Get medical help with an ambulance

Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if someone has a serious medical problem.

An Ambulance Victoria van driving through the streets of Melbourne.

Medical emergency examples:

  • A bad injury
  • Lots of bleeding
  • A strong allergic reaction
  • Bad burns
  • Severe chest pain
  • Sudden weakness and trouble speaking
  • Trouble breathing
  • Loss of consciousness
An Ambulance Victoria helicopter mid flight.

Calling an ambulance is not free for everyone. The cost can be over $1200 if you do not have insurance.

If you have private health insurance, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC), your ambulance may be covered. Check with your insurance company.

You can buy an Ambulance Victoria membership which covers the cost.

An Ambulance Victoria membership is $54* for an individual, or $106* for a family. This is a yearly fee.

More information here: ambulance.vic.gov.au/membership

*June 2025 prices

If you have private health insurance, the cost of an ambulance may be included in your insurance.

An ambulance is free in an emergency if you:

  • Have a concession card
  • Are an asylum seeker

More information on concessions here:

health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/ambulance-payment-responsibilities-authorisations-and-concessions

In Victoria, ambulances are a separate service from hospitals.

An ambulance will usually take you to the closest public hospital.

The care in a public hospital is excellent.

Emergency care is free in public hospitals for:

  • Asylum seekers
  • Australian citizens
  • Permanent residents
  • Medicare cardholders
A hospital room featuring a patient bed and a medical monitor displaying vital signs.

If you have:

  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)

Your insurance will most likely cover emergency care. Check with your insurance to be sure.

If you are not in this category, you will have to pay for care.

A prominent red emergency sign on a hospital's exterior wall.