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Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of 7.69 million square kilometres.

The RFDS has established flight paths that reach across the Australian continent, with a fleet of 79 planes and 23 aero-bases.

The challenges of health access outside Australia’s cities make the Flying Doctor’s services vital to those who live, work and travel in rural and remote Australia.

RFDS is delivered by a dedicated team of professionals, using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, and supported by a vast number of volunteers and supporters. The RFDS also has a large road service fleet which provides non-emergency health transport services to those in regional Victoria and New South Wales.

Vision and mission

To provide excellence in aeromedical and primary health care across Australia.

To save lives and resolve health service access inequity to improve health outcomes for those that live in the bush.

How the Royal Flying Doctor Service can help

With a waiting room of 7.69 million square kilometres, the RFDS provides 24-hour aeromedical emergency services that can reach anywhere, no matter how remote, within hours. Combined with telehealth consultations, fly-in fly-out GP and Nurse clinics, mobile dental services, patient transfers, and a myriad of other health services, the RFDS is constantly working to see that those living in rural and remote areas can enjoy the same health outcomes as those living in city areas.

Information / help lines

  • Call 02 6269 5500 for general enquires, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST
  • or email: FederationOfficeEnquiries@rfds.org.au
  • In an emergency call 000

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Last reviewed: February 2022

Information from this partner

Found 21 results

Flying Doctor bases around Australia | Royal Flying Doctor Service

Details on each of the RFDS bases around Australia, with photos, address, contact details and outline of services performed.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Flying Doctor Flight Radar Map | Royal Flying Doctor Service

A flight radar map showing in real-time, Flying Doctor planes in the air, that are providing vital aeromedical services to country Australia.

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RFDS in your state | NSW & ACT | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The South Eastern Section provides vital emergency evacuations and comprehensive primary healthcare services across NSW, VIC, TAS, QLD and SA.

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Aeromedical Retrievals | NSW&ACT | Royal Flying Doctor Service

RFDS aeromedical crews evacuate injured people from emergency situations in the Australian Outback.

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RFDS QLD Home Page | Royal Flying Doctor Service

RFDS QLD Home Page, RFDS Queensland Section, RFDS Queensland, Flying Doctor Queensland, Flying Doctor QLD, Flying Doctor Service QLD

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Outback Survival: Snakes and Snakebites | Royal Flying Doctor Service

Outback Survival: Snakes and Snakebites

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Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT | Royal Flying Doctor Service

At RFDS SA/NT, we airlift 15 South Australians and 8 Territorians every day. Learn more.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

RFDS Tasmania | Royal Flying Doctor Service

Royal Flying Doctor Primary Health Care in Tasmania

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria | Royal Flying Doctor Service

RFDS Victoria provides non-emergency patient transport across the state, as well as primary health care services like dental and eye care.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Australia | Royal Flying Doctor Service

RFDS Western Australia Flying Doctor

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

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Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

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