ACT Budget: Investing in ACT Ambulance Service

The ACT Government increasing investment in our ACT Ambulance Service to ensure that Canberrans continue to get world-class access to emergency health support when they need it.

Additional funding of $15.2 million over the next four years through the ACT Budget will continue the transformation of the ACT Ambulance Service, helping modernise and sustain the service with additional behind-the-scenes capability to support growing frontline demand.

This includes new Paramedic Duty Officers, Triple Zero Communications Centre staff members, Infection Control Officer, Research and Data Management Officer, ICT Connectivity Support Officer and a Transformation and Capability Development Team.

The ACT Government is working with the Emergency Services Agency and ACTAS staff to transform the Ambulance Service to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our growing city.

The 2021-22 budget investments begin implementation of a new service model that will be rolled out over the coming years. The aim is to improve the Emergency Triple Zero triage process and procedures and add specialised response capabilities such as infections control.

Five new low-emissions vehicles will also be introduced into the ACT Ambulance Service fleet to help achieve the ACT Government’s emissions reduction targets.

We’ve seen a growth in demand for emergency services, particularly in mental health and primary healthcare. Increasing our ambulance service capability will ensure the community continues to receive efficient and safe triage, dispatch and referrals.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:

Our emergency services are an essential part of keeping our community safe and well.

This service plan will see improvements to our ACT Ambulance Service and Emergency Triple Zero Communications Centre.

The five new low-emissions ACT Ambulance Service vehicles in the fleet will contribute to our target for a net zero emissions ACT by 2045.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman:

Over the last term we made substantial investments and improvements in ACTAS. Today’s funding builds on the ongoing work with ACTAS staff, the TWU and ESA to improve and modernise the ambulance service. This work is ongoing and will be delivered over the coming years, ensuring we continue to have one of the best ambulance services in the country.

Bolstering behind-the-scenes capabilities helps paramedics on the road and ensures Canberrans continue to receive high quality service in some of their most difficult times.

I want to thank all our emergency services staff who do a wonderful job looking after Canberrans, often in challenging circumstances.

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