Non-emergency patient transport licencing

Non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) services must be issued with a licence before they can commence transporting patients.

Prospective non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) providers, seeking to provide NEPT services in Victoria, need to submit an application for a NEPT Licence.

The application form for a licence (Schedule 3) and guidelines to support an application for a NEPT licence are available for download.

Additional information about the different classes (acuity levels) of NEPT services and other regulatory requirements are available for download under ‘NEPT information and guidance’.

Prospective NEPT providers, may consider applying for an approval in principle (AIP) to operate a NEPT service prior to an application for a NEPT licence. An AIP is not compulsory; the AIP process allows you to assess whether you will meet the requirements for licensing and to remedy any issues that might prevent you from obtaining a licence before significant financial outlay.

If you are unsure whether to apply for a NEPT licence or an AIP, contact the NEPT regulation team on neptfirstaidregulation@health.vic.gov.au.

Variation

Licensed NEPT services may apply to have their licence or a condition of their licence varied. An example of an application for a licence variation includes adding an additional licence class (acuity level) e.g. adding high acuity services or including additional vehicles to fleet for the transport of patients.

The application form and guidelines for a licence variation (Schedule 5) are available for download.

Transfer

A licensed NEPT service may apply to have their licence transferred to another person.

The application form for a licence transfer (Schedule 4A) is available for download.

An application for renewal of a NEPT licence should be made three months before the expiry of your current licence. Applications made within the last three months of a licence incur an additional fee.

The application form (Schedule 4) and guidelines for a licence renewal are available for download.

A person or company may apply for an approval in principle (AIP) to operate a non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) service. An AIP is not compulsory; it is possible to apply for a NEPT licence without first obtaining an AIP.

The AIP process allows you to assess whether you will meet the requirements for licensing before you commit to purchasing vehicles or premises. It also allows you to remedy any issues that might prevent you from obtaining a licence.

Once the AIP has been granted you must apply for an NEPT service licence. You cannot begin operation as a NEPT service until a licence has been granted.

Additional information about the different licence classes (acuity levels) of NEPT services and other regulatory requirements are available for download under ‘NEPT information and guidance’.

The application form (Schedule 1) for an application for approval in principle to operate a NEPT service is available for download.

The holder of an approval in principle certificate to operate a NEPT service may apply to have their AIP certificate or a condition of the certificate varied, or the certificate transferred to another person.

The application form for an AIP certificate variation or transfer (Schedule 2) is available for download.

The Non-Emergency Patient Transport and First Aid Services Act 2003 (the Act) requires assessment of fitness and propriety (including financial reputation and stable financial background) to support prospective approval in principle applications, licence applications, as well as licence renewals, transfers, and variations.

Forms are available for download to support evidence of fitness and propriety.

These forms do not limit the assessment of, or requirement for additional evidence to demonstrate fitness and propriety of the individual or body corporate (e.g., company, business or incorporation) to whom the application or part of the application applies.