THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS UNION EMERGENCY TRANSPORT SCHEME

THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS UNION EMERGENCY TRANSPORT SCHEME

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.3 2. DEFINITIONS 3 3. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS..4 4. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP 5 5. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS.5 6. CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP 7 7. FINANCIAL STATUS.7 2

1. INTRODUCTION The Ambulance Membership Scheme Rules are applicable to Members throughout Victoria. In applying for AWU Membership, the member agrees with effect from the date of Membership or renewal of Membership and for the duration of the Membership. a. to be bound by the then current Membership Scheme Rules; and b. that AWU may at any time vary or replace the Rules, which will bind the Member with effect from the date on which the Rules are varied or replaced and appear on the AWU website at: www.awu.net.au The latest version is available on our website or may be obtained by contacting the Membership Department on 03 8327 0888. The Australian Workers Union Victoria Branch 685 Spencer Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 2. Definitions Dependents in respect of a Member:. The partner, legal or de-facto, whether of the opposite or same sex, and residing with the Member in the State of Victoria;. Dependant Child (under the age of 17 years) of the Member and/or their adopted, or a foster child, or any child in respect of which the Member and/or their Partner is responsible for the primary care of that child and residing with the member in the State of Victoria;. Dependant students of the Member or their Partner engaged in full time study at a secondary or tertiary education institution, provided that they are single and dependant upon the Member and are under the age of 25. 3

. Exchange students may be covered on their hosts Family Membership. If a child is accepted as a Dependant by AWU, then they will be covered as a Family Member. Family Member refers to the Member and the Member s Dependants. Financial Member is a paid Member for 12 months and continues to be a financial member at all times. Medically Authorised means that a doctor (or doctor s delegate) must determine whether the patient has a both a medical requirement and clinical need for ambulance transport. This decision must consider whether the patient is able to travel by other means (i.e. taxi, public transport, commercial airline etc). Member is any person who subscribes to the AWU Membership Scheme and shall include Single members and Family members. Membership is defined as the state of being a Financial Member, and can be in the form of a Single Membership or Family Membership. Membership Period the Member has to be a Financial Member for 12 months and remains a financial member there after. Non-financial is a Member who has not renewed their Membership by the close of business on the due date. Renew means the payment in full of the Membership renewal fee as noted on the Membership renewal form, in cleared funds (has a minimum of 12 months). 3. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 3.1 AUSTRALIAN RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Members must be Australian citizens, or have been granted permanent or temporary resident status. 4

3.2 VICTORIAN RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT Members must be Victorian residents and have their normal place of residence located within the areas serviced by either MAS or RAV. Residents in other States are not permitted to subscribe to the AWU Victoria Branch Membership Scheme, except in certain border areas approved by the AWU. 4. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP 4.1 SINGLE MEMBERSHIP A single membership covers the individual Member only. A single Membership is not transferable to another party. 4.2 FAMILY MEMBERSHIP A Family Membership covers the Member, and the member s Dependants. 5. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS 5.1 AMBULANCE TRANSPORT Ambulance Members and their Dependants (if applicable) receive ambulance treatment or transport provided by Ambulance Services Victoria resources or those resources contracted to provide services for and on behalf of Ambulance Services Victoria for medical or surgical cases. Except for emergency cases, transport by ambulance must be Medically Authorised. 5.2 QUALIFYING PERIOD NEW/REINSTATED MEMBERS As a 12 month Financial Member of the AWU Victoria Branch or as determined from time to time by the Victorian BCOM (Branch Committee Of Management). 5

5.3 EXCLUSIONS Membership does not cover transport from one private home to another, relocation from one accommodation facility to another, or from hospital to home and return to hospital for weekend or holiday relief. 5.4 THIRD PARTY LIABILITY The Membership does not cover ambulance transport fees where responsibility for payment is ultimately the responsibility of any third party as per Department of Human Services Guidelines, and including WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission, other Statutory Authorities, or where a Member is also a Member of any other Association which as a separate Insurance Policy, insuring the subscriber against the cost of ambulance transport. 5.5 COVER WHILE INTERSTATE Members are covered for the same benefits interstate that they would have received, had they been in Victoria. All the conditions relating to ambulance transport in Victoria will apply to any transport received interstate. When Medically Authorised, transport back to Victoria may be arranged. Prior approval from the appropriate Officer or the AWU is required to arrange return transportation to Victoria. A Victorian Member may be presented with an account for transport by an interstate service. If this occurs, the account should be directed to the AWU Accounts Department for settlement. 5.6 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE (RFDS) AWU Membership does not have reciprocal arrangements with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. 5.7 TRANSFER Membership is not transferable to any other State within Australia. 6

6. CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP 6.1 MOVING INTERSTATE Membership benefits cease when a Member moves interstate. For the purposes of this section 6.1, moves interstate means a situation where a Member ceases to be a permanent resident of the State of Victoria, or is no longer a financial member of the Victorian Branch of the AWU. 6.2 LOSS OF DEPENDANT STATUS When Dependants status is lost, providing the Dependant takes out a Membership (with the AWU) within thirty (30) days of termination, they will be entitled to full benefits immediately and the 12 months qualifying period will be waived. Notes: 1. Those Dependants awaiting placement at tertiary institutions will be covered by their parent/guardian s Membership up to the 31 st of March of the year for which they have applied for entry. 2. Where a Dependant student requires transport by ambulance, proof of full time student status will be required. 7. FINANCIAL STATUS 7.1 FINANCIAL STATUS FOR BENEFITS Benefits are only available to Financial Members. A Member is no longer a Financial Member if the Members s Membership remains unpaid the day after it falls due. 7.2 PAYMENT EXTENSION PERIOD Members who Renew their Membership within 30 days after the due date will maintain continuity of benefits. Members who do not Renew within 30 days of the due date will lose continuity of benefits, and will be required to serve the qualifying period as per section 5.2. 7