The RFDS in VIC
Flying Doctor Community Transport
Launched in 2018, Flying Doctor Community Transport provides eligible clients with free transport from home to health appointments and funded Social Support Groups. It is a volunteer-led program, that relies on the generosity of local volunteer drivers.
The service currently operates in Heathcote, Rochester, Warracknabeal and Numurkah. Please scroll down for information on how to register for the service, and how to volunteer with Flying Doctor Community Transport.
Why the Flying Doctor offers this service
Accessing health care and maintaining social connections can be challenging for residents of rural areas who are unable to drive or have limited transport options.
RFDS Victoria is trying to address this issue by working with Primary Health Networks and regional health care services to bring the Flying Doctor Community Transport service to more communities. This free services aims not only to improve the physical and mental health of rural Victorians, but enhance their social connections as well.
Flying Doctor Community Transport is funded in part by Flying Doctor donors, with support from local health care partners. The current service expansion has been funded by Western Victoria PHN, Murray PHN and Gippsland PHN.
Meet our clients
Watch the video below to find out more about the real impact this service has on Victorian communities.
You can also read more Flying Doctor Community Transport client stories here.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to use the service, clients must:
- be aged over 65 years, or have a pension, concession or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card;
- live within the designated pick-up zone; and
- be accessing a health or wellbeing appointment or a formally funded Social Support Group*
* A Social Support Group is defined as a variety of leisure and social connection activities that are funded through Home and Community Care (HACC) and facilitated through registered health services.
How to contact our team
To register to use the service or to make a booking, please call 03 7046 4664 or email communitytransport@rfdsvic.com.au.
Our communities
See below the Victorian communities in which Flying Doctor Community Transport currently operates, and the specific criteria for each site.
Heathcote
To be eligible to use the Heathcote Community Transport service clients must: - Have a pension card, concession card or DVA card - Live within 30km of Heathcote - Be accessing a health appointment or Planned Activity Group within 50km of Heathcote
Rochester
To be eligible to use the Rochester Community Transport service clients must: - Have a pension card, concession card or DVA card - Live within 20km of Rochester - Be accessing a health appointment or Planned Activity Group within the designated service area, which includes Echuca, Shepparton and Bendigo
Volunteer with Flying Doctor Community Transport
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer driver for our Community Transport service? Please fill in the form below, and one of our team members will be in touch shortly to discuss how you can get involved with this critical, local program.
Do note, Flying Doctor Community Transport is based in rural and regional Victorian towns, so all volunteers will need to be located within close proximity of their chosen service base.
* required fields
