Non-emergency patient transport

Non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) is for patients who require basic clinical care and observation during transport, but who:

• are clinically stable and do not have a time-critical condition
• have a medical condition must be unlikely to deteriorate during transport
• typically require a stretcher or wheelchair
• are unsuitable for other methods of transport.

Transport pick-ups and destinations

• Most NEPT transfers occur between hospitals, or between home and hospital.
• If you’re in aged care, patients may be transported to and from specialist health appointments or rehabilitation.

Eligibility requirements for NEPT services

Prior to being transported, a patient must be assessed for eligibility by a:

• registered medical practitioner
• registered nurse
• registered paramedic
• State Communications Centre of Ambulance Tasmania.

If patients are eligible, they will:

• require basic clinical care and observation
• be clinically stable
• have an illness or a disability that makes it impractical to use any other form of transport (for example, severe immobility or disorientation).

How to book NEPT services

NEPT services are booked for patient by their sending facility:

• private hospital
• nursing home
• GP clinic
• other health care services.  

Patients cannot privately book NEPT services. This is because they must be assessed by a health care professional prior to transport.

How to offer a private NEPT service

• To operate an NEPT business in Tasmania, you must seek and gain approval from the Secretary of the Department of Health, under the Ambulance Service Act 1982 (the Act).  
• All licences are issued under s.35F of the Act.
• Licences are subject to the conditions of the NEPT Licence Schedule.
• They are also subject to any additional conditions prescribed in the Ambulance Service (Non-emergency Patient Transport) Regulations 2019 (NEPT Regulations) for the approved period.

NEPT Regulations for private providers

The regulatory system for private NEPT providers aims to ensure a high standard of operational and clinical governance are in place, to ensure safe, high-quality NEPT services and minimise patient risk.

• NEPT Regulations became operational on 1 December 2019.  
• Licences issued prior to 1 December 2019 are subject to variation by the Secretary to align licence conditions with the NEPT Regulations. 
• If there is any inconsistency between conditions in the Licence Schedule and conditions in the NEPT Regulations, the NEPT Regulations will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

Current licensed NEPT providers in Tasmania

There are currently seven licensed providers of NEPT services in Tasmania. These providers are:

• Absolute Medical Response Pty Ltd
• Ambulance Private Pty Ltd
• CareFlight Ltd
• Medical Edge Australia
• Morton Group Medical Services
• Royal Flying Doctors Australia
• St John Ambulance

If you have any concerns about the safety or quality of NEPT services or a breach of licence conditions, please email our Regulation, Licensing and Accreditation Unit by emailing: [email protected]

How to apply, vary or renew an NEPT licence

View all relevant forms for applying, varying or renewing a licence

NEPT regulatory requirements

The Ambulance Service (Non-emergency Patient Transport) Regulations 2019 includes:

• provisions specifying requirements for assessment of patients as suitable for NEPT
• requirements for staff qualifications and experience
• requirements for standards of vehicles and vehicle equipment
• requirements for service providers to have comprehensive clinical governance arrangements
• requirements for professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• requirements for record-keeping
• requirements for incident reporting
• provisions for licence fees
• provisions for on-the-spot fines where regulations are breached.

Assessing and booking a patient

For private NEPT cases, please complete Form 10A and Form 10B, samples linked below. To request a copy of Form 10A or 10B please email [email protected]

• Download the Patient criteria and assessment flow chart
• Download the Non-eligible patient flow chart
• Download the Booking flow chart

Form 10A

Form 10B

Reporting an incident

Please complete the Incident Report Form for all incidents. Incident reporting requirements are outlined in the Incident Reporting Flow Chart.

• Download the NEPT incident report (Form 9)
• Download the NEPT incident reporting flow chart

Where to get more information

• General NEPT requirement advisories are available for NEPT providers, referring/receiving facilities and Ambulance Tasmania. These are suitable for printing and circulation to staff.
• Presentations for in-house training are available for NEPT providers and referring/receiving facilities.
• Referring/receiving facilities include private hospitals, day procedure centres and residential aged care.
• If you have any issues accessing forms and advisories or require a different format, phone the Regulation, Licensing and Accreditation Unit on 03 6166 3856 or email [email protected]
• Download our Frequently asked questions

Resources and advisories

View all current advisories - 01 through to 12