Hamza was too scared to call an ambulance — now he’s fighting to make it free

 

Benita Paul reports on the Victorian Free Ambulance Services Bill 

 

When Hamza Hassan needed urgent medical care, his first concern was not just his health, but whether he could afford an ambulance.

He said worries about the cost of emergency transport made him hesitate before seeking help, an experience he believes many Victorians face.

"Your first thoughts would be how much the ambulance would cost instead of what your actual injury is," he said.

According to the Victorian Government, Ambulance Victoria membership costs $14.12 per quarter for individuals and $27.49 per quarter for families, with eligible pensioners and Health Care Card holders entitled to free ambulance cover.  

Without membership or other coverage, ambulance transport can cost more than $1,400 in metropolitan areas and more than $2,000 in regional Victoria, while treatment without transport can exceed $600.  Ambulance services are not covered by Medicare.

For Hamza, the experience highlighted what he sees as a dangerous barrier to emergency healthcare. 

 

Hamza Hassan argues in favour of making ambulance services free during the Victorian Youth Parliament debate.

 

"The price is always the first thing that comes to mind," he said. "Knowing that even though I live two minutes away from the hospital, I'd still get charged for calling." Hamza was not alone in his concerns.

His classmate, Imrana Ahmed, said her father lives with diabetes, a condition in which sudden changes in blood sugar levels can quickly become life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

However, she said he had delayed seeking care in the past because of concerns about ambulance costs.

"He hesitated to seek care. He was scared," she said.

"Watching someone you love delay getting help because they have lost confidence in the system is heartbreaking."

"It made me realise that the healthcare crisis isn't just about statistics or headlines — it affects real families every day."

 

Imrana Ahmed shares her family's experience with ambulance costs while speaking in support of the Free Ambulance Services Bill in the Legislative Council Chamber. 

 

Wanting to address the issue, the students saw this year's Victorian Youth Parliament as an opportunity to advocate for change. Representing Charles La Trobe P–12 College, Hamza and Imrana worked alongside teammates

Jack Wright, Ibrahim Sharif, Aleya Ismail and Abubakar Maalim to develop the proposal, which was debated inside Parliament House.

Their proposed Free Ambulance Services Bill seeks to abolish ambulance call-out fees in Victoria, arguing that no one should delay emergency care because of financial concerns.

The students argued that ambulance services are "at the forefront of healthcare in  Australia", but said financial barriers were preventing people from accessing emergency 
care when they needed it most. 

They described the cost as "a great burden". 
 

Jack Wright speaks in support of the proposed Free Ambulance Services Bill, describing ambulance services as "at the forefront of healthcare.” 

 

The bill also includes provisions aimed at improving multicultural accessibility, reducing wait times and increasing support for ambulance staff.

The team said improving multicultural accessibility was particularly important to ensure no one was excluded from emergency care because of language or cultural barriers.

"Multicultural accessibility means everyone should be able to access emergency healthcare, whether they can't afford it, don't speak the language or face other barriers," Imrana said.

"Emergency healthcare is essential, and everyone should be able to access ambulances, emergency departments and the support they need." 

 

 Imrana Ahmed supports teammate Aleya Ismail during the Charles La Trobe P–12 College team's presentation in the Victorian Youth Parliament.

 

In response, then-Health Minister Harriet Shing said the Victorian Government was continuing to invest in Ambulance Victoria, pointing to more than $2 billion invested in ambulance services, a more than 50 per cent increase in the on-road workforce, and the construction or upgrade of more than 51 ambulance branches.  

She said the latest Victorian Budget included $50.7 million to strengthen ambulance services through workforce expansion, improved dispatch systems and upgraded infrastructure.

"Victoria has one of the largest public ambulance services in the world - we're making sure it stays one of the best by continuing to invest in the paramedics, vehicles and infrastructure Victorians rely on."

Victorian Youth Parliament is a YMCA Victoria youth engagement program in which 120 young people aged 16 to 25 debate policy issues and develop legislative proposals for consideration by the Victorian Government.

Imrana said participating in Youth Parliament had been an unforgettable experience.

"I'm incredibly grateful. If you'd told me last year that I'd be standing in Parliament, I wouldn't have believed you," she said.

"This is such an incredible opportunity, and I'm so happy to be part of it."

And for Hamza, advocating for his community was nothing new.  

A recipient of the 7NEWS Young Achiever Award, he serves on the Himilo Youth Advisory Committee and is part of the Think Village Fellowship, where he has worked on projects focused on community safety and youth engagement.

Through these achievements, he has become a familiar face to many of Victoria’s senior politicians. 

 

Hamza Hassan (centre) with teammates Ibrahim Sharif and Abubakar Maalim alongside Nicole Werner, Member for Warrandyte, Shadow Minister for Youth and a former Victorian Youth Parliamentarian, during the Victorian Youth Parliament opening ceremony. 

 

The bill, which was passed unanimously during the program's 40th anniversary year, will now be formally presented to Luba Grigorovitch,Victorian Minister for Youth. 

 

The Charles La Trobe P–12 College [left] team with students from Y Community School Epping following debate on their Free Ambulance Services Bill at the Victorian Youth Parliament. 

 

While Youth Parliament bills are not binding, more than 60 proposals have influenced or informed Victorian policy over the past four decades, with several ultimately becoming law.

Among the program's most notable successes are proposals that helped shape Victoria's mandatory bicycle helmet laws and, more recently, free public transport for children and teenagers.  

Hamza hopes the bill's passage marks an important step towards ensuring future Victorians never have to weigh up their finances during a medical emergency.

"No one should have to think about money in an emergency," he said. "People should be able to call an ambulance without hesitating." 

 

Hamza Hassan after the unanimous passage of the team's Free Ambulance Services Bill at the Victorian Youth Parliament.