How much does it cost to call an ambulance?

If you’ve ever had to call an ambulance and then received a bill a few days later, you’ll know all too well that ambulance treatment in Australia is not funded by Medicare. In 2 states, ambulance call-outs are funded by their state governments, but for most of Australia, calling an ambulance will set you back a few hundred dollars, at least. But by having Private Health Insurance, ambulance costs in Australia will be paid for by your health insurer, provided you meet certain conditions. 

How much does an ambulance cost in my state or territory? 

Ambulance costs in Australia vary depending on the arrangements between your state or territory government and the local ambulance service.  

In Queensland, the largest ambulance service in Australia, more than 1,400 emergency ambulance call-outs happen every day, for situations such as cardiac arrest, car crashes and drownings. But residents in Queensland do not have to pay for ambulance treatment and neither do Tasmanian locals, as their respective state governments will pick up the tab. 

Here’s the breakdown of ambulance costs in each Australian state and territory (excluding air ambulance charges): 

Does health insurance cover ambulance treatment? 

Yes, Private Health Insurance does cover ambulance treatment, either as part of Hospital Cover. Extras Cover or a standalone Ambulance Cover policy, depending on your insurer. 

There’s a waiting period before you can claim, which is generally only one day, and your insurance payments will need to be up-to-date. Check the policy details carefully to make sure you’re covered for all types of ambulance treatment (emergency and non-emergency) as well as air ambulance and interstate claims.  

If you are in Queensland or Tasmania your health insurance policy will not cover ambulance treatment since this is provided free by your state government.  

What questions should I ask before taking out ambulance cover?

How do I claim ambulance treatment on health insurance? 

Once you’ve received a bill for ambulance treatment, contact your insurer to find out their process for making a claim. It’s a good idea to contact your state or territory’s ambulance service too, to let them know that your health insurer will make payment on your behalf. 

We recommend contacting the ambulance service in a few weeks’ time to make sure the bill has been paid.   

How do I get the cheapest ambulance cover?  

If you don’t have health insurance but would like to have cover for ambulance costs in Australia, start calculating your cheapest policy for standalone Ambulance Cover, or for Hospital or Extras policies that include Ambulance Cover. To find your cheapest health insurance in 3 steps visit the healthslips.com.au Calculator. 

Trudie McConnochie

Writer and Researcher

Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.

Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.

Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.

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