Ambulance licensing

Private ambulance licensing

Private ambulance operators can apply for a restricted ambulance service licence, under the provisions of section 58 of the Health Care Act 2008, to provide non emergency ambulance services. A licensed private ambulance operator may provide emergency ambulance services when authorised by SA Ambulance Service.

The definition of an emergency ambulance service (which must be requested using 000) is for a person requiring immediate medical attention; non-emergency ambulance services are considered non-urgent transport.

Restricted ambulance service licence holders are subject the requirements outlined in Schedule 1 - Acuity Definitions and Crew Competencies (PDF 235KB) and Schedule 2 - Ambulance Equipment and Systems (PDF 255KB).

Applying for a private ambulance licence

The Clinical Regulation Policy and Licensing team administers private ambulance licensing on behalf of the Minster for Health and Wellbeing. A licence is required by all private operators of an ambulance service.

To apply for a licence, applicants are to complete and submit the following:

Fees for a private ambulance licence

The prescribed application fee must be paid before an application will be assessed. The fee is indexed annually and published by notice in the Gazette.

The fees, which apply to private ambulance services licensed under Part 6 of the Health Care Act 2008, will operate from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024:

  • licence application fee $2,672.00
  • fee for grant of licence $2,672.00
  • variation of licence fee $776.00
  • variation of licence conditions fee $1,603.00
  • renewal of licence fee (0-9 vehicles) $2,138.00
  • renewal of licence fee (10+ vehicles) $3,207.00

Private ambulance licensing assessment process

A licence application will first be assessed to meet governance requirements. Once assessed, an inspection of the vehicles and equipment proposed to be used by the applicant will be undertaken by persons authorised by the Minister.

A decision to grant a licence will not be made until this process is complete.

According to section 58 (17) of the Health Care Act 2008:

A person who objects to a decision of the Minister under this section—

  1. refusing to grant a licence to the person; or
  2. attaching conditions to, or varying conditions of, a licence granted to the person; or
  3. suspending or revoking a licence granted to the person,

may apply to the Tribunal for review of the decision under section 34 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013

Other legislation that may apply, separate to that administered by the Clinical Regulation Policy and Licensing team includes but is not limited to:

Private ambulance application timeframes

It may take up to 60 days to complete the assessment of a complete application. If the applicant is requested to provide additional information, a decision will be made within 28 days of receipt of the information last requested or within the 60 day period, whichever is later.

Applicants should keep these timeframes in mind when submitting an application.

Restricted (non-emergency) ambulance service licence renewal and variation

The Clinical Regulation Policy and Licensing team administers private ambulance service licensing on behalf of the Minster for Health and Wellbeing. A licence is required by all operators of a non-emergency ambulance service.

Operators seeking to renew their licence should commence the process 2-3 months prior to the existing licence expiry.

Complete the Restricted (non-emergency) Ambulance Service Licence Renewal Form to renew your licence.

Application and Renewal Documentation Checklist (PDF 148KB).

Complete the Restricted (non-emergency) Ambulance Service Licence Variation Form (DOCX 106KB) to update the details relating to your licence

Restricted (non-emergency) Ambulance Service Licence Holders

List of Restricted Ambulance Licence Holders in South Australia (PDF 175KB)

Holding out

Penalties apply to those holding out.

According to section 60 of the Act, Holding out etc.

  1. A person must not hold himself or herself out as a person who carries on the business of providing ambulance services unless he or she carries on that business and is either licensed under Part 6 or is a person who is not required to be licenced under Part 6 in relation to services provided in the course of carrying on that business.

Maximum penalty: $20,000.

  1. A person must not hold himself or herself out as a person who is engaged in the provision of ambulance services unless he or she is a member of the staff of a provider of ambulance services acting in accordance with the other provisions of Part 6.

Maximum penalty: $10,000.

Emergency ambulance service

SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) is authorised to provide state-wide emergency ambulance services and has powers under the Emergency Management Act 2004 and South Australian Public Health Act 2011 to direct a person holding a restricted ambulance service licence. The following aeromedical providers are prescribed under the Health Care Regulations 2008 to also provide emergency ambulance services:

  • Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Central Operations
  • Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd
  • The Department of Defence

Contact

For more information please contact the Clinical Regulation Policy and Licensing team. An authorised officer will respond to your query during business hours, Monday to Friday.

Email: Health.Licensing@sa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8226 7100