Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service operates a fleet of five Leonardo AW139 helicopters from three bases at Tamworth, Belmont, and Lismore in Northern New South Wales. The not-for-profit organisation provides 24/7 aeromedical and search-and-rescue response to a catchment of over 1.5 million people, completing more than 1,600 missions annually.
Established in 1975, the service has built five decades of operational experience in the emergency medical services and SAR roles. It functions as a community-owned organisation sustained through public donations, fundraising, and corporate partnerships.
The AW139 fleet supports inter-hospital transfers, primary scene responses, and maritime and wilderness search operations across a region that spans coastal, rural, and remote terrain. Bases are positioned to maintain response capability across the Northern NSW corridor.
Core operating values centre on Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, and Unity, reflecting the service's dual role as both a clinical aeromedical provider and a community institution.
