The Central Australian Retrieval Service performs 800 fixed wing and road retrievals per year (28% critical care), ranging from pre-hospital primary missions to long distance critical care inter-hospital transfers. It covers a uniquely large area of around 1.6 million square kilometres – that is larger than Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany combined! – in a hub and spoke design. The combination of pathology and geography presents a unique challenge.
2026 Recruitment is now underway, with February and August intakes for appropriately skilled doctors.
For further information follow our Twitter account (@RedOzRetrieval). To apply for a position, please contact Dr Mark O'Reilly (CARS.Recruitment@nt.gov.au) with your CV and cover letter.
- Hospital based retrieval service based out of Alice Springs
- Close working relationships with RFDS and St John Ambulance
- Diverse department with consultants and trainees from ACEM, ACRRM, RACGP, CICM, ANZCA
- Medical retrieval, case co-ordination and logistics over 1.6million square kilometers
- Fixed wing aeromedical (turboprop and jet) and road platform jobs
- Primary retrievals from cattle stations, roadhouses, mine sites, remote indigenous communities as well as a remote referral hospital.
- Onward interhospital transfers to major quaternary centres as needed
- Opportunity to complete the ACEM Associateship in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine (previously known as DipPHRM). Fully accredited to complete with 6months FTE
- Retrieval Registrar and Retrieval Fellow positions
- Weekly paid multidisciplinary teaching program
- Well supported opportunities to work in the medical retrieval and co-ordination centre (MRaCC)
- Exposure to retrieval medicine across age groups and disciplines
- Limited neonatal, paediatric, obstetric, psychiatric, trauma, severe medical illness
- Competitive remuneration, including generous recreation and study leave.
- Advanced trainee, preferably in the last two years of a critical care training programme (ACEM, CICM, ANZCA, ACRRM, RACGP – or an equivalent international training program).
- Minimum experience of 6 months in Emergency Medicine, 6 months in Intensive Care, and 3 months in Anaesthetics at a registrar level.
- Holds a valid driving licence and medically fit to drive.
- Excellent communication and team working skills.
- Ability to work in complex cross cultural environments.
- Physical and psychological capacity to operate independently in the remote Australian outback
You will see some of the most interesting and challenging medicine in Australia, including:
- Severe sepsis in both adults and children requiring commencement of critical care treatment in remote nurse only clinics before transport.
- Major trauma, including multi-casualty motor vehicle accidents on remote highways.
- Complex medical patients with rheumatic heart disease, bronchiectasis and renal disease.
- Up to 20% paediatric patients, predominantly with respiratory, GI tract and soft tissue infections.
- Obstetric emergencies such premature labour, pre-eclampsia and PPH.
- Psychiatric and behavioural emergencies requiring sedation for safe transport.
The opportunity to put your clinical skills to the test in remote, resource-limited settings exists right here in the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia!
The Retrieval Service is based at Alice Springs Hospital, providing us with the opportunity to follow the entire patient journey from the first point of contact by phone, through retrieval to hospital admission and discharge.
- Our Registrars have the unique opportunity to work in the Medical Retrieval and Consultation Centre (MRaCC), taking calls from remote clinics as well as cattle stations, mines and roadhouses with supervision and support from Medical Retrieval Consultants, and gaining experience in the clinical co-ordination aspects of PHRM.
- We offer weekly paid teaching and the opportunity to contribute towards research, audit and service improvement projects.
- We are fully accredited for 6months FTE for the ACEM Associateship in Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine.
- Remuneration will be in accordance with the Northern Territory Public Sector Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement.
Requirements to work with us:
- Advanced trainee, preferably in the last two years of a critical care training programme (ACEM, CICM, ANZCA, ACRRM, RACGP – or an equivalent international training program).
- Minimum experience of 6 months in Emergency Medicine, 6 months in Intensive Care, and 3 months in Anaesthetics at a registrar level.
- Holds a valid driving licence and medically fit to drive.
- Excellent communication and team working skills.
- Ability to work in complex cross cultural environments.
- Physical and psychological capacity to operate independently in the remote Australian outback
Ready to make the move?
Learn more about the region and what to bring with you when you travel by exploring the links below!
Alice Springs & Surrounds
Alice Springs (or Mparntwe in Arrernte language) is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, with a population of approximately 33,000 people.
Moving to the NT checklist
Congratulations, you’ve decided to make the move to the Northern Territory. It's time to get your affairs in order and set yourself up for success.
Moving to the NT from interstate
Explore our resources for assistance in moving to the Territory, including information on movers, flying, driving and intrastate travel.