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Ambulance Cover in New South Wales
Ambulance Cover in New South Wales
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Dr Jill GambergCompare Health Insurance Policies
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What is ambulance cover?
Long story short
Ambulance costs in NSW are high
Ambulance call-out fees in NSW range from $351 to $445, with an additional per-kilometre fee on top for your round trip. For non NSW residents, this could be even higher.
Concession card fee exemptions
Concession card holders, such as pensioners and Health Care Card holders, are exempt from paying ambulance fees for emergency services.
Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance
Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance services in NSW, so private ambulance cover is essential to avoid costly bills.
Emergency vs non-emergency ambulance services
Ambulance services are split into two groups: emergency and non-emergency, which come with different fees.
Maximise coverage with policy bundles
Ambulance cover can be bundled in with hospital or extras policies, giving you more comprehensive care under one plan.
What is ambulance cover?
If you’re ever in a medical emergency and need immediate care, an ambulance is the first thing you or someone nearby will call. But dealing with an unexpected bill after getting treatment isn’t something you’ll want to worry about.
Ambulance coverage helps pay or reimburse part of the cost of ambulance services. It can be part of your hospital cover, or some insurers offer it as a stand-alone policy. It’s usually split into emergency and non-emergency coverage.
- Emergency ambulance coverage is for situations where your life is at immediate risk without urgent medical treatment. NSW Ambulance will confirm whether your situation is an emergency and will either provide treatment on the scene or take you to the nearest hospital.
- Non-emergency ambulance coverage is when you need an ambulance for medical reasons, but it’s not life-threatening. This could be for ongoing treatment (like dialysis or chemotherapy) or transfers between hospitals.
Keep in mind that each insurer might define these categories differently, so it’s important to make sure you’re covered for what you need.
When you look at the numbers, paying a small monthly premium for ambulance cover (often bundled in with a health policy), compared to a potential call-out fee of up to $7,299 from NSW Ambulance,1NSW Ambulance – Accounts & Fees it’s clear what most people might lean towards.
How much do ambulance services cost in New South Wales?
Ambulance fees in NSW are made up of a call-out charge plus a cost per kilometre. This is usually the distance between the ambulance station, pick-up address, destination, and return to the ambulance station. In NSW, the state government doesn’t cover the full cost of ambulance services, but they do provide a subsidy. Without private hospital or ambulance cover, you’ll be billed for 51% of the total fee, with the NSW Government covering 49%. If aircraft or helicopters are involved, you’ll also have to pay an additional charge per kilometre on top of your call out fee.
Here are the fees for road ambulance transport in NSW for NSW residents (as of November 2024).
| Emergency | Non-emergency | |
| Call-out fee | $445 | $351 |
| Variable rate (per km) | $4.02 | $2.17 |
| Maximum charge | $7,299 | $7,299 |
Source: NSW Ambulance – Accounts & Fees
For non-NSW residents, like someone travelling interstate for a holiday, the cost for emergency use will be a little higher.
Here are the fees for road ambulance transport for non-NSW residents (as of November 2024).
| Emergency | Non-emergency | |
| Call-out fee | $873 | $351 |
| Variable rate (per km) | $7.88 | $2.17 |
| Maximum charge | N/A | N/A |
Source: NSW Ambulance – Accounts & Fees
As you can see, ambulance services can get pretty expensive if you don’t have the right private health insurance or ambulance coverage.
Helpful tip:
Be sure to review your policy to confirm that ambulance coverage is included. Also, keep an eye on your renewal date, as it typically occurs annually and may come with an increase in your premium.
It’s a good idea to give your insurer a call before renewal time to discuss any changes in your coverage or premiums. This will help you stay informed and give you a chance to explore other options if there’s a big rise in your premium.
Dr. Jill Gamberg
GP, Coach and Lifestyle Medicine Coach
Does Medicare cover ambulance fees in New South Wales?
Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of ambulance services in NSW.
Who is exempt from paying ambulance fees in New South Wales?
In NSW, ambulance services are free of charge if you hold one of the following concession cards.
| Eligible concession card | Coverage for … |
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Even if you don’t have a concession, there are still situations where ambulance fees can be waived. For example, children or young people in state care, victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse, and patients being taken involuntarily to a mental health facility won’t have to pay.
If you aren’t eligible for a concession and don’t want to pay call-out fees, you’ll need to take out ambulance cover, either as a standalone policy or through private hospital cover.
Am I charged the ambulance fee if someone else called triple-O?
If someone else calls triple-O for you in an emergency, you’ll be the one responsible for paying any ambulance fees, since you’re the one being treated.
Why get ambulance cover in New South Wales?
No surprise bills
Your health policy can help cover some of your ambulance costs, which could be over $7,000 in certain situations.
Be covered quickly
Most policies have a one-day waiting period for ambulance cover, so you can get the help you need fast.
Find complete care
Some insurers offer standalone ambulance cover, but you can also bundle ambulance cover with extras or hospital packages. This makes it easier to get full protection with one plan.
Ambulance cover through private health in New South Wales – what to look for
Each policy comes with its own set of inclusions and conditions around ambulance cover. Knowing what to look out for will help you select a policy that best suits you. This includes checking what you’re covered for, as well as any limitations or exclusions.
When choosing ambulance cover in NSW, it’s handy to consider the following:
Am I covered for interstate travel?
Some policies will cover you in any state, while others will only provide cover within NSW.
Am I covered for transport between hospitals?
Not all policies cover hospital-to-hospital transfers, so it’s a good idea to double check your policy details, in case you need to move to get the right care.
Are call-out fees covered?
Not all policies cover ambulance call-out fees, which means if you’re treated at the scene of the incident but aren’t transported to hospital, you could still get charged.
Are air ambulance and other transport covered?
Look into which modes of transport are covered by your policy. Some will include cover for air ambulance, and other state or private transport providers.
What are the waiting periods (if any)?
Most policies come with a waiting period for ambulance cover, but in most cases, this is one day. Just be sure to check the details beforehand, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions.
Am I covered for the entire ambulance fee?
It’s important to check whether your policy covers you for the full amount of your ambulance costs, or whether you need to make a co-payment.
How do I choose ambulance cover in New South Wales?
Looking to compare your hospital cover so it includes ambulance cover too? Start by comparing health policies from iSelect’s range of providers to see what suits you best. Our health comparison experts are here to find a plan for those unexpected emergencies without breaking the bank. Got questions? Or want to find out more about choosing ambulance cover in NSW? Contact our comparison experts on 1800 784 772.
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- 1.NSW Ambulance – Accounts & Fees