RFDS Flying Doctor Homepage
RFDS Flying Doctor Care Homepage

Delivering care wherever and whenever

Our century of experience has created a unique offering of health services that Australian people rely upon, from dental check-ups to mental health services. The RFDS connects over a third of Australians living in rural and remote areas, to primary health care, and life-saving medical and retrieval services.

About

Keep the Flying Doctor flying

Every two minutes, someone needs the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Whether it’s a life-threatening injury, an inter-hospital transfer, or to see a GP, dentist or mental health clinician, the RFDS is there for Australians in need. The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation, while we receive government support, we rely on donations to bridge the gap in funding. No one should suffer because they cannot access the healthcare they need.

RFDS Flying Doctor health Homepage

More than just aeromedical health services

The RFDS is committed to improving healthcare for Australians in rural, regional, and remote areas. By collecting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians, alongside RFDS aeromedical retrieval data, we identify critical gaps in services that urgently need attention from healthcare providers, policymakers, and funders. The RFDS is proactively working towards addressing these pressing challenges and improving access to vital health services.

Research

The Flying Doctor Podcast

The Flying Doctor Podcast is a testament to the spirit of mateship and resilience, from the most gripping medical rescues to heartwarming tales of survival and community spirit. The weekly episodes bring to life the voices of real patients, their families, and the incredible RFDS teams who work tirelessly to provide care where it’s needed most.

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people have downloaded The Flying Doctor Podcast. Find out what the buzz is about!

Visit the podcast

Latest news stories

Zoe with the other new nurses.

ED Nurse's flight path to the RFDS

18 Feb 2025

Zoe had nursing and critical care qualifications and several years of emergency experience to put her in good stead to work at the RFDS. The final thing she needed to be an eligible candidate was her midwifery qualifications.

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Simon Wood MP and RFDS Tasmania's Andrew Adam

Simon Wood MP Visits RFDS Tasmania to Discuss Health Initiatives

18 Feb 2025

Simon Wood MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Tasmania at the hangar at Launceston Airport last week to discuss the RFDS’s physical and mental health programs delivered across the state.

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RFDS Flying Doctor Reconciliation

Our vision for reconciliation is for unity, equity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other Australians

The RFDS’ diverse service area covers 7.69 million square km. We work across hundreds of different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clan groups and nations, with distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages. Engaging and upholding such diverse and rich cultures is a cornerstone of the RFDS mission. We are continuously working on our reconciliation journey, follow along below.

Our Reconciliation Journey

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and to Elders past and present.

aknoledgment to country
See where our planes are flying throughout Australia
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