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Ambulance cover in Australia
Ambulance cover in Australia
Written by
Madeline Pettet
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezAmbulance cover by state
Ambulance cover in New South Wales
NSW residents are only covered for 51% of ambulance call-out charges, so unless you have an eligible concession card or ambulance cover, you could be charged as much as $7,601. Learn more about ambulance fees and ambulance cover in NSW with iSelect.
Ambulance cover in Western Australia
Typically, WA residents only receive subsidised ambulance transport if they are 65 or older, while eligible concession card holders don’t need to pay for medically necessary ambulance rides. Most WA residents will need ambulance cover to avoid being charged up to $1,309. Learn more about ambulance fees and ambulance cover in WA with iSelect.
Ambulance cover in South Australia
SA has a user-pays ambulance service with emergency transport fees starting at $1,247, unless you have a Pensioner Concession Card and are eligible for a discount. Ambulance cover is another way you can avoid these fees. Learn more about how ambulance fees work and how you can save with ambulance cover in SA with iSelect.
Ambulance cover in Victoria
Victorians usually need to pay for their ambulance transport unless they have an eligible concession, like a Health Care Card, or have ambulance cover. Emergency road transport fees start at $1,477, which can make ambulance cover good value. Learn more about ambulance cover in Victoria and how it works with iSelect.
Ambulance cover in Queensland
Qld’s state ambulance service is free for all Qld residents, covering both emergency and non-emergency transport. But if you’re visiting from another state, you’ll need to be prepared to pay at least $1,559.57 for emergency transport. Learn about ambulance cover in Qld with iSelect.
Why is ambulance cover important?
Ambulance cover is important because Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance transport, nor do many state governments. Without ambulance cover, it could be up to you to pay the expensive ambulance bill, like the $1,143 starting fee for emergency ambulance transport in the Australian Capital Territory or $703 for non-urgent or patient transfer ambulance services in metro Western Australian.
More vulnerable Australians, like those with concession cards such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Gold Card, can sometimes get subsidised or free ambulance transport, depending on the state. However, most Australians aren’t eligible for reduced ambulance fees.
In comparison, ambulance cover can be quite cheap – even as little as around $50–$60 per year. Depending on the level of coverage you want, taking out ambulance cover or adding it to a broader health insurance policy could save you money in the long run.
How much does ambulance cover cost in Australia?
A hospital insurance policy with emergency ambulance cover included cost $3,099 on average per year for iSelect customers in 2025. It ranged from $1,187 to $3,351 on average, depending on the state. In comparison, the average emergency transport base cost, where it isn’t waived, is $1,034 and ranges from $464 to $1,437 across states, as of July 2025.
In addition to being covered for emergency transport costs, those with hospital insurance that includes ambulance cover also have reduced (or no) out-of-pocket costs for treatment as a private patient in hospital. Depending on the policy, this can include lots of different expensive operations, like joint repairs and replacements, heart surgery, and pregnancy and obstetrics.
| Location | Average hospital insurance with ambulance cover annual premium | Emergency transport base cost |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $3,099 | $1,034 (average) |
| ACT | $2,608 | $1,143 |
| NSW | $2,986 | $464 |
| NT | $1,187 | $700 |
| Qld | $3,343 | Waived for Qld residents |
| SA | $3,087 | $1,207 |
| Tas | $3,351 | Waived in most cases for Tas residents |
| Vic | $3,184 | $1,437 (metropolitan areas) |
| WA | $2,487 | $1,253 |
Note: These figures reflect indicative hospital policies with ambulance cover costs, based on iSelect data where a sale was made, and emergency ambulance transport costs, based on data from ACT Government, NSW Ambulance, St John NT, Queensland Ambulance Service, SA Ambulance Services, Tasmanian Government Department of Health, Victoria Department of Health and St John WA, and rounded where appropriate. Estimates include internal iSelect calculations applied to this data. Actual costs may vary depending on your unique situation. Ambulance costs data retrieved July 2026. Health insurance premium costs based on data from January 2025 to December 2025.
What should I look for in an ambulance cover policy?
Look for a comprehensive ambulance cover policy that covers a range of emergency transportation scenarios, including transportation types and types of call-outs. Check the policy for things like:
- 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: 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.
- Transportation types: 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.
- 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.
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 cover with iSelect
Compare a range of hospital policies that include emergency 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 one of the best ways 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?
Ambulance cover helps with the costs for hospital transport or any paramedic treatment, so you’re not left worrying about unexpected bills when you should be focused on recovering. Depending on your policy, it can mean you have no out-of-pocket costs from calling Triple Zero (000).
Some health funds offer ambulance cover as a standalone policy, while others have hospital insurance or extras cover with emergency ambulance services included.
Does Medicare cover ambulance services in Australia?
Medicare does not cover ambulance services in Australia. However, ambulance cover is a way that you can have your ambulance transport bills covered and reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Does health insurance include ambulance cover?
Many health funds include emergency ambulance cover in their hospital or extras policies, while some funds have standalone ambulance cover available, too. Which is right for you depends on your needs and budget.
Ambulance cover differs between health funds, including what types of ambulance services are covered and whether non-emergency call-outs are included.
Does ambulance cover come with limitations?
Ambulance cover limitations include what kinds of trips are covered, which hospital you are taken too, and what costs and services are covered. For instance, your policy might only cover emergency trips where you’ve been injured or where your life may be at immediate risk, and not cover non-emergency ambulance trips where you don’t need immediate treatment, like a transfer between hospitals or for regular ongoing treatment (like dialysis or chemotherapy).
Further, 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.
Will ambulance cover still apply if I’m interstate?
Ambulance cover pays for ambulance transport if you need it when you’re visiting another part of Australia, depending on your policy’s limitations. If you’re frequently interstate (or don’t want to risk an expensive ambulance bill ruining your holiday), ambulance cover can be a smart move.
Am I eligible for free ambulance cover in my state?
Residents of Queensland and Tasmania, and people with an eligible concession card, like a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or a Veteran Gold Card, are eligible for free ambulance cover in their state. Otherwise, you can purchase ambulance cover through an ambulance subscription or private health insurance fund.
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