% off, too. If you’re not eligible for these discounts, you can buy a health insurance policy that includes ambulance cover, or get covered through the state ambulance service.
All of Australia
Veterans with Gold cards may be eligible for free emergency (and some non-emergency) ambulance services across all states.
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