Tasmania is the only state that currently has no charges for Ambulance use.

In 2008 the Tasmanian government announced that it would not be proceeding with its proposed fee for service system of ambulance charges. We remain ready to work with the government to develop a new system which will be equitable yet provide both sufficient and sustainable funding

The Ambulance Service requires additional funding to continue to provide an emergency service that we can be proud of. The Ambulance Service does not have the money needed to increase staffing levels and your committed Ambulance Officers are working huge amounts of overtime hours a month to cope with demand.

Ambulance Officers devote their time to saving people's lives - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week. They are an essential part of the Health System and are dedicated to ensuring that you get the pre-hospital care that you need.

Queensland does not have a charge for use for Ambulance Services, and has applied a levy to everyone as an effective method of ensuring that everyone pays and are covered for Ambulance Services. The levy is currently 27 cents per day per household.

Ambulance 2020 believes that the State Government should introduce a broad based Ambulance Levy, not an Ambulance Fee. This will ensure that all Tasmanians are able to access ambulance services that they require without having to pay charges when they need an ambulance.

An Ambulance Levy needs to be spread as widely throughout the community as possible to ensure that it is not an excessive charge and that funding for the Ambulance Service remains stable.

Ambulance 2020 also believes that groups within the community such as pensioners and health care card holders should be exempt from the levy.

What is the difference between a fee and a levy?

A fee is a charge for use arrangement, where if you require an Ambulance, you will be charged an estimated $690.00. A levy is a smaller annual cost that would apply to all Tasmanians. Once a levy is introduced, Tasmanians can feel free to call an Ambulance when they need one without the fear of receiving a bill for its use.

The Association was a pivotal member of the Ambulance 2020 coalition, lobbying the state goverment for adequate and sustainble funding for ambulance services in Tasmania.How much will I be charged when the legislation is introduced?

Once the Government introduces an Ambulance Fee, you will be charged an estimated $690 (as quoted by the ABC on 9 June 2007) per use. This could get up to $4,000 depending on how complex the case is.

Will I get charged if there is an Ambulance Levy?.

The charges will be spread amongst the community, so you will not be charged when you use an Ambulance.

Will I be charged if I have private health insurance?.

Your private health insurance premiums will rise if an Ambulance Fee is introduced and health insurance will only cover medically necessary transport.

Will I be charged if I am a pensioner or Health Care Card holder?.

If you do not have Private Health insurance or subscribe to the Ambulance Fee Scheme, yes, you will be charged.

How much would a levy be?

In Queensland, an annual levy of $90.20 per household has proven successful, and there are discounts offered to pensioners and health care card holders.

Read the speech given by Dianne Coon (VAOAT) at the Ambulance 2020 Forum, held on 5th February 2008.

Download a copy of the Ambulance 2020 petition.

Read the "Ambulance 2020" submission to the Tasmanian Government in response to the proposed Ambulance Usage Fee.

What happens in other Australian states? Read the report on the Queensland user-pays system.