About us
About Us
Federally funded through the Australian Government, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) was established following Darwin’s response to the 2002 Bali bombings.
Since establishment in 2004, the NCCTRC has become a key component of the Australian Government’s disaster and emergency medical preparedness and response capability to natural and man-made incidents of local, national and international significance.
While initially responses concentrated on international events and disasters, more recently the focus has shifted to public health emergencies such as the measles epidemic in Samoa (October 2019-January 2020), as well as to domestic deployments including the catastrophic bush fires in Victoria and New South Wales in January 2020, and Australia’s COVID-19 response.
Key elements of the NCCTRC’s capacity to quickly and effectively respond include the coordination and delivery of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) program achieved through teaching, exercising, research and the maintenance of a nationally agreed upon AUSMAT database. This is well complemented through the NCCTRC’s ability to maintain a constant state of readiness by being equipped and prepared to respond quickly upon request by the Australian Government.
The NCCTRC is an internationally recognised governing body and brand. The NCCTRC encompasses a local, national and international disaster and medical support identity. The NCCTRC is the operational arm for the Australian Health Department, and coordinates and deploys AUSMAT in response to domestic or international disaster where assistance is requested to support the Ministry of Health.
The NCCTRC comply with international standards, are self-sufficient and provide a response that is appropriate to the needs of the affected community. This may range from needs assessment to acute care including trauma through to public health response. It is one element of Australia’s humanitarian aid program with an aim to ensure our neighbours are prepared for and can respond to disasters.
Our vision
Our vision is to be recognised as global leaders in sudden onset health emergency preparedness and response.
Our values are the foundation of our organisation. They define how we work together with our stakeholders, strategic partners and staff.
- Respect – we pay due regard to the behaviours and actions of others
- Loyalty – we are committed to partnerships that improve outcomes
- Diplomacy – our sensitivity to others ensures positive relations
- Comradery – the spirit of our actions is to build strong relationships
- Trust – we have faith in others
Our mission
Our purpose is leading Australia’s health emergency response. We build capacity and capability through partnerships, education and training, research and establishing new clinical standards that drive excellence in trauma and critical care, locally, nationally and internationally.
Our goals
As we strive to become global leaders in emergency health response, we have identified five strategic goals. Each of these goals have supporting objectives and defined actions for our staff to work towards. We will monitor our success through the achievement of our critical success factors, feedback from our stakeholders and the greater impact of our activities.
Leading Australia’s emergency response capability
We lead Australian’s national emergency response by preparing the nation’s best deployable clinical staff, and providing a rapidly deployable self-sustainable field.
Strengthening strategic partnerships
Strong partnerships and alliances locally, nationally and internationally are central to achieving our vision.
Investing in Northern Australia’s capacity
We build surge capacity within Northern Australia’s health system by enhancing trauma and critical care resources and establishing preventative programs.
Setting professional standards
We contribute to and implement Australia’s health emergency medical team and disaster response standards that are valued globally.
Driving innovation
We research, develop and advocate for innovative best practice clinical care in sudden onset health emergencies and in low resource settings.
