- New research from Compare the Market reveals Australian ambulance fees are some of the highest in the world
- The average cost of an ambulance in Australia is $915.25, with a $/km average charge of $6.07
- Ambulance journeys are not covered by Medicare, and rules and fees differ by state and territory
Ambulances are crucial as they provide life-saving care when people are in an emergency and can transport patients to hospital for surgery and treatment. But this important medical service isn’t cheap, even in a country like Australia that has a robust public health system.
New research from Compare the Market reveals that Australia has the second-highest ambulance fees out of the seven nations that were analysed, including countries like the UK, Japan, the USA, and Canada.
The average cost of an ambulance in Australia is $915.25, but there’s also the average $/km charge of $6.07 in addition to the callout fee. This average callout cost is based on emergency and non-emergency rates in each state and territory.
Tasmania had the highest cost at $1,692.23, plus $877.29 for the first 15 kilometres, and then $7.06 for every kilometre after that. However, Tasmanians don’t have to pay while they’re within Tasmania, but interstate visitors needing help while in Australia’s southernmost state will. While the base price is cheaper than Victoria’s, the additional per kilometre charge makes Tasmania the most expensive overall.
Victoria, which has different fees for rural and metro call outs, had the next highest fees for emergency ambulance care in the country. A rural Victorian emergency ambulance trip costs $2,059.00, while a metro emergency costs $1,936.00.
Queensland was the state with the next highest emergency fee at $1,459.09 – though this only applies to non-Queensland residents visiting the state, as Queenslanders get their ambulance costs covered completely by their State Government – regardless of where in the country the Queenslanders are when they call an ambulance.
Ambulance call-out fees in Australia by state and territory
| State | Call out classification | Road ambulance call out fee | Additional $/km charge |
| VIC | rural emergency | $2,059.00 | – |
| VIC | metro emergency | $1,936.00 | – |
| TAS | emergency | $1,692.23 | $7.06 + $877.29 for first 15 kilometres |
| QLD | emergency | $1,459.09 | $2.19 |
| WA | emergency* | $1,333.00 | – |
| SA | emergency | $1,171.00 | $6.70 |
| ACT | emergency | $1,107.00 | $14.00 |
| NT | emergency | $897.00 | $5.80 |
| ACT | non-emergency | $791.00 | $14.00 |
| VIC | rural non-emergency | $637.00 | – |
| WA | non-emergency* | $609.00 | – |
| QLD | non-emergency | $540.49 | $2.19 |
| NSW | emergency | $445.00 | $4.02 |
| NT | non-emergency | $407.00 | $5.80 |
| VIC | metro non-emergency | $377.00 | – |
| NSW | non-emergency | $351.00 | $2.17 |
| TAS | non-emergency (outside business hours) | $263.18 | $4.71 |
| SA | non-emergency | $262.00 | $6.70 |
| TAS | non-emergency (business hours) | $175.46 | $3.55 |
Disclaimer: These prices are subject to change and are intended as a guide only. Based on the circumstances additional charges and costs may apply. Prices accurate as of 20/09/2024.
Complicating the problem is that there are different rules across the states and territories on whether or not you have to pay, which is an additional headache you don’t need when receiving emergency care and transport.
While Queenslanders are covered country wide, and Tasmanians are covered in Tasmania and every other state and territory apart from Queensland or South Australia, Australians who reside in other states and territories will have to foot the bill should they need an ambulance.
Pensioners receive discounted ambulance fees (though they may have to be within their home state at the time for this to be covered), while veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card also get ambulance transport and care for free.
Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of Health, Life & Energy, Steven Spicer, explains that while some may assume Medicare covers the cost of emergency transport, this isn’t the case, and they could be caught out. While ambulances aren’t free, ambulance cover is a great option, as Mr Spicer explains.
“Private ambulance cover or ambulance subscription services are a lot more affordable than the cost of actually getting emergency medical care and transportation. We see this in multiple countries, including here in Australia across our states and territories,” says Mr Spicer.
“Also, the waiting periods for ambulance cover – which can be held on its own or as a part of a more extensive private health policy – are typically quite short, so you may be able to start using it in as little as one day after taking out cover, depending on the policy.”
To learn more and see how Australia compares to other countries, visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/health-insurance/features/cost-of-an-ambulance/.
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For interviews and more information, please contact:
James McCay | +61 450 930 374 | [email protected]
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