Who pays a Queensland ambulance bill for an overseas visitor?

According to Queensland Government guidance, an overseas visitor whose principal place of residence is outside Queensland is responsible for any Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) invoice issued to them unless a listed exemption applies, and Medicare does not cover ambulance services in Queensland. Queensland has no reciprocal ambulance arrangement for overseas visitors; the current flat rates are $1559.57 for emergency transport Codes 1 and 2 and $158.39 for ambulance treatment with no transport. The information was checked 1 October 2026.

Who is responsible for a QAS invoice?

Queensland Government says the QAS operates under the Ambulance Service Act 1991. Its payment rule is based on a person’s principal place of residence: if that residence is outside Queensland, the person is responsible for paying the invoice issued after using QAS services.

By contrast, the Queensland Ambulance Service’s emergency ambulance information says Queensland residents pay no cost for ambulance treatment and transport, including treatment and transport in other parts of Australia.

Does Medicare or a reciprocal arrangement pay it?

Medicare does not cover the cost of ambulance services in Queensland.

Queensland Government also states that:

• there are no reciprocal ambulance arrangements for overseas visitors;
• international visitors are responsible for the services provided and should pay their QAS invoice in full; and
• there are no reciprocal arrangements between QAS and interstate ambulance services.

Private health insurance or applicable travel insurance may provide a separate route to reimbursement, but it does not create an automatic public ambulance arrangement. These payment rules do not change how to obtain emergency help: QAS says to dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

What fees are listed?

Queensland Government lists the following flat fees per service:

Service	From 1 July 2025	From 1 July 2026
Emergency transport Code 1 and Code 2	$1,508.64	$1559.57
Non-emergency transport Code 3 and Code 4	$558.85	$577.72
Ambulance treatment with no transport — callout	$153.22	$158.39
Casualty Room Consultation	$25.76	$26.63

Treatment without transport and transport are listed separately. Compare the service and effective date on your invoice with the published categories rather than assuming that every invoice contains the same charge.

Could a payment exemption apply?

Payment may be exempt if the applicable condition was met when the ambulance service occurred. Queensland Government identifies these categories:

Possible exemption category	Evidence or condition
Under 25 and a full-time student at a Queensland educational institution	A letter confirming that you were under 25 and enrolled full-time at the time of the ambulance service
Under 25, a full-time student at an institution in another state or territory, and a child of a Queensland resident	Proof of the parent’s Queensland residency, proof of the parent-child relationship, and a letter confirming your age and full-time enrolment at the time of service
Holder of an eligible Department of Veterans’ Affairs card	Copies of a DVA Gold or White card
Covered by a workers’ compensation claim under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, or covered by the Motors Accident Insurance Fund	Contact QAS about the applicable evidence

The exemption depends on the condition at the time of service, not simply on your circumstances when you later receive or dispute the invoice.

Can private health or travel insurance help?

Possibly, but the applicable policy terms determine whether the cost can be reimbursed.

Option	What to do
Private health insurance with ambulance cover	Tell the insurer that you received QAS services and check your coverage. If you are covered through a private health insurer, QAS says to forward the invoice to the insurer for processing and payment.
Applicable travel insurance	Request a receipt when you pay QAS, then use the invoice and receipt to claim if the policy covers the service and expense.

Check the policy documents before assuming that ambulance transport, a treatment-only callout or any other QAS charge is covered. If your circumstances involve an Australian visa, also check the Australian Department of Home Affairs page for that visa rather than assuming it determines ambulance coverage.

What should I do with the invoice?

1. Check the invoice. Identify the service listed and the date on which the fee applied.
2. Request a payment receipt. QAS specifically tells international visitors to request a receipt so they can claim through applicable travel insurance.
3. Check your insurance documents. Contact the private health insurer or travel insurer before assuming that reimbursement is available.
4. Forward the invoice if privately covered. If private health insurance covers the ambulance service, QAS says to send the invoice to the insurer for processing and payment.
5. Ask about an exemption promptly if relevant. An exemption request should include the applicable residency and other evidence.
6. Pay in full if no exemption or other payer applies. If you did not receive the ambulance service or wish to dispute the invoice, contact QAS.

For an exemption request, invoice dispute, or a service you did not receive, QAS publishes these contact details:

• Address: 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 — Queensland Government
• Emergency ambulance care and costs — Queensland Ambulance Service

FAQ

Does Medicare cover a Queensland ambulance service?

No. Queensland Government expressly states that Medicare does not cover ambulance services in Queensland.

Does another ambulance service pay because I am visiting from overseas?

No reciprocal ambulance arrangement exists for overseas visitors in Queensland. International visitors are responsible for QAS service costs and are required to pay the invoice in full unless an exemption or a separate insurance arrangement applies.

Can private health insurance pay the invoice?

It may. If you held private health insurance with ambulance cover at the time of the service, tell the insurer, check the coverage and, if covered, forward the invoice for processing and payment.

Can travel insurance reimburse the charge?

It may, depending on the policy. Request a receipt of your QAS payment and follow the insurer’s claim process. The receipt does not itself guarantee reimbursement.

Can a student be exempt from the charge?

Possibly. The listed categories include a person under 25 who was a full-time student at a Queensland educational institution, or a person under 25 who was a full-time student in another state or territory and was a child of a Queensland resident. The relevant condition and evidence must have applied at the time of the ambulance service.