Search and rescue in Australia
Australia has one of the largest search and rescue regions in the world.
Search and rescue (SAR)
- Australia has one of the largest SAR regions, covering 53 million square kilometres, which is one-tenth of the Earth’s surface, extending to Antarctica.
- Our SAR region borders 11 other SAR regions and includes some of the world’s major shipping routes.
- We collaborate closely with other nations and take a leadership role in SAR in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific Oceans.
As a member of the International Maritime Organization Council and with a significant interest in shipping and maritime safety, Australia plays a key role SAR capabilities across the region.
We follow international SAR guidelines and set our own policies to help those in distress anywhere in our region.
When conducting SAR activities, we follow the guidance of international conventions. Australia is responsible for setting its national policies and procedures in line with these conventions to ensure we are providing an effective service to anyone in distress, no matter where they are in the Australian region.
Our SAR services are backed by strong partnerships and programs in:
- the north-west Indian Ocean
- Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
- the south-west Pacific Island countries and territories.
Australia’s SAR teams respond quickly using:
- satellite technology
- response equipment
- emergency towage vessels
- 4 jet aircraft.
Our skilled team works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help people in need, whether in the air, on land and at sea.
