Ambulance Cover in Australia

Australia has one of the world’s best health care systems that are availed by its citizens and permanent residents. Medicare however does not usually cover Ambulance transport and other emergency medical transport. This means that if you need an ambulance, you may need to pay for the service out of pocket unless you have additional coverage through private health insurance or a separate ambulance service.

In Australia, ambulance cover is an important consideration for healthcare, as the cost of ambulance services can be high. Ambulance services in Australia are generally provided by state and territory-based organizations and are usually not covered by Medicare. Whether you need to pay for ambulance services depends on where you live, your health insurance coverage, and the specifics of the emergency.

Individuals treated by paramedics are responsible for the costs associated with their treatment and/or transport, regardless of whether or not they were the ones who requested an ambulance. Charges for an emergency ambulance can range from $300 to $1,500 or more, depending on the service, distance traveled, and urgency.

Each state in Australia generally has an empaneled ‘state ambulance services’ and in almost all cases they offer annual subscriptions.

Statewise Coverage of Ambulance Services

Australian Captital Territory

• Ambulance Cover: In the ACT, Ambulance services are provided by ACT Ambulance Service, and Medicare does not cover the cost.
• You can buy an ACT Ambulance Subscription or have private health insurance that includes ambulance cover.

Official Website – Ambulance | ACT Emergency Services Agency

New South Wales

• Medicare does not cover ambulance services in NSW.
• If you have private health insurance, it may cover some or all of the costs.
• NSW Ambulance Subscription Scheme: Residents of NSW can purchase an ambulance subscription which covers the cost of emergency and non-emergency ambulance services.

Official Website – https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/

Northern Territory

• The Northern Territory has Ambulance NT, which provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance services.
• There is no Medicare coverage for ambulance services, but private health insurance can offer ambulance coverage. Alternatively, you can purchase an annual subscription to cover ambulance costs.

More Details – St John Ambulance (NT) Inc – Home

Queensland

• Medicare does not cover ambulance services in Queensland.
• Queensland offers ambulance cover through Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). If you don’t have private health insurance that covers ambulance services, you can purchase cover through QAS.

Official Website – Queensland Ambulance Service

South Australia

• Medicare does not cover ambulance services in South Australia.
• Ambulance Cover: Residents can pay for ambulance cover via a subscription to SA Ambulance Service. Alternatively, many private health insurance policies include ambulance cover.

Official Website – SA Ambulance Service

Tasmania

• Tasmania is similar to other states where Medicare does not cover ambulance services.
• You can buy an ambulance subscription through Ambulance Tasmania or rely on private health insurance coverage.

Official Website – Ambulance | Tasmanian Department of Health

Victoria

• Ambulance Victoria charges for services, and Medicare does not cover ambulance costs.
• Victorian residents can choose to subscribe to an Ambulance Victoria membership, which covers the cost of ambulance services. Alternatively, private health insurance often includes ambulance cover as an optional extra.

Official Website – https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/

Western Australia

• St John Ambulance provides services in Western Australia, and Medicare does not cover ambulance services.
• WA residents can buy an annual subscription to cover the cost of ambulance services.

More Details – St John WA – Ambulance and Health Services

Check with the local ambulance service in your state or territory for the exact pricing and subscription options. Each service has a different coverage structure, so it’s important to understand what you’re purchasing.

Private Health Insurance and Ambulance Cover

Many Australians choose to get private health insurance, which may include coverage for ambulance services. While some public health funds offer this as part of their hospital or extras cover, you should verify that ambulance services are included in your policy, as not all private health insurers provide this as standard.

Type of Coverage Offered

Before purchasing ambulance cover in Australia, it’s important to understand the coverage options available, the costs involved, and how they align with your needs. Here are key factors to consider before purchasing ambulance cover:

• Emergency Ambulance Cover: This typically covers the cost of an ambulance when you require immediate medical attention in an emergency situation.
• Non-Emergency Transport: Some ambulance services also offer non-emergency transport, which is for patients who need to be transferred to a hospital or between medical facilities.
• Inter-Hospital Transfers: If you need to be transferred between hospitals, make sure the policy covers this, as these services can be expensive.
• National Coverage: Ambulance cover might only apply in certain regions or states, so confirm whether the service extends nationwide or just to specific areas.
• Regional or Interstate Coverage: Check if the cover extends to rural or remote areas and interstate services, as ambulance costs can vary significantly based on distance traveled.
• Individual or Family Coverage: If you’re considering a subscription plan or standalone ambulance cover, you’ll likely have the option of purchasing individual or family coverage.
• Limits and Restrictions: Some services may have limitations, such as a maximum number of trips per year or restrictions on the types of services covered (e.g., air ambulances, long-distance transfers).
• Immediate Coverage or Waiting Period: If you require immediate ambulance cover, check if the policy has any waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.