Helicopter rescue service

Connecting Queensland to world-class care

LifeFlight started as a humble grassroots helicopter service and has grown into a vital component of Queensland’s Emergency Helicopter Network (EHN).

Our dedicated teams, under the guidance of Retrieval Services Queensland (RSQ), are on standby to respond to emergencies, providing rapid, lifesaving care across the state, at no cost to patients. From busy urban areas to the Queensland’s toughest terrains, we ensure that expert medical help is always within reach.

About our helicopter fleet

Whether it’s emergencies, natural disasters, or urgent medical evacuations, our helicopter rescue service is designed to handle a wide range of critical situations with expertise and efficiency.

Complete with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by a team of people who are experts in their field, our fleet of helicopters are the backbone of our rescue operations.

Two AW139s are specially contracted to support major gas companies, while the rest are on call for LifeFlight’s diverse operational needs.

AW139 helicopters

With advanced avionics, patient care and search and rescue capabilities, the AW139 aircraft are perfect for rescues across Australia.

Bell412 helicopters

Versatile and robust, ideal for a range of rescue scenarios.

BK117 helicopters

Compact yet powerful, perfect for rapid deployment in challenging conditions.

Onboard our helicopters

Every LifeFlight helicopter is crewed by a Pilot, Co-Pilot, Rescue Crew Officer, Critical Care Doctor and a Queensland Ambulance Service Flight Paramedic. Together, with the support and coordination from engineers and logistics specialists, they ensure every mission is carried out with precision, expertise and compassion.

Queensland Government’s commitment to our service

In 2024, the Queensland Government made a 10-year commitment to our rescue helicopter service, ensuring we continue providing world-class health care at no cost to the patient.

This funding enables crucial helicopter upgrades, better facilities and more personnel, giving Queenslanders—especially in regional and remote areas—confidence that we’ll be there when needed.

Strategically positioned

LifeFlight operates from eight Queensland bases and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, directly servicing an area of 1.85 million square kilometres.

We also support search and rescue efforts across 53 million square kilometres of land and sea for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland Police Service.

Aviation industry acknowledgment

LifeFlight holds and maintains a suite of accreditations, approvals and certifications and in 2024 was recognised as the Aviation Australia Awards as the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Business of Year.

Australian Aviation judges assessed LifeFlight’s 2023 record as exceptional based on the scope of services, our milestones and achievements, and our impact on regional communities.

Bespoke rescue helicopter solutions

We also offer bespoke commercial rescue helicopter solutions. To discuss an opportunity with our team, contact us

In case of an emergency, always

Call 000

Helicopter coordination

Our operations are coordinated through Retrieval Services Queensland, who manage the deployment of our helicopters. They decide when and where our LifeFlight helicopters are needed to provide swift and effective care.

For more information on how we coordinate our emergency responses, visit our C3 page.