The RFDS in NSW/ACT
So much has changed over the last 97 years as we have adapted to meet the needs of outback Australians. But one thing that will never change is our commitment to always be there when we are needed.
Our South Eastern Section provides lifesaving outback emergency aeromedical retrievals and hospital transfers, as well as on the ground GP and nurse appointments, dental care, mental health care, alcohol and other drug counselling, vaccinations, chronic disease management and telehealth.
From our bases at Broken Hill and Dubbo our highly skilled doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health clinicians and other specialists fly or drive to remote communities to provide them afull suite of care. In many of these communities the RFDS is the only accessible provider of healthcare.
Help families in the bush access mental healthcare
Jane had never felt so alone.
Living near remote Tandou Creek, almost 150 kilometres from Broken Hill and 650 kilometres from their previous home in Adelaide, Jane was far away from close friends and family.
When her youngest son, Josh, left home to attend boarding school, she couldn’t stop crying, she felt like she had lost her purpose.
Jane is not an isolated case. People in the outback face the same mental health challenges as those who live in metro areas, but the roadblocks to accessing support services make it incredibly difficult to get help when it is needed most.
Your gift today can help isolated families access vital support services when life gets tough.
A special invitation to become a Critical Health Response Partner
For families in the bush, the nearest hospital is hundreds of kilometres away. So when accidents happen or when illness takes hold, we are their only hope.
But that hope isnʼt guaranteed. Without long-term investment, families in remote communities face a future where critical care is out of reach.
Without future-focused partners, who understand the importance of ensuring long-term healthcare is available to all Australians, we cannot meet the growing health needs of families in the bush.
You’re invited to be one of the first-ever Critical Health Response Partners and make a promise to families in the bush that they’ll never be left behind.
Thanks to our supporters, outback communities have received life-saving medical care over the last year.
Because of you, we could reach further and touch more lives. Your support has significantly impacted the provision of vital healthcare services where they are most needed.
You helped:
• Respond to 4,056 patient emergencies, bringing critical care when every second mattered.
• Provide 3,705 instances of mental health support, helping families through their toughest moments.
• Deliver 2,494 dental consultations, improving people's health and smiles in rural communities.
• Ensure 31,032 primary healthcare visits, making vital care accessible for families who need it most.
None of our work would be possible without you. With you by our side, more lives are continuing to be saved in rural, regional and remote Australia in 2025. Thank you.
Latest news stories
RFDS supports breast cancer patients in the Outback through partnership with McGrath Foundation
Since 2011, the RFDS has employed a dedicated McGrath Cancer Care Nurse supporting people experiencing breast cancer based in Broken Hill, funded by the McGrath Foundation.
RFDS and Filmmaker Jason King unite to shine a light on mental health in the bush
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) and Broken Hill filmmaker Jason King are proud to announce a powerful new partnership in support of the upcoming impact documentary: The Jordan Liberty Project.
Graphic:
Dubbo RFDS Base
Dubbo Base, established in 1999, offers a range health services as well as being a top tourism attraction in the area.
Dubbo is home to The Outback Oral Health
and Treatment (TOOTH) program, serving the remote communities of Collarenebri,
Bourke, Lightning Ridge and Goodooga.
Dubbo conducts inter-hospital transfers,
the coordination of flights for the Rural Aerial Health Service (RAHS), as well
as emergency retrievals.
Bankstown RFDS Base
The RFDS base at Bankstown began operations in July 1994.
Bankstown Base is the home of the Rural Aerial Health Service (RAHS) which the RFDS operates on behalf of NSW Health. While administration and coordination of RAHS flights takes place at the Dubbo Base, the majority of flights are made from Bankstown.
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
- General Practioner
- Practice Nurse
- Mental Health
- Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling
- Dental
Graphic:
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
General Practioner
Practice Nurse
Mental Health
Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling
Dental
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
- RFDS PHN
- Doctor
- Dental
- MHAOD
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
- PHN
- Doctor
- Dental,
- MHAOD.
- FWLHD site
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
- General Practioner
- Practice Nurse
- Dental Health
- Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling
- Dental
We provide early intervention, prevention, health information and screening, as well as chronic disease management services. We also provide visiting specialist clinics with medical consultants including ear, nose and throat specialists, dermatologists, eye specialists and a specialist breast care nurse (with the McGrath Foundation) who supports patients from diagnosis, and throughout treatment.
The RFDS provide the following services to the community:
- PHN,
- Doctor,
- Dental,
- MHAOD.
- FWLHD site
