Queensland ambulance fees for international visitors from 1 July 2026: $1,559.57 emergency transport

From 1 July 2026, emergency ambulance transport in Queensland—Code 1 and Code 2—has a flat fee of $1,559.57. The other listed charges are $577.72 for non-emergency transport (Code 3 and Code 4), $158.39 for treatment without transport, and $26.63 for a Casualty Room Consultation. These are Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) charges, not a promise of insurance coverage: the official visitor guidance, checked 1 October 2026, says overseas visitors are responsible for service costs and should check any applicable insurance arrangement.

What are the Queensland ambulance charges from 1 July 2026?

The Queensland government’s fee table separates transport, treatment without transport and consultation charges:

QAS service	Published fee category	From 1 July 2025	From 1 July 2026
Emergency transport	Code 1 and Code 2, flat rate	$1,508.64	$1,559.57
Non-emergency transport	Code 3 and Code 4, flat rate	$558.85	$577.72
Ambulance treatment with no transport	Callout, flat rate	$153.22	$158.39
Casualty Room Consultation	Consultation fee	$25.76	$26.63

QAS lists the Casualty Room Consultation separately and does not state that every attendance attracts every listed service. The charges should therefore not be treated as an automatic total.

Who is responsible for paying a Queensland ambulance invoice?

The Queensland Ambulance Service operates under the Ambulance Service Act 1991. Its guidance states that a person whose principal place of residence is outside Queensland is responsible for paying any QAS invoice issued to them, subject to any applicable exemption or payment arrangement.

For overseas visitors, QAS says there are no reciprocal ambulance-service arrangements in Queensland. International visitors are responsible for the services received and must pay their QAS invoice in full unless an applicable exemption, insurance arrangement or other listed scheme pays it.

There are also no general reciprocal arrangements between QAS and interstate ambulance services. Medicare does not cover the cost of ambulance services in Queensland.

Could private health insurance or travel insurance pay?

It depends on whether the policy covers the ambulance service received.

• Private health insurance: If you held cover for ambulance services at the time, QAS says to advise the insurer and check the coverage. If the policy covers the service, forward the invoice to the insurer for processing and payment.
• Travel insurance: Request a receipt when paying so you can make a claim through the policy, if applicable.
• Overseas visitor health cover: Check your own policy documents. The QAS fee schedule does not establish that any particular OVHC product covers emergency transport, non-emergency transport, treatment without transport or consultation.

Also check the Department of Home Affairs information for your visa. Visa requirements, insurance coverage and QAS payment liability are separate questions.

Do payment exemptions or interstate arrangements apply?

Payment may be exempt if the applicable condition was met at the time of the ambulance service. QAS lists categories including:

• Being under 25 and a full-time student at an educational institution in Queensland. A letter confirming your age and full-time enrolment at the time of service is requested.
• Being under 25 and a full-time student at an educational institution in another state or territory, and being the child of a Queensland resident. QAS requests proof of the parent’s Queensland residency, proof of the relationship and a letter confirming your age and enrolment.
• Holding an eligible Department of Veterans’ Affairs card. Copies of a DVA Gold or White card are requested.
• Being covered by a workers’ compensation claim under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 or by the Motors Accident Insurance Fund.

A visitor from another Australian state or territory may also qualify for payment in specific circumstances. QAS identifies categories involving an NSW pensioner or health care cardholder, a Victorian pensioner, health care cardholder or Victoria Ambulance Service member, an eligible South Australia Ambulance Service membership with interstate cover, or valid St John Ambulance NT membership. These are specific arrangements, not a general reciprocal entitlement.

How can the invoice be paid or disputed?

QAS lists the following account details for account payments:

Payment detail	Listed information
Bank account name	Queensland Health – Queensland Ambulance Service
BSB	064-013
Bank account number	10000396
SWIFT code for international payments	CTBAAU2S

Confirm the payment details against your invoice before transferring funds.

If you did not receive the ambulance service, wish to dispute the invoice, or want to request an invoice exemption with the required residency and other evidence, contact:

Queensland Ambulance Service
c/- Queensland Shared Services
GPO Box 173
Brisbane QLD 4001

Phone: (07) 5479 7200
Email: mcy.debtadmin@chde.qld.gov.au

Sources

• Queensland Ambulance Treatment and Transport

FAQ

Does Medicare cover these Queensland ambulance charges?

No. QAS states that Medicare does not cover the cost of ambulance services in Queensland.

Will my overseas visitor health policy pay the QAS invoice?

Only if your policy covers the relevant ambulance service. Check the policy documents and ask the insurer whether the specific transport, treatment or consultation charge is covered.

Is there a reciprocal ambulance service that will pay for me?

QAS has no reciprocal arrangement for overseas visitors or general interstate visitors. Specific exemptions or home-state ambulance schemes may apply, but eligibility depends on the listed category and your circumstances at the time of service.

What should I do if I did not receive the service or dispute the invoice?

Contact QAS using the phone number, email or postal address above. Explain the issue and include any relevant invoice or supporting evidence.

What should I do in an emergency?

Dial Triple Zero on 000. If the situation is not an emergency but could be serious, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84. Local call costs apply, and calls from mobile phones may attract a higher charge.