Ambulance cover in New South Wales

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What is ambulance cover?

How much do ambulance services cost in New South Wales?

Does Medicare cover ambulance fees in New South Wales?

Who is exempt from paying ambulance fees in New South Wales?

Am I charged the ambulance fee if someone else called Triple Zero (000)?

Why should I get ambulance cover if I live in New South Wales?

What should I look for in private health ambulance cover for New South Wales?

How do I choose ambulance cover in New South Wales?

Long story short

Ambulance costs can be up to $7,600 or more in New South Wales

Call-out fees start at $365 with an additional per-kilometre fee on top for your round trip. For non-residents, the state government doesn’t subsidise any costs.

Some concession card holders get free ambulance services

For instance, pensioners and Health Care Card holders are exempt from paying ambulance fees for emergency services.

Medicare doesn’t cover ambulances but health insurance can

Ambulance services aren’t subsidised by Medicare but having private ambulance cover could help you avoid costly bills in an emergency.

What is ambulance cover?

Ambulance cover is a type of health insurance that helps cover the costs of ambulance transport and is an alternative to an ambulance subscription. You can purchase ambulance-only cover or opt for another kind of private health insurance, like hospital cover, with ambulance cover included.

Ambulance cover can include emergency ambulance trips, like if your life is at immediate risk without urgent medical treatment, as well as non-emergency ones, like transferring between hospitals.

How much do ambulance services cost in New South Wales?

Residents of New South Wales (NSW) can be a charged a maximum of $7,601 for an emergency or non-emergency ambulance as of July 2025.¹NSW Ambulance – Accounts & Fees There is no cap for non-NSW residents; instead there is a flat fee and a per kilometre cost (this is usually the distance between the ambulance station, pick-up address, destination and return to the ambulance station). For instance, an emergency ambulance has a $909 call-out fee and the cost increases by $8.20 per kilometre travelled.

In NSW, the state government doesn’t cover the full cost of ambulance services, but they do provide a subsidy. If you are a NSW resident without private hospital or ambulance cover, you’ll be billed for 51% of the total fee, with the NSW Government covering 49%. This is why the NSW-resident fees are less than those for non-residents in the table below.

If aircraft or helicopters are involved, you’ll also have to pay an additional charge per kilometre on top of your call out fee.

Ambulance fees in New South Wales

Helpful tip

Be sure to review your health insurance 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 Physician

Does Medicare cover ambulance fees in New South Wales?

No, Medicare and the Australian Government don’t cover the cost of ambulance services in New South Wales (NSW). New South Wales’ state ambulance service provider is NSW Ambulance.

There are different state schemes and ambulance providers in each Australian state. Emergency ambulance cover can be important for Australians who otherwise rely on Medicare to help cover their health service costs in case they need emergency ambulance transport.

Who is exempt from paying ambulance fees in New South Wales?

In New South Wales, residents who hold certain concession cards are able to use some ambulance services free of charge. This means you won’t have an out-of-pocket cost, even if you don’t have ambulance cover from a health fund. For instance, if you have a Health Care Card, you won’t charged for emergency or non-emergency trips in NSW.

You won’t be charged for road and air emergency and non-emergency services if you have one or more of the following eligible concession cards:

• Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
• Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

If you have a Department of Veterans Affairs White Card, the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay for ambulance services related to a specific condition.

Even if you don’t have a concession card, there are still situations where ambulance fees can be waived, like 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.

Am I charged the ambulance fee if someone else called Triple Zero (000)?

Yes, even if someone else calls Triple Zero (000) for you in an emergency, you’ll likely be responsible for paying any emergency ambulance service fees as you’re the one being treated. Having ambulance cover might give you peace of mind about avoiding a big bill for unexpected emergencies where you’re unable to call for help yourself or independently get to a hospital.

Why should I get ambulance cover if I live in New South Wales?

Medicare doesn’t cover emergency transport and, unlike some states, New South Wales (NSW) does not provide free ambulance services. If you live in NSW, ambulance cover can be convenient, offering quick cover and minimising the likelihood of surprise ambulance bills. You can also bundle it with other health insurance product for more comprehensive cover.

You might be interested in taking out ambulance cover in NSW if you want to:

• Avoid surprise bills: Private health insurance can help cover some of your ambulance costs, which could be over $7,000 in certain situations.
• Get quick coverage: 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 hospital or extras cover. This makes it easier to get protection with one handy plan.

What should I look for in private health ambulance cover for New South Wales?

When comparing ambulance cover options for New South Wales (NSW), it can be handy to check if a policy includes cover for if you’re interstate, different types of ambulance transport, how much is covered and if there’s a waiting period. Knowing what to look out for will help you select a policy that best suits you.

It’s worth checking the policy details to ensure it includes cover for:

• road, sea and air ambulance transport in case you need to be rescued from an isolated or difficult-to-reach area
• state and private transport providers, depending on where in NSW or Australia you travel to
• patient transport between hospitals where medically necessary in case the initial hospital you attend cannot provide you with the care you need
• multiple states, not just NSW, in case you need an ambulance while travelling interstate
• callout-fees, so you won’t be charged if you only need treatment at the scene, rather than being taken to hospital
• full or just partial coverage of the ambulance fee, like needing to make a co-payment

Its also well worth checking if there are any waiting periods before you can start using your ambulance cover (one day is typical but policies can vary).

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 insurance comparison experts are here to find a plan for those unexpected emergencies without breaking the bank. All you need to do is call 1800 784 772. Or you can DIY and use our online comparison tool.