News

RFDS Tas Youth Mental Health worker with child

Helping kids thrive offline this December

02 Dec 2025

The December 10 social media ban marks a turning point for Australian families. While the adjustment may feel difficult at first, experts say it’s an opportunity to strengthen real-world connections and improve mental health outcomes.

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25 Mar 2022

Australian Government announces Flying Doctor 10-year strategic partnership

The Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, and Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Chair, Dr John O’Donnell, today announced a ten-year $1 billion partnership between the Australian Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

Australian Government partnership announcement
21 Mar 2022

Newest recruits complete induction training

Our newest doctors spent a day treating simulated patients in scenario-based exercises.

training, aimed to swiftly educate them on clinical information, terrains, conditions and patients they may be working with.
18 Mar 2022

QCoal Foundation invests in innovative RFDS pilot training

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) today welcomed a new $3 million commitment from QCoal Foundation for a new world-class aviation training facility in Bundaberg.

QCoal invess in innovative RFDS pilot training
17 Mar 2022

Close The Gap Day

17th of March is National Close the Gap Day, a day of action for Indigenous health equality, that aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.

Close the Gap image
17 Mar 2022

WA Flying Doctor marks Close the Gap Day

Every day, WA Flying Doctor crews travel hundreds of kilometres to Close the Gap, delivering essential healthcare to many remote Aboriginal communities. Here are some of their stories.

Close the Gap Day
14 Mar 2022

WA Flying Doctor's fleet boosted by arrival of new Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet

Thanks to an investment from our Principal Partner Rio Tinto, today the WA Flying Doctor was thrilled to welcome a third Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet to boost our aeromedical fleet.

Rfds wa
14 Mar 2022

Flying Doctor continues its integral role in the national COVID vaccination rollout

The Flying Doctor has been helping safeguard families against COVID by providing adults and children with their vaccinations.

Locations for these vaccination clinics have been widespread.
11 Mar 2022

A close call for Busselton man with cardiac condition

Busselton local Annie Evans-Pascoe has thanked the Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA) for coming to the aid of her husband after his heart stopped multiple times, causing him to experience sudden blackouts.

Rodney Pascoe Evans
11 Mar 2022

WA Flying Doctor team delivers baby girl at Merredin Hospital

Pregnant mum June Woods was returning home to Perth on the Prospector Train when she began experiencing contractions earlier than expected.

RFDS and babies
11 Mar 2022

A new chapter in RFDS history

The RFDS in Western Australia is excited to be the first Australian State to integrate helicopters into our service to meet the evolving health needs of regional Western Australians.

helicopters
11 Mar 2022

A Message from WA Flying Doctor CEO Rebecca Tomkinson

This is the experience of the Flying Doctor in a pandemic. Our entire team has been busy preparing for this response, and I am incredibly proud of their dedication, hard work and innovation," - RFDS WA CEO Rebecca Tomkinson

Rebecca Tomkinson
11 Mar 2022

WA RFDS celebrates 94 years of service on Flying Doctor Day May 17

This Flying Doctor Day, we will call on the Western Australian community to help us through the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and continue to invest in technology and training that make us the world-leading aeromedical service that Western Australians deserve.

WA RFDS celebrates 94 years of service on Flying Doctor Day May 17
11 Mar 2022

The story of Jimmy Darcy and his horse

As we celebrate the moment the RFDS took flight on its first mission on Flying Doctor Day May 17, we want to share a story that captured the attention of the country, including Flying Doctor founder Reverend John Flynn. 

The story of Jimmy Darcy and his horse
11 Mar 2022

Kalgoorlie boy Hamish Levy celebrates 5th birthday by supporting his Flying Doctor in WA

Five-year-old Kalgoorlie boy Hamish Levy may just be our biggest fan! To celebrate his fifth birthday, instead of asking for presents, Hamish asked his guests to donate to the WA Flying Doctor instead. What a champ!

Kalgoorlie boy fundraises for the WA Flying Doctor on his fifth birthday
10 Mar 2022

2021 RFDS Queensland Hero announced

Kate and Justin Boshammer have been crowned the 2021 RFDS Queensland Hero after turning their unimaginable grief into life-changing fundraising efforts to help others.

RFDS Queensland Hero announced