The term 'rural and remote' covers all areas outside Australia's major cities. Nearly 1 in every 3 people in Australia live in rural and remote areas.
Living in rural and remote areas can sometimes mean that health services may be harder to access. Knowing which health services are available in your area will help you prepare for when you need them.
You may want to consider private health insurance.
Use the healthdirect Service Finder to find your nearest health services. It includes:
You can often find out about health services at your community centre or by talking to local people.
In some remote regions, fly-in health clinics are available. This includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Opens in new tab), specialists and other health practitioners.
There are often fewer 'in-person' mental health services in rural and remote areas. You can get help through:
Online therapy (eTherapy) offers psychological support and counselling through your computer or phone.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service also offers a range of mental health services (Opens in new tab).
Learn more about rural and remote mental health.
If you live in a rural or remote area, it can be harder to see a dental practitioner.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has set up dental care (Opens in new tab) in some remote and rural areas. These can be:
Learn more about dental health.
In Australia, the air ambulance services are managed by the state and territory ambulance services. They also partner with groups like CareFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. States and territories may also have their own air ambulances.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has 24-hour emergency medical flights (Opens in new tab) in many regions.
CareFlight operates a 24-hour emergency flight service (Opens in new tab).
In some parts of rural and remote Australia, you might be close to a nursing post.
Find other emergency contacts on the need help now (Opens in new tab) page.
You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) to speak with a registered nurse. This is a free 24-hour health advice service for non-urgent help.
Some health services offer virtual health or telehealth. Telehealth lets you talk to your health care practitioners by phone or video call.
Depending on your doctor, telehealth may cost a fee or be bulk-billed via Medicare.
My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health information. You and your healthcare practitioners can add details to your record.
This record improves communication between the people looking after you.
You can do this online learning module (Opens in new tab) to help you understand your My Health Record.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health services (Opens in new tab) are available in all states and territories.
Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (Opens in new tab) (ACCHO) near you.
Read about support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander carers (Opens in new tab).
Learn more about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' health.
Working in rural areas, like on farms, can be risky. The National Centre for Farmer Health website has information on health and wellbeing (Opens in new tab).
You can also read more on children living on rural properties (Opens in new tab).
It's important to take care of both your mental and physical health. Learn more about how to look after your mental health and wellbeing (Opens in new tab).
Making a plan can help if you need to travel to your healthcare appointment. Try reaching out to one or more of these services below.
Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (Opens in new tab) can help with costs of travel and accommodation.
In Australia the air ambulance services are managed by the state and territory ambulance services. They also partner with groups like CareFlight and RFDS. States and territories may also have their own air ambulances.
You might be eligible for help through the Royal Flying Doctor Service's patient transfers (Opens in new tab).
CareFlight also offers a patient transfer service (Opens in new tab).
Angel Flight (Opens in new tab) can help with some non-emergency flights.
When traveling to city hospitals with a child, Ronald McDonald House (Opens in new tab) might help with accommodation.
In some regional and capital cities, the Country Women's Association has affordable accommodation.
To find the best option for you, ask your local health centre or check with the hospital pre-admission staff.
To find out more about rural and remote health services in your state or territory, visit the following pages:
Read about aged care (Opens in new tab) support in rural and remote areas.
Learn about family and child health services (Opens in new tab) for rural families.
The NDIS has information about disability services (Opens in new tab).
Information for carers is available through Carer Gateway (Opens in new tab).
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: June 2025
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