If your child gets hurt at a football game and needs an ambulance, who pays for it? Most parents assume Medicare covers it. Or that the registration fee already paid covers it. Both assumptions are wrong almost everywhere in Australia. Here is what is actually going on, state by state, and what you can do about it.

Medicare does not pay for ambulance. Anywhere in Australia.

This catches almost everyone off guard. Section 126 of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Act 1973 specifically excludes ambulance services from Medicare. It is not an oversight. Medicare was designed not to fund ambulance, and every state ambulance service confirms this on its own website. Whether or not you pay for an ambulance ride depends entirely on which state you live in.

The two free states: Queensland and Tasmania

If you are a Queensland resident, the Queensland Government covers your emergency ambulance treatment and transport, anywhere in Australia. Your dependent children are included, including children under 25 who are full-time students. If a Queenslander is treated by an ambulance interstate, you forward the invoice to the Queensland Ambulance Service with proof of residency, and they pay it.

Tasmania is similar but more limited in scope. The state government waives ambulance fees for Tasmanian residents in most cases within Tasmania, and there are reciprocal agreements with some other states for emergency road transport only. Outside those reciprocal agreements, a Tasmanian travelling interstate could still be billed.

Every other state and territory operates a user-pays model.

What an ambulance call could cost in the user-pays states

NSW. From 1 July 2025, NSW residents are charged a $464 call-out fee plus $4.18 per kilometre for an emergency. The state government already subsidises 49% of the actual cost.

Victoria. The cost of one emergency road transport exceeds $1,200 according to Ambulance Victoria. Without membership or private health cover, you pay the full amount.

Western Australia. Perth metro fees are fixed: $609 for a patient transfer up to $1,133 for an urgent or life-threatening emergency. Country areas have a separate Country Ambulance Benefit Fund.

South Australia. SA Ambulance Service is user-pays. Treatment at the scene is billed even when no transport is involved.

ACT. Residents pay the standard fee unless they hold an ACT-recognised concession.

Northern Territory. St John NT operates under contract to the NT Government. The cost of an emergency call can exceed $1,000.

Three options for cover, and what to know about each

State ambulance membership. Available in Victoria (around $107 a year for a family), South Australia (around $204 a year for Standard Family Cover) and the Northern Territory (subscription from around $175 a year for a family). Western Australia residents in regional or remote areas can join a Country Ambulance Benefit Fund. NSW does not have a state membership scheme.

Private health insurance with ambulance cover. Most major funds offer ambulance cover, either bundled with hospital cover or as a standalone product. Standalone ambulance-only cover starts from around $100 a year. Three things to check before you assume you are covered: does the policy cover interstate use, does it cover non-emergency transport, and does it cover treatment without transport. These three exclusions catch a lot of families out at claim time.

Doing nothing. Many families do, and roll the dice. In the user-pays states, one ambulance call from a junior game can cost the equivalent of ten years of state membership. Worth knowing what you are choosing.

If you are on a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card with your child listed as a dependent, you may be exempt or discounted in some states. Rules vary. Check your state ambulance service's website for the specifics.

What your football registration does NOT cover

This is the part most parents miss. The personal accident insurance arranged through your child's Football Australia or state body registration is a benefits-only injury policy. It pays a fixed amount toward private medical expenses, dental and similar categories, after Medicare and any private health insurance have been claimed first. It does not cover ambulance transport. If you assumed your registration fee buys ambulance cover for your child, it does not. For the full picture of what your registration insurance actually covers and where it falls short, see What insurance you actually have through registration. For the wider view, hidden costs of junior football is the cluster article on costs that are not in the registration fee.

At a glance

  • QLD: free Australia-wide for residents and their dependent children.
  • TAS: free for residents in Tasmania in most cases.
  • NSW: $464 + $4.18/km. Private health ambulance cover is the main option.
  • VIC: $1,200+ without cover. Family Ambulance Victoria membership around $107 a year.
  • WA: $609 to $1,133 in Perth. Country fund available for regional residents.
  • SA: user-pays. Family Standard Cover around $204 a year.
  • ACT: user-pays. Private health ambulance cover is the main option.
  • NT: $1,000+ per call. Family subscription from around $175.

If your child plays football, ambulance is the cheapest insurance gap to close. Knowing what you have, and what you do not, is the first step.