Construction of Brisbane Airport’s Aeromedical Precinct has reached the halfway mark, bringing regional, remote and rural Queensland communities closer to critical medical and emergency services.

Brisbane Airport is delivering the $217 million construction project, with the Queensland Government investing $430 million into the precinct in operational costs over the next two decades as part of an ongoing partnership.

The mammoth precinct spans 700 metres, equivalent to the length of the Domestic Terminal, and will be Australia’s largest dedicated aeromedical facility.

More than 700 tonnes of steel, 2,500 piles and 300 tilt panels have been used across an 18,700m² footprint since construction began in 2025.

Located between Brisbane Airport’s parallel runways for quick access, the Aeromedical Precinct will be home to aircraft and resources for critical services by Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), LifeFlight, Retrieval Services Queensland (RSQ) and Queensland Police Service Aviation Capability Group.

Brisbane Airport’s 24/7 operations are vital to Queensland’s aeromedical network, providing unrestricted access for emergency medical flights day and night.

In the past year to June, a total of 7,207 patients from 60 regional, rural and remote Queensland communities were flown in and out of Brisbane Airport for care by the Royal Flying Doctor.

The Brisbane-based LifeFlight helicopter crew helped 603 people while the jets aided 405 people.

This once-in-a-generation aeromedical development will serve as a vital hub to connect the community with enhanced door-to-door medical evacuation services.

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the Aeromedical Precinct reinforced Brisbane Airport’s role as a critical gateway for emergency medical services.

“In a state as vast as Queensland, aeromedical services play a vital role in keeping communities connected to healthcare, regardless of where they live,” he said.

“Behind every aeromedical flight is a patient, a family and a highly skilled team working against the clock. We’re proud to support these vital operations that save lives every day.

“This precinct located strategically between our runways is all about the people of Queensland and ensuring they have the connectivity to access vital healthcare and emergency services.”

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the hub would serve the people of Queensland, in every corner of the state.

"The Crisafulli Government is committed to providing easier access to health care for all Queenslanders no matter where they live, and the new Aeromedical Precinct is a vital part of delivering that,” Minister Nicholls said.

The Aeromedical Precinct is due to be completed and operational next year.

Aeromedical Precinct features:

· Capacity for 26 aircraft and 17,800m² of tarmac parking.

· Patient transfer facilities to move patients between aircraft and ambulances.

· 18,700m² of hangar and administration space, equivalent to the size of King George Square.

· Medical base for regional patient and donor transfers.

· Parking for 450 staff and an onsite cafe.

· Targeting 5 Star Green Star accreditation and includes a 400kW solar system.

· Access to 24/7 operations at Brisbane Airport

The Aeromedical Precinct forms part of Future BNE, Brisbane Airport's $5 billion investment program over five years, building the capacity and capability needed to support Queensland's growth for decades to come.

Brisbane Airport is commencing construction of an Aeromedical Precinct to serve Queenslanders in regional, rural and remote communities. The state-of-the-art project delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government will enhance emergency response capabilities across the State. 

Located between Brisbane Airport’s parallel runways for quick access, it will be home to aircraft and resources for Royal Flying Doctor Service, LifeFlight, Retrieval Services Queensland and Queensland Police Service Aviation Capability Group.

The $217 million Aeromedical Precinct will have capacity for 26 aircraft and include 18,700 square meters of hangar and headquarters space, along with 17,800 square meters of tarmac parking. The precinct will provide parking for 450 staff. 

“There’s nothing like the scale of Brisbane Airport’s Aeromedical Precinct anywhere in the world. This groundbreaking project will significantly enhance the level of care for Queenslanders needing urgent treatment in Brisbane,” according to Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff.   

In FY24, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flew 4,611 patients to Brisbane Airport. LifeFlight’s Air Ambulance jets airlifted 528 people, and its helicopters helped 552 people.

A new patient transfer facility will care for people transitioning between aircraft and road ambulances. 

“Around 18 patients every day are flown in and out of Brisbane Airport. Those transfers between aircraft and ambulance will now take place inside a patient transfer hub at the core of the Aeromedical Precinct.” 

“Currently RFDS, LifeFlight and other emergency agencies are spread across Brisbane Airport, kilometers apart. The Aeromedical Precinct will bring them together in one location, centrally located between our two runways so they can quickly get into the air. Not only will these lifesavers work together, they’ll learn from each other."

The facility will integrate and collate patient aeromedical retrieval and transport, clinical and logistic coordination, including statewide telehealth clinical and education support to rural and remote hospitals.  

The precinct will also feature hangars for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, administration areas, and a medical base for regional patient and donor transfers. 

“This is the largest multi-tenanted property built by Brisbane Airport, and we’re delighted its sole purpose is to serve the people of Queensland, in every corner of the state. 

