Some ambulance services are provided free of charge to people who hold a valid concession card at the time of transport and meet the following criteria:
Pensioners/Concession Card holders
If you hold a valid:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
- Repatriation Health Card - (also known as "Gold Card") issued by the Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs (excluding non-emergency ambulance services)
- Repatriation Health Card - (also known as "White Card") issued by the Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs, but only for ambulance services which relate to a specific condition that is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Other exemptions
You will also be exempt if you are:
- a child/young people in the care of the State under the Children and Young Person's (Care and Protection) Act 1998
- a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse
- a patient being taken involuntarily to a declared mental health facility under the Mental Health Act 2007 or the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990.
Note: The patient must have a valid health care card and/or pensioner concession card to be exempt from the fee. Partner or family members listed on the primary card holder and whom concession entitlements are not verified from Centrelink will not be exempt from paying for ambulance services.
COVID-19 Exemptions
Any patient who receives an invoice from NSW Ambulance and their reason for treatment and/or transport is related to COVID-19, will be exempt from paying the invoice. The same applies for patients who have had an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Patients who receive an invoice can contact NSW Ambulance on 1300 655 200 to request an exemption. An exemption can be lodged online – please login with your invoice number and follow the prompts.