Supporting Victorian communities with lifesaving aviation operations

We deliver and maintain the vital crews and equipment to maintain Ambulance Victoria’s reputation for world-class emergency aeromedical response, patient care and recovery from remote and difficult environments.

Ambulance Victoria (AV) aims to improve the health of the community by providing high quality pre-hospital care and medical transport. They provide emergency medical response to more than 6.5 million people in the Australian state of Victoria, which has a physical area of more than 227,000 square kilometres.

The organisation has a dedicated Air Ambulance division, which has a fleet of five rotary and four fixed wing aircraft supporting the community. Air Ambulance Victoria (AAV) is part of the Specialist Services Division within AV and provides a state-wide aero-medical response and flight coordination service.

Our long-term partnership with Ambulance Victoria, since 2016, reflects Babcock’s commitment to excellence in emergency medical aviation. Through expertise, dedication, and a focus on safety, we continue to deliver life-saving services to the Victorian community.

Operating from four bases, Essendon, Latrobe Valley, Bendigo and Warrnambool, Babcock ensures rapid access to advanced medical care for rural and remote communities. Services include inter-hospital transfers, pre-hospital time critical emergencies which are often trauma and paediatric cases, as well as search and rescue operations and transporting remote patients.

A one-team approach

Each aircraft is crewed by a Babcock pilot, a Babcock Air Crew Officer (ACO), and an Ambulance Victoria MICA Flight Paramedic. This integrated team operates with a shared commitment to safety, precision, and patient outcomes.

Our crews adopt a “one-team” approach, built on trust and exceptional crew resource management. Babcock personnel undergo rigorous training aligned with paramedic standards, ensuring they can effectively support the paramedic during the most critical moments.

Supplying state-of-the-art helicopters

We supply six state-of-the-art Leonardo AW139 twin engine helicopters, including a dedicated back-up aircraft to support operations. Each aircraft is equipped with a rescue winch operated by the ACO, enabling paramedics to reach patients in inaccessible locations such as bushland, vessels, and open water. Specialised helmets also enable crews to maintain a continuous communications link with the aircraft during winch rescues.

The fleet features a customised fit-out and equipment, replicated across all aircraft, streamlining training and operations for both paramedics and crew. Maintenance is carried out by Babcock engineers at each regional base, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

Babcock, in partnership with Air Ambulance Victoria, has hosted members of the Australian Defence Force at Essendon Air Base for hands-on Aero Medical Evacuation training focused on patient care and preparation for winching. This interagency initiative reflects the ongoing dedication of Babcock and Air Ambulance Victoria to advancing clinical and operational knowledge and ensuring readiness for complex rescue scenarios, whether in civilian or military settings.

Our long-standing partnership with Ambulance Victoria reflects Babcock’s commitment to excellence in HEMS. Through our expertise, dedication, and focus on safety, we’ve helped save thousands of lives and continue to deliver vital emergency services to the Victorian community.