A guide to ambulance cover in Australia

Medicare generally doesn’t cover ambulance costs and ambulance services are only free for residents of Queensland and Tasmania. Ambulance cover is an insurance policy that provides financial protection for the costs incurred when emergency medical services are required. The cover varies significantly, including the cost structure and the services included. Ambulance fees can range widely, and without appropriate insurance, you may face substantial out-of-pocket expenses in emergency situations. 

Ambulance cover can be obtained as a standalone policy or may be included in your private hospital cover. Some extras-only health insurance policies may also include ambulance coverage.

What is ambulance cover?

Ambulance cover is a type of insurance that covers your costs if you need to call out paramedics and be taken to hospital in an ambulance. It’s really important to note that ambulance fees are very different depending in which state you live. We’ll get into that shortly.

What is the waiting period for ambulance cover?

The waiting period for ambulance cover is usually 1 day.

How much can an ambulance trip cost?

This depends on the state ambulance service you’re using - and whether or not you actually live in that state. You could be travelling interstate for example, and need an emergency trip to hospital. In this case, you could be up for a significant bill, unless you have ambulance cover.

Source: Each state ambulance service. Prices are believed accurate as of October 2024. Excludes air ambulance services.

What are the benefits of ambulance cover?

The costs associated with an ambulance call out can be high. Some call-out fees cost upward of $1,900. That’s a hefty bill if you’re ill or injured enough to need a paramedic.

The right ambulance cover gives you peace of mind that you’re covered and won’t be facing a massive bill in the case of a medical emergency. 

Does health insurance include ambulance cover?

Yes. Most private health insurers provide Ambulance Cover. This often comes as part of your Hospital Cover. Even a lot of cheap Basic Hospital Cover policies will include a form of ambulance cover. But the level of cover varies from insurer to insurer. Some funds provide cover for all ambulance travel, while others may only cover the costs of the emergency transport to the nearest hospital. That's why it's a good idea to compare policies before you buy.

Below are 3 relevant Silver policies for a Single, living in QLD, aged 40 with an annual income of $113,001 - $151,000 (Tier 2)

*Policies accurate as of 07-08-2024

Do pensioners get free ambulance cover Australia wide?

Yes! We cover this in more detail below for the differences across states. 

Which states charge you for ambulance journeys?

Queensland and Tasmania don’t charge residents for ambulance services. If you live in any other states, you’ll need ambulance cover to avoid paying fees for these services.

Which states charge for Ambulances call-outs

How much do ambulance services actually cost?

New South Wales: New South Wales ambulance costs can be significant. Luckily, residents are only billed for 51% of the ambulance fee -- the rest is subsidised by the NSW government -- but you'll still need health insurance or ambulance cover to avoid the rest of the fees.

Australian Capital Territory: In general, ACT residents are responsible for paying their own way, you have health insurance.

Victoria: Victorians will have to cover the costs of an ambulance ride if it's not covered through an Ambulance Victoria membership or a private health fund.

South Australia: SA residents will be liable to pay for ambulance services, unless they're a member of the SA Ambulance Service or a private health fund.

Northern Territory: Residents will have to pay for ambulance services unless they're a member of St Johns or have private health insurance.

Western Australia: The same rules in the NT apply to WA.

What are the different types of ambulance cover?

You have two options:

1. Hospital cover: most hospital coves include some form of ambulance cover, but they also cover some of your hospital costs such as medications and surgical procedures. Emergency ambulance cover is usually offered as part of a private health insurer's Hospital Cover

2. Ambulance-only cover: this includes ambulance cover only, but not your in-hospital accommodations or treatments and procedures. Most private insurers offer ambulance-only cover as a standalone option.

What is the cost of an ambulance trip?

If you don’t have ambulance cover, here’s an idea of what you could be paying:

The Cost of Emergency Ambulance Call Outs & Transport for State Residents Across Australia

Which health insurance policies include ambulance cover?

The different state regulations means ambulance cover can be surprisingly confusing. As a general rule of thumb, if you've got hospital cover then you'll likely be covered for some ambulance fees. Most private health insurers include ambulance cover in their hospital cover policies, but it's important to be aware of any limitations and exclusions.

For example, does your cover include all forms of emergency transport, or is it only for road services? The best way to find out what you’re covered for - and what you’re not - is to compare# your cover with what else is available for you. Ready to get started on finding the cover you need? Compare policies with Compare Club and let our expert team get you the right cover at our best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is ambulance cover important?

The financial burden associated with an ambulance call-out can be substantial, with costs sometimes exceeding $2,900 (see above). Having the appropriate ambulance cover ensures that you’re not left with exorbitant bills in the event of a medical emergency to you or your family.

Is ambulance cover compulsory?

No, it's not. If you don't have ambulance cover or appropriate hospital cover, you'll need to pay the full cost of any ambulance services (if you’re not exempt).

Does Medicare cover ambulance journeys?

No, Medicare doesn’t cover emergency transport costs or any other ambulance services.

Is ambulance-only cover worth it? Ambulance-only cover - also called ‘standalone ambulance’ is certainly better than not having any cover at all in an emergency but it really is ambulance cover only. It’s worth looking at the difference in premiums for ambulance-only cover, and a Basic hospital cover policy. You may find basic or bronze tier hospital cover offers better overall value for money. Hospital cover can include your ambulance call outs and emergency treatment, as well as hospital stays and some medical procedures (depending on your specific insurer and your policy).

Can I use ambulance cover interstate?

This depends on which state you live in. The QLD government pays for ambulance cover Australia wide if you’re a resident, while Tasmanian residents can only get cover within their state. Even exempt residents may not be covered outside of their home state, so if you’re travelling interstate, it’s wise to check with your state ambulance service, Concession Card provider or health insurer as to whether you’ll be covered for ambulance trips or not.

Sources

*Based on 136,746 customers between 1 Jan 2018 - 23 December 2022.

Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley

Chris's top health insurance tips

• 1

  Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.

• 2

  An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.

• 3

  Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.

• 4

  Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).