Non-emergency patient transport

Non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) is for patients who require specialist clinical care, monitoring or supervision during transport, but do not require a time-critical ambulance response.

Most NEPT transfers occur between hospitals, or between home and hospital. Some aged care patients may also be transported to and from specialist health appointments and rehabilitation. The majority of non-emergency patient transports are provided by road, with a small number undertaken by air services.

These patients will:

• require specialised clinical care or monitoring during their transport, which is delivered by staff with appropriate clinical skills and qualifications; or
• have an illness or a disability that means they need to be transported safely in a stretcher vehicle, for example, severe immobility or disorientation.

Before a NEPT service transports a patient, the patient’s acuity and stability for transport must be assessed by a suitably qualified health practitioner to ensure safe transport.

Booking and Payment

Patients cannot make a booking for NEPT services themselves.

Transport must be booked through a licensed NEPT provider or through Ambulance Victoria, in consultation with the patient’s health practitioner authorised to request NEPT services and/or health facility.

The Ambulance transport payment guidelines for Victoria provide information on who is responsible for the payment of NEPT fees.

Public register of licenced NEPT Providers (VIC)

The Department of Health is responsible for implementing the Non-Emergency Patient Transport and First Aid Services Act 2003 (the Act) and the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Regulations 2026.

The Act provides for the licensing and regulation of NEPT providers.