Ambulance Services in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: May 2024
ANZSIC Q8591Revenue
$6.5bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
24,305
Businesses
37
Wages
$X.Xbn
Ambulance Services in Australia industry analysis
Population growth has expanded the potential pool of patients for ambulance services in recent years. The ageing population has also driven demand for ambulance services over the period, as older people are more susceptible to incidents that require ambulance responses. Modest growth in household disposable income and a rise in private health insurance membership have also supported the ability of the population to pay ambulance services user charges. The number of ambulance services claimed under private health insurance has trended upwards in recent years, as has the average fee per service, adding to revenue growth.
Trends and Insights
- The Ambulance Services industry provides essential pre-hospital emergency services, the scope of which is gradually expanding as state governments look to ease the burden on public hospitals. This is moving the industry away from the 'treat and transport' care model.
- Ambulances transport patients and provide rapid medical attention for people with acute health problems that require urgent care. Ambulance responses are generally categorised as emergency responses, urgent responses, or non-emergency responses.
- The distribution of response locations follows Australia’s population distribution and population density patterns. Australia’s three most populous states – New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland – account for most of ambulance response locations.
- The nature of ambulance services limits competition. Government-owned and funded ambulance services tend to monopolise ambulance services within each state, preventing internal competition.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $6.5bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Favourable underlying variables are supporting revenue growth
- The Ambulance Services industry provides a necessary public service. Demand for ambulance services has risen over the period as population growth has boosted the number of potential users of ambulance services. The ageing population has also driven demand for ambulance services.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Australia's ageing population will contribute to rising demand
- Australia's ageing population will drive demand for ambulance services, as will the rise in the number of Australians suffering from chronic and complex health conditions.
Biggest companies in the Ambulance Services in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Ambulance Victoria | 1,755.0 | |
NSW Health | 1,625.0 | |
Queensland Health | 1,235.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Emergency responses, Urgent responses and Non-emergency responses. Emergency responses is the largest segment of the Ambulance Services in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Emergency responses require more resources
- Emergency responses involve industry vehicles attending potentially life-threatening incidents that require a rapid response.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Other Health Services in Australia
- Health Services in Australia
- Police and Firefighting Services in Australia
- Public General Hospitals in Australia
International industries
- There are no industries to display.
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry primarily provides ambulance services.
What's included in this industry?
Emergency responsesUrgent responsesNon-emergency responsesCompanies
Ambulance VictoriaNSW HealthQueensland HealthPurchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TRIAGEPARAMEDICFIRST AIDIndustry Code
ANZSIC 8591 - Ambulance Services in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The Ambulance Services industry provides essential pre-hospital emergency services, the scope of which is gradually expanding as state governments look to ease the burden on p...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Ambulances transport patients and provide rapid medical attention for people with acute health problems that require urgent care. Ambulance responses are generally categorise...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The distribution of response locations follows Australia’s population distribution and population density patterns. Australia’s three most populous states – New South Wales, ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The nature of ambulance services limits competition. Government-owned and funded ambulance services tend to monopolise ambulance services within each state, preventing intern...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Apart from St John Ambulance Australia, most ambulance services are provided by state-run agencies overseen by the state departments of health. Private ambulance service prov...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Ambulance Victoria's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of NSW Health's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Queensland Health's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Ambulance Victoria, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for NSW Health, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Queensland Health, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Most ambulance services in Australia are publicly funded, although there are some privately funded ambulatory services. Ambulance service organisations are heavily dependent ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The Ambulance Services industry is dominated by public agencies and volunteer organisations which operate on a not-for-profit basis and frequently report losses. Profitabilit...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Ambulance Services industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Ambulance Services industry in Australia is $6.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Ambulance Services in Australia industry in 2024?
There are 37 businesses in the Ambulance Services industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Ambulance Services industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Ambulance Services industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 4.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Ambulance Services industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Ambulance Services industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Ambulance Services market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Ambulance Services market in Australia are Ambulance Victoria, NSW Health and Queensland Health
What does the Ambulance Services in Australia include?
Emergency responses and Urgent responses are part of the Ambulance Services industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Ambulance Services in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Ambulance Victoria.
How competitive is the Ambulance Services industry in Australia?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Ambulance Services industry in Australia.
