Fees and charges

Ambulance fees and charges are approved by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and are reviewed annually.

Fees and charges

Medicare does not cover the cost of the provision of ambulance services.

ACT Legislation places a legal obligation on the person receiving the ambulance service to pay the account:
Section 201 (2) of the Emergencies Act 2004 provides that “A fee determined by a service provided to a person by an emergency service is payable by the person even if the person did not ask for, or consent to, the provision of the service”.

Please be advised that your information may be shared with Shared Services Ambulance Finance (SSAF) for the purpose of billing. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, date of birth (DOB), address, and phone number.

Emergency Ambulance Services

These services are accessed by calling ‘000’

Services Cost
Emergency ambulance service (treatment and transport)

 

$1143 (+$15/km for every km travelled outside the ACT)

 

Emergency ambulance service (treatment not including transport)

 $791

Medical treatment follows a set of guidelines set out by Emergencies Act 2004 and under the Act medical treatment means:

(a) undertaking a medical examination and assessment; or

(b) giving medical advice; or

(c) giving first aid; or

(d) undertaking a medical procedure; or

(e) administering medication.

Non-Emergency Ambulance Services

These services are booked services and can only be accessed following referral from a health service or health service provider. The requesting health service provider determines the level of service required.

As per Section 201 (2) of the Emergencies Act 2004, legal obligation is placed on the person receiving the Ambulance service to pay the account. There may be some circumstances where the hospital may assume financial responsibility for the account. However, in the first instance the patient will usually receive the invoice and it is at their discretion to contact the hospital’s business manager for advice.

 

Services

 

Cost
Non-emergency ambulance service (treatment and transport) by an Ambulance Paramedic or an Intensive Care Paramedic $816 (+$15/km for every km travelled outside the ACT)

 

Non-emergency ambulance service (treatment and transport) by Patient Transport Service resource

$364 (+$5.40/km for every km travelled outside the ACT) (The application of 10% GST will be determined when invoicing)

 

If you receive care from the ACT Ambulance Service, you are legally obliged to pay for ambulance fees (Emergency Ambulance Services and Non-Emergency patient Transport).

Please note Ambulance accounts may be paid by instalment. Questions about fees and charges can be directed to:

SharedServicesAmbulanceFinance@act.gov.au – 02 6207 9990

Shared Services Accounts Receivable
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Ambulance costs in the Australian Capital Territory

Calling triple zero (000) for an ambulance can save lives.

Please call 000 for an ambulance in a medical emergency.

We know that during stressful times, the costs of paying for an ambulance can seem daunting. If you live in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), there are many circumstances that mean you won’t have to pay an ambulance fee.

ACT Ambulance fee exemptions are designed to support the most vulnerable members of our community and ensure that in times of medical emergencies the appropriate medical and ambulance response is able to be provided.

Private health cover is available as “ambulance only cover” whether clients are transported or not and can be purchased for as little as $100 per year. You can find the available health funds at www.privatehealth.gov.au.

Circumstances where fees are not payable by you

  • The following circumstances are when you are not required to pay an ACT Ambulance fee.
  • Each circumstance may require you to provide verification of eligibility for this exemption.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.
  • These exemptions are designed to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
Incidents involving a motor vehicle on an ACT Road or road related area
  • If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident on an ACT road or road related area you are entitled to free ambulance services provided at the scene of the accident.
  • Please note that e-scooters are defined under the road traffic regulations as a personal mobility device and are not covered under this exemption.
ACT School Students

ACT School students who are injured or become ill at school or during approved school activities within the ACT are entitled to free emergency ambulance services that includes medical treatment and ambulance transport.

If you believe yourself or someone under your care fits this exemption, please forward the invoice to the School Secretary and request the school issue a letter of confirmation back to SSAF@act.gov.au or via post to:
Shared Services Accounts Receivable
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA, ACT, 2601

Victim of domestic or family violence or sexual assault

Victim of domestic or family violence or sexual assault are entitled to free emergency ambulance services that includes medical treatment and ambulance transport.

