Definitly not free.  We travelled through Qld from WA in '08 (in our '07 Paramount Delta lol) and twice had to make use of an ambulance.  First trip, approx 20km with some patient stabilisation was $900 odd and the next which was at the Camoweal free camp just for a nurse visit to the site which was done in their ambo as was customary was another $500 odd.

Luckily we were had ambulance cover in WA (as it is not free here either) and the reciprical arrangement meant we were covered in Qld too so nothing out of pocket for us.

Cheers Neil

 

Hi Neil

Thanks for the info I meant transport was free for Qld Residents. Any suggestions about how to go about organising coverage in other states?

I enquired ages ago & was tod by QATB that we are covered in other states (as pensioners) You just refer them back to Qld ambulance who cover the bill. A few years ago I went by ambulance from Tumbarumba to Wagga & I wasn't charged anything

Thank you to everyone for your quick replies I will ring the QLD QATB number for further info
Cheers Denise & Rex

It's been my experience in that they send you a bill (sometimes) and all you do is put your pension number in the appropriate place and send it back.  Nothing more heard about it.

I am in NSW so if you needed an ambulance in NSW then I would imagine that you just put your QLD pension number on it, including the fact that it is QLD and send it back.

hi Rocket, as i understand it there is reciprocal rights bewtween states, BUT remember that if say your were a pensioner in victoria and say for instance you had an accident in say WA, the trip to hospital would be covered as per agreement, BUT, if you then had to be transported to another hospital etc that is NOT covered unless you have ambulance cover, thats how i understand it, regards, gary

we live in WA, had to use the RFDS ( i suppose that is classed as an ambulance) from the Nullarbor to Port Augusta, and have not received a bill, I THINK it's free in all states if you are a pensioner, but I would still do the check's, send them an email and when they reply you will have it in writing, print it out and take with you on your trips

Ambulance coverage in S.A is not free even if you are a pensioner I rang up about travelling interstate and was told that as we pay for ambulance coverage in S.A. and we use an ambulance interstate they may give us a bill but we just send it on to our ambulance coverage in S.A and they cover the toatal cost. I don't know how it works in other states but this the situation in S.A. Hope this might help with others on the forum but as had been said better to ring and find out for sure as it can be quite a costly thing. Helena.

I pay for ambulance cover annually, even though I'm a pensioner. The small fee is a "donation" to this wonderful service.
The RFDS is certainly free, that is why they have to raise so much money to run the planes, pay the pilots and the medical staff who accompany the patients.
There used to be an air ambulance service as well, but the RFDS does it all now.
When in Qld for more than 2 years, despite the fact I didn't pay a power bill, I was covered, and had to use the Ambulance in Cairns.
It's a wonderful system, and despite the fact it's "free" to some, I think a small contribution would be a small price to pay.
There is still the voluntary sector of the ambulance which attends sporting functions, as well as the paid para-medical sector.
If you get the chance, I'd recommend everyone does the senior first aid course, conducted by the Ambulance Service.
Then hope you never have to use it.
As a traveller of a lot of kilometres, my worst fear is being the first to a crash scene.
While the adrenalin would kick to do what needs doing to tend the injured, I'm sure the shock would set in some time after. Being able to be effective at the time would be of great relief.

Australian Government health care care holders and Pensioners are covered Australia wide by the Commonwealth Govenment.
This includes all transfers and air Amuulance etc...
Non pensioners with State Ambulance membership are covered in each other State under State reciprocal care arrangements.

Cheers, Ozjohn.