The Queensland Government says a new Aeromedical Hub at Brisbane Airport will bring together the state’s aeromedical healthcare providers under one roof and connect more regional, rural, and remote Queenslanders to major hospitals and life-saving medical care.
The $426 million Government initiative will deliver a super base, which will be home to aircraft and resources for Retrieval Services Queensland, as well as Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), LifeFlight, and Queensland Police Service Aviation Capability Group.
The investment includes $217 million to build an 18,700m² multi-tenanted facility, with the remainder of funding for operational costs through to 2047.
“Queensland is the most decentralised state in Australia, which means we rely on our aeromedical capabilities so much more,” said Premier, Steven Miles.
“Every person knows how important the Royal Flying Doctors Service and LifeFlight are, especially in regional Queensland, so I’m proud my government can deliver this new hub.
“This is for all the patients these critical care services support, and all the hardworking staff who take flight to save lives every single day.
“I will always back the frontline, and this investment is another demonstration of that commitment in action.”
The new precinct will oversee patient aeromedical retrieval and transport, clinical and logistic coordination, including statewide telehealth clinical and education support to rural and remote hospitals.
New patient transfer facilities will be on site to safely care for people transitioning between aircraft and road ambulances.
The joint purpose-built hub will also feature state-of-the-art hangars for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, administration areas, and a medical base for regional patient and donor transfers.
“We rely on aeromedical services to move patients needing care across our vast state, and the Miles Labor Government is committed to supporting world-class care for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live,” said Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman.
“The new Aeromedical Hub at Brisbane Airport will transform the aeromedical network, supporting the continued safe, reliable, and efficient systems to deliver timely access to healthcare, especially in rural, remote, and regional areas.
“This investment follows our 10-year, fully costed commercial agreements with Royal Flying Doctor Service and LifeFlight, securing the sustainable delivery of aeromedical services into the future.
“This is a game-changing investment and I’m so proud to be part of a government that continues to deliver for Queenslanders.”
The new precinct will be located between Brisbane Airport’s two runways at the Airport North Precinct, to accommodate quick aerial access.
“LifeFlight is delighted to join our Queensland aeromedical colleagues at what will become a premier super base to ensure we can collectively help more Queenslanders,” said LifeFlight Chief Operating Officer, Lee Schofield.
“LifeFlight proudly calls Brisbane Airport home and from this base we’ve had another bumper 12 months across a range of rescue helicopter missions and international repatriations with our 604 Challenger jet.
“Thank you to the Queensland Government, Brisbane Airport and our colleagues at Queensland Health – for their continued support.”
Retrieval Services Queensland A/Executive Director, Michael Cussen said that in the last financial year, on average 60 patients were aeromedically transported every day throughout the state, with around 18 of those patients transferred to and from Brisbane hospitals via Brisbane Airport each day.
“The Aeromedical Hub will co-locate Queensland Health’s statewide aeromedical services, ensuring a co-ordinated approach to delivering life-saving care,” he said.
“The facility will have a purpose-built patient transfer facility to provide continued care for patients and optimise the efficient use of aeromedical assets by reducing the need to wait for ground transport during patient transfers in Brisbane.”
Building contractor Adco was awarded the construction tender in May 2024.