Please contact Shared Services (SSAF@act.gov.au) with your customer and invoice number for a case review. If we are unable to determine the exemption applicable to your case, we may further request you to provide additional information, which may include evidence from a relevant supporting organisation or medical professional.

What to do

  • If you call, or someone calls on your behalf, an ambulance as a result of domestic or family violence or sexual assault, discuss this with the paramedics and medical staff when you are in a safe position to do so.
  • They will provide you with information and advice on any further action required to enable the granting of this waiver.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.
Minors under care orders
  • If you are, or care for, a child or young person who meets the definition of an entitled person under the Children and Young People Act 2008, you are not required to pay an ambulance fee.
  • This waiver only applies to the child or young person for whom the ambulance is called.
Deceased persons

If an ACT resident is unable to be resuscitated or dies while in the care of the ACT Ambulance Service, or where a person is known to have been declared deceased within the Emergency Department, no ambulance fees will be charged.

Assessment upon request of emergency service personnel
  • If on-duty Emergency Services personnel request for you to be assessed as a patient, you will not receive an ambulance fee for medical treatment.
  • This is only applicable where the ACT Ambulance Service does not subsequently transport you to hospital.
  • Should you be transported to hospital, you may be charged an ambulance fee.
  • You may be eligible for a waiver under another category listed on this page.
Victim of violent crime

Victims of violent crime are entitled to free emergency ambulance services that includes medical treatment and ambulance transport.

Please note these billing exemptions are current for episodes of care with ACTAS as of 1 July, 2023, and do not apply for cases preceding this date.

Please contact Shared Services (SSAF@act.gov.au) with your customer and invoice number for a case review. If we are unable to determine the exemption applicable to your case, we may further request you to provide additional information, which may include evidence from a relevant supporting organisation or medical professional.

Palliative Care Patient

Where ambulance services are provided to a person receiving any treatment or transport for the provision of palliative care, including voluntary assisted dying, no fees will be charged.

Please note these billing exemptions are current for episodes of care with ACTAS as of 1 July, 2023, and do not apply for cases preceding this date.

Mental Health

Where emergency ambulance services are provided to patients placed on an Emergency Apprehension Order under Sec 80 of the Mental Health Act 2015, or where a patient meets the criteria under Sec 80 (a) and (b) but comes voluntarily to an appropriate health facility, or the patient is treated by the Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response team, no ambulance fees will be charged.

 

Circumstances where fees may not be payable by you

  • The following circumstances may result in your Ambulance fees being paid by another provider.
  • Each circumstance may require you to provide verification of payment by someone other than yourself.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf. This may be an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or a parent/guardian in the event of the person being under 18 years old.
  • These are designed for individuals who may be eligible for free ambulance services under other schemes, including private health insurance.
Pensioners and concession card holders

Most aged pension and health care concession card holders will be entitled to free of charge ambulances services within the ACT.

What to do

  • If you are an ACT Pensioner, Concession or Health Care Cardholder and are sent an ambulance account; photocopy the front and back of your pension or health care card and return to the address on the account (or, preferably, email scanned documents to SSAF@act.gov.au.)
  • If you are a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) card holder entitled to free ambulance, please contact DVA to have the account endorsed.

What happens next

  • If you are eligible, your account will be waived or DVA will complete arrangements to pay the account
  • If you are not eligible, you will be required to make arrangements to pay the account
Private Health Insurance

We strongly advise that you check the specific terms of your policy with your registered health fund.

What to do

  • If you have private health insurance or ambulance only cover, please contact your health fund to have the account endorsed.
  • Your fund will need to forward an endorsed copy of the invoice to: SharedServicesAmbulanceFinance@act.gov.au or the postal address listed on this page under fees and charges

What happens next

  • If you are eligible, your insurer will pay the account
  • If you are not eligible, you will be required to make arrangements to pay the account
Acts of Good Samaritans

If you are provided with Ambulance services, including medical treatment, as a result of injuries received whilst performing a Good Samaritan act, you may have your fee waived.

