Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

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 9 results

Flying Doctor dental programs | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides much needed oral health and dental care programs across Australia.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Flying Doctor clinics | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides GP & Nurse clinics across rural and remote Australia to make primary health services available to the Outback

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Telehealth by RFDSWA | Royal Flying Doctor Service

our telehealth services span across the 2.5million kilometres of Western Australia

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Flying Doctor telehealth | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides thousands of people in the bush with telehealth services for primary health service provision.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

RFDS delivers free dental services across Western Australia | Royal Flying Doctor Service

Learn about our dental services and oral health

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Flying Doctor Health Education programs | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides Health and Well-being programs across many states of Australia, to those living in the outback.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Aeromedical Emergency Retrieval | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides emergency aeromedical services across rural and remote Australia, saving lives daily.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Flying Doctor Mental Health programs | Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides Mental Health programs and services to those living in rural and remote Australia.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Outback Survival: Snakes and Snakebites | Royal Flying Doctor Service

Snakebite first aid can be very effective if done quickly.

Read more on Royal Flying Doctor Service website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.