In a medical emergency dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance, you do not need to be a member to use ambulance services in any State or Territory.
Having ambulance cover/membership is a personal choice, and the costs/benefits need to be considered by all individuals before making a decision.
- Confusingly, ambulance costs and cover vary between States and Territories. We are providing a summary of the system in each State and Territory to help you break down the information, along with useful links for first hand information.
For all Australians:
- Medicare does not cover ambulance costs.
- If you have private health insurance it is important to look into what level of ambulance transport is included to decide if additional ambulance cover will benefit you.
- Many funds only cover emergency transport but not non-emergency transport (eg. transfers to another hospital).
- Ambulance cover does not apply while overseas.
- Before travelling interstate become familiar with what your cover can provide.
- Some Health Care Card holders and pensioners are automatically covered free of charge, refer to relevant State or Territory ambulance website to confirm if you are covered.
Ambulance Victoria:
https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/
- Membership per year is just under $50 for singles, and just under $100 for families.
- They quote the average cost of emergency transport as being $1100 without cover.
- Interstate cover is included in membership.
Ambulance Service of NSW:
http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/
- No cover is available, unless through private health insurance or you are in one of the exemption categories.
- They charge a call out fee and a per kilometre cost, however 49% of the fee will be paid by the NSW government.
SA Ambulance Service:
http://www.saambulance.com.au/
- Standard cover is $83 for singles and $165 for families per year.
- Interstate cover is $15 extra for singles and $30 extra for families per year.
Queensland Ambulance Service:
https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au
- All Queensland residents are automatically covered Australia-wide.
St John Ambulance (NT):
- Subscriptions are $106 for singles and $125 for families for one year.
- Discounts apply when you purchase two and three year subscriptions.
- Interstate cover is included.
St John Ambulance (WA):
- WA has a ‘user pays’ system, cover is only through private health insurance.
- Costs are $967 for an emergency call out and $520 for a non-urgent call out.
- Discounts apply for those over 65 years old.
ACT Ambulance Service:
- No cover is available, unless through private health insurance (‘ambulance only’ cover is available) or you are in one of the exemption categories.
- $959 for treatment and transport, $665 for treatment without transport
Ambulance Tasmania:
- Fees are covered by the Tasmanian Government for Tasmanian residents Australia-wide (except in Queensland and South Australia).
Please note that information and costs are correct as of the 7/12/18. Refer to the websites linked for the most up to date information.