The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) in Darwin will receive more than $55 million from the Albanese Labor Government to support its operations. NCCTRC is federally funded under an agreement between the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government.
 
The new three-year funding, commencing in July 2024, will allow the NCCTRC to maintain the staff, equipment and resources needed for 24/7 peak preparedness, against a sudden onset health emergency.
 
The NCCTRC is a key component of the Albanese’s Government’s response to disasters and emergencies. It provides medical assistance in response to sudden onset health emergencies, both natural and man-made, of local, national and international significance.
 
The centre is located at the Darwin airport and the Royal Darwin Hospital, where it provides trauma and critical care surge capacity in response to mass causality events.
 
One of its key capabilities is training, coordination and deployment of volunteer personnel to form Australian Medical Assistance Teams, or AUSMAT. 
 
NCCTRC is also a specialist trauma medicine hub for northern Australia. It provides an injury prevention program for NT youth and parents, trauma and disaster research, and education for clinicians across Australia, South East Asia and Pacific countries.