Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Reconciliation Journey

CareFlight has taken an important step forward in its reconciliation journey with the launch of its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and second Innovate RAP, reinforcing its dedication to culturally safe aeromedical care across Australia.

Since formalising its commitment in 2016, CareFlight has worked to embed cultural safety, inclusion, and respect across the organisation and within the communities it serves. Over the years, it has built and strengthened long-standing relationships with First Nations communities, particularly in regional and remote areas where aeromedical services are often a vital lifeline.

The new RAP builds on this progress, focusing on deepening meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples. It reflects CareFlight’s ongoing responsibility to provide services that are culturally safe, respectful, and inclusive, ensuring every patient receives care with understanding and dignity.

Pathway approach

CareFlight has developed a coherent approach to employ more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our approach seeks to identify a pathway to develop a pool of early career members of our team in tandem with other First Nations identified positions with an appropriate support framework to optimise the success of the program.

2016

• Commitment by CareFlight Board of Directors and Management team to consider reconciliation in all aspects of the business
• Identified the need to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
• Community Relations Manager position created to drive reconciliation process
• Cross-cultural awareness training was introduced for CareFlight team members
• Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) was formed and includes staff and local stakeholder representatives

2017

• Inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan released on 15 February 2017 with a series of staff and community engagement events
• Community Visit Program commenced to visit communities to maintain and strengthen relationships at a non-mission speed

2018

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Career Development and Employment Strategy created, with objective to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees across CareFlight
• RAPWG and our Community Relations Manager worked to build relationships with Traditional Owner groups and other organisations to develop protocols for Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremonies and permission to visit country
• Naming ceremony for aircraft Garramilla / City of Darwin with Larrakia leaders in Darwin
• Language appropriate signage for airstrips developed and review of collateral to ensure it delivers effective communication to the communities we work with

2019

• Participated in community NAIDOC events and hosted our inaugural CareFlight Open Day in Darwin as a part of the NAIDOC calendar of events.
• Naming ceremony for aircraft Pamjang Peyintin – Maj Nguluk / Town of Katherine with Jawoyn leaders in Katherine.
• The 2019 ‘Casablanca’ Hangar Ball offered goods, services, artwork and support donated by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.

2020

• CareFlight entered the second phase of our reconciliation journey with the launch of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan on 17 February 2020 at our Darwin operation
• The CareFlight Board, management and team members joined with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and community members to celebrate this launch

2021

• CareFlight partners with Woolworth to deliver fresh fruit to kids in remote communities across the NT. Every week CareFlight delivers approximately 135kg of fresh fruit to some of the most remote communities in Australia. Read more.
• CareFlight partners with Indigenous Youth Mobility Pathways Project (IYMP) to support Indigenous youth from remote communities that come to Darwin to complete apprenticeships, studies or training. CareFlight employs our first staff through this program in 2021. Read more.

2022

• CareFlight enhance our partnership with VIVA Energy Australia (CareFlight sponsor and aviation fuel provider) by introducing sponsored First Nations Traineeships, funded by Viva Energy. Read more.
• CareFlight takes part in opening ceremony of NAIDOC Week in Darwin.

2023

• CareFlight Increases Engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suppliers via Supply Nation – Membership with Supply Nation: As part of our reconciliation action plan to bolster supplier diversity for economic and social empowerment, CareFlight proudly stands as a member of Supply Nation. Leveraging the Indigenous Business Direct Database, we connect with over 4,500 verified Indigenous businesses, further solidifying our support for Indigenous enterprises and inclusive economic growth.

2024

• CareFlight expands staff Cross Cultural awareness training nationally.
• CareFlight develops ground-breaking in-language communication tools to improve healthcare services for First Nations peoples. The Viva Energy Australia & CareFlight In-Language Program is a significant step forward in patient care and cultural inclusivity, utilising oral and pictorially driven communications on tablet or iPads to ensure that patients fully understand their rights, expectations, and responsibilities, while also providing them with the opportunity to offer valuable feedback, compliments, or complaints whilst onboard.

2025

• CareFlight launches a groundbreaking lifesaving burns video developed in partnership with First Nations interpreters, community leaders, and businesses, and supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency. The video was delivered in nine First Nations languages to empower remote communities to save lives.
• CareFlight’s Pathways to Employment program saw further progression, with a trainee whose journey began in 2022 stepping into a Human Resources Trainee position.
• CareFlight’s In-Language program was formally recognised for excellence, receiving a commendation during NSQHS accreditation in 2025, highlighting its impact on culturally responsive governance and continuous improvement.

Visit our First Nations website area to view vital information in-language, and see a complete overview of some of our current initiatives.

Mentoring and support

CareFlight already provides mentoring and support to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CareFlight team member also acts as a “buddy” for new employees to ease the transition.