“Brisbane Airport provides a vital 24/7 connection for Queenslanders in regional, country and remote communities who need critical care. 

“We want to commend the Queensland Government for its very strong support of the Aeromedical Precinct.” 

The development will be targeting 5 Star Green Star accreditation and includes a 400kW solar system. A café will provide staff in this growing precinct of the airport with a convenient place to recharge. ADCO Constructions is aiming for the completion of Aeromedical Precinct in December 2026 with 150 people employed on-site during the construction phase of the project, and more than 400 people working here once it is open. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“We rely on aeromedical services to move patients needing care across our vast state, and the Queensland Government is committed to supporting world-class care for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live.  

“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. 

Quotes attributable to Retrieval Services Queensland A/Executive Director Michael Cussen: 

“We know demand for aeromedical services is growing.  

“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.  

“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.” 

Quotes attributable to Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer, Meredith Staib:

“The RFDS (Queensland Section) team is excited to see construction begin on the new state-of-the-art Queensland Regional Aeromedical Base.” 

“We thank the State Government and our generous supporters for helping bring to life the vision of what will become a crucial patient care facility for many years to come.” 

“The RFDS (Queensland Section) transfers around thirteen thousand patients via aeromedical services every year, many of those via our Brisbane Base.” 

“We look forward to the opening of the brand-new patient facility in the future which will enable further important collaboration with our partners in care including LifeFlight and Queensland Health.” 

Quotes attributable to LifeFlight Chief Operating Officer Lee Schofield:

“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. 

“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.” 

Renders and images available here.

Animation available here.

For interviews, contact Brisbane Airport’s 24/7 media hotline: 0466 322 485

• Federal Government grants approval
• New BNE home for Royal Flying Doctor Service, LifeFlight, Queensland Health, QGAir
• Tenders about to be called so construction can begin soon
• New medical gateway to assist more than 5,000 Queensland patients each year

In great news for Queenslanders, Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King has granted approval for the construction of the Queensland Regional Aeromedical Base at Brisbane Airport. 

The hub will connect Queenslanders to major hospitals and life-saving medical treatment, with new patient transfer facilities to care for people as they transition between aircraft and ambulance transfers. It will also feature state-of-the-art hangers for aeroplanes, helicopters, administration and a medical base for regional patients and donor transfers. 

“Brisbane Airport plays an essential role in the 24/7 connection of Queensland to urgent medical care. The Aeromedical Base will bring all providers together into one innovative world-class hub, with a transfer facility providing patients on the move with the very best clinical care possible, "according to Martin Ryan, Executive General Manager of Commercial at Brisbane Airport Corporation. 

The 14,470m² multi-tenanted facility will be located between Brisbane Airport’s two runways to accommodate speedy access for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), LifeFlight and Queensland Health.  

The Queensland Government continues to provide major support for the RFDS and LifeFlight to assist with their contributions to the new Aeromedical Base, as well as a $334 million 10-year commitment to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to enable it to care for the people of regional and remote Queensland.

Construction of the new Queensland Regional Aeromedical Base will support an estimated 200 jobs. Tenders for the project will be called by Brisbane Airport Corporation in the coming fortnight. 

The Royal Flying Doctor Service employs more than 400 people in Queensland and operates 20 aircraft, with its Brisbane base a pivotal link to eight operational bases across the state. 

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer, Meredith Staib said the new aeromedical facility will be unlike anything seen in the state before.  

“The new Base will include a state-of-the-art short stay bay including 12 patient beds allowing for overnight stays prior to transfer, if necessary, as well as a dedicated patient transfer facility where patients can be moved onto, or off aeromedical aircraft out of the elements, in comfort and in a world-class clinical environment.”   

“This new base will act as a gateway for more than 5,000 Queenslanders who are aeromedically transferred to Brisbane’s tertiary hospitals from right across the state each year,” Ms Staib said. 

“For 95 years, the Flying Doctor has been looking at innovative ways to deliver even greater levels of patient care and increase efficiency of healthcare delivery, and with this new, state-of-the-art patient transfer facility and short stay bay, will be able to do just that.” 

The LifeFlight facility will accommodate the unique combination of two medically configured Challenger 604 fixed wing aircraft and two highly advanced AW139 helicopters in a purpose-built hangar.

"This joint hub will be transformational for the aeromedical network in Queensland, housing our world-class service alongside our colleagues at RFDS and QGAir. To also have the strong and effective co-ordination of Retrieval Services Queensland based at the same facility, will be integral to continuing smooth operation, as the demand for aeromedical services grows," said LifeFlight Australia Deputy Chair Hon. Jim Elder. 

"This is a fantastic outcome for the future and those who will benefit most, are the people of Queensland; especially those in remote and regional areas who rely on services such as ours to ensure they have access to the same levels of medical care, as those who live in our urban centres." 

Broadcast animation, still renders plus interview grabs can be downloaded here.