What to do

  • If you call, or someone calls on your behalf, an ambulance as a result of a good Samaritan act, discuss this with the paramedics and medical staff when you are in a safe position to do so. They will provide you with information and advice on any further action required to enable the granting of this waiver.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.
  • If you don’t have the opportunity to discuss this at the time of receiving the ACT Ambulance Service, you can provide evidence of this to SharedServicesAmbulanceFinance@act.gov.au or the postal address listed on this page under fees and charges.

What happens next

  • If you are eligible, your fees will be waived
  • If you are not eligible, you will be required to make arrangements to pay the account

 

Circumstances where you may apply for a waiver under Financial Hardship or Exceptional Circumstances

  • The following circumstances are when you may apply for a waiver for payment of ACT Ambulance fees.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf. This may be an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or a parent/guardian in the event of the person being <18 years old.
Financial Hardship

If you will experience unreasonable financial hardship as a result of receiving an ambulance account, you, or someone on your behalf, may apply for a waiver of your ambulance fees.

What to do

  • You can provide evidence to of this to SharedServicesAmbulanceFinance@act.gov.au or the postal address listed on this page under fees and charges.
  • This evidence can be provided by a charity, financial aid organisation, hospital or other social aid organisation on your behalf, or included in your submission.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.

What happens next

  • If Chief Officer ACT Ambulance Service determines that you meet the criteria of financial hardship, your ambulance fees will be waived.
  • If you are not eligible, you will be required to make arrangements to pay the account.
Exceptional circumstances
  • You can apply to Chief Officer, ACT Ambulance Service for a waiver to your ambulance fees if you meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.
  • The following are currently identified as approved exceptional circumstances.
  • If you have a different circumstance that should be considered exceptional, you may also submit it for consideration by Chief Officer, ACT Ambulance Service.

Current approved exceptional circumstances:

  • You were under 18 years and as a result of the accident or other event resulted in you being the only survivor in their immediate family.
  • You had applied for, but not yet received, a relevant concession card prior to receiving the ambulance services, and the application for the card was subsequently approved.
  • You are undergoing extensive and lifesaving medical treatment and as a result is reliant on assistance from government or not-for-profit organisations in order to meet your basic costs of living and the requirement to pay for the ambulance services would cause unreasonable hardship.

What to do

  • If you believe that you are able to provide evidence of having exceptional circumstances, submit all documentation to demonstrate this to SharedServicesAmbulanceFinance@act.gov.au or the address listed under the Charges and Fee section on this page.
  • This application may be submitted by someone who is authorised to act on your behalf.

What happens next

  • If Chief Officer ACT Ambulance Service determines that you meet the criteria of financial hardship, your ambulance fees will be waived.
  • If you are not eligible, you will be required to make arrangements to pay the account

 

Interstate or overseas visitor to the Australian Capital Territory

NSW, NT, WA, VIC, SA or TAS residents: If you are a member of and covered by your state ambulance service or private health fund please forward this invoice to your home state Ambulance Service or private health fund for verification of membership.

Please note that SA residents who are a member of the South Australian Ambulance Service Fund may need to check their level of cover with the service.

QLD residents: Please contact Queensland Ambulance Service on 1300 369 003 or via email at QASDebt@ambulance.QLD.gov.au

International visitors to the ACT are responsible for Ambulance fees under the Emergency Act 2004. It is possible some travel health insurers may cover this account, however, this at their discretion. In the first instance, the invoice will be billed to the person receiving the service.

Interpreting your invoice

See below for a sample invoice with information on understanding the document, including the amount payable, due date, and payment details.

Click to enlarge

ACTAS invoice mockup