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StarFlight Australia has recruited staff from Rotor-Lift Aviation as it prepares to take over Tasmania’s aeromedical services contract.
The company, which will replace Rotor-Lift for aerial EMS in the state starting 12 January, says that most of its advertised pilot, air crew officer, and aircraft maintenance engineer positions have been filled by Rotor-Lift employees.
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“We’re very pleased that so many Rotor-Lift staff have chosen to join us as we prepare to launch our aeromedical service with state-of-the-art aircraft and highly trained crews across Tasmania,” said StarFlight Tasmania general manager Kriss Lawler.
“It was part of our strategy from the start to retain as many highly experienced Tasmanians as possible because that institutional knowledge is so important.
“The focus now is on providing first-class care, safety and improved patient outcomes to Tasmanians no matter where they live.”
Tasmania’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, welcomed the news, and said it “ensures the retention of local jobs, knowledge, and experience”.
“Training has been undertaken in recent months in collaboration with Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police, with all services, staff, and equipment ready to go live on January 12,” she said.
“This ensures the continuation of the essential, lifesaving services Tasmanians expect and rely on in their time of need – often delivered in the most challenging of conditions and terrain.
“While we are about to enter this exciting new chapter for emergency air services in Tasmania, I also want to acknowledge and sincerely thank outgoing provider Rotor-Lift Aviation for its significant work supporting the Tasmanian community over the last two decades.”
The decision to award Tasmania’s $354 million, 12-year contract to StarFlight was condemned by Rotor-Lift at the time, with managing director Allana Corbin saying in August that it had been done without consulting the existing operator.
“This is a devastating day that will spell the end of Rotor-Lift, put 37 Tasmanian jobs at risk, increase uncertainty for a core service and put the budget under unnecessary pressure,” she said.
“We are a family here, and come the middle of January, we will cease to exist. All that intensive training and experience Rotor-Lift has invested in is basically being picked up and handed to somebody else, and that’s pretty hard to take.”
StarFlight has invested in three new Airbus H145 helicopters for its Tasmanian operations, which are expected to enter service from late 2027.
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