Aeromedical Retrievals

The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia (RFDS WA) operates a diverse fleet of aircraft that provides a vital 'mantle of safety' across more than 2.5 million square kilometres of our vast state.

RFDS WA provides critical, life-saving care through primary evacuations and inter-hospital transfers across Western Australia, as well as Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. These missions are often undertaken when patients experiencing serious illness or injury require urgent transport to a regional or tertiary hospital for specialist treatment and definitive care.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our aeromedical retrieval service ensures help is available whenever and wherever it is needed. All missions are coordinated through our state-wide Coordination Centre at Jandakot.

Our fleet includes 17 Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft, three Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets, and two Fortescue Heli-Med Service EC145 helicopters. In 2026, we welcomed three new Pilatus PC-12 PRO aircraft, with a further five aircraft expected to join the fleet over the next two years.

Read about our capability in responding to COVID-19

Sean's Story: A life-saving retrieval from Esperance