St John Started operating the Ambulance Service in the Northern Territory (specifically in the Darwin Region) in 1975 as a result of two major incidents in the 1974-1975 era. The first being Cyclone Tracy (Christmas Eve 1974) and the second being the lead-up to Self-Governance for the Northern Territory.

When Cyclone Tracy swept through Darwin, St John (at the time, all volunteers and still under South Australia Jurisdiction) was one of the major relief providers, providing ambulance transportation, first aid and a Casualty Clearing Station.

The next year (1975), saw the Northern Territory gain self governance. The Legislative Assembly at the time was not ready, nor indeed, legislated to assume responsibility for health functions as large as an the Ambulance Service so the existence and experience of St John – ready to fill the void was a case of being in the right place at the right time.

In 1977 the formal handover of St John Jurisdiction from South Australia to the Northern Territory took place. Also in the same year, a financial appeal was put in place to build the new St John Main Headquarters (and Ambulance Station) at Casuarina.

1985 saw the establishment of the Ambulance Service in the new township of Palmerston. At first a temporary arrangement (facilities were shared with the fire fighters) a more permanent presence was established later that year.

The co-location of all emergency services communications to the Peter McAulay Centre in 1999 saw St John communications working alongside Police and Fire Service communicators in a World best practice environment.

As of the 29th December 2008 an additional resource has come into service at the Palmerston station operating 7 days a week 12 hours a day, operating hours are 1300 until 0100. A 2008 election promise will see this additional resource being increased to another 10/14 roster allowing 2 crews to operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week out of Palmerston station.

St John Ambulance Darwin provides a 24 hour 7 day a week service to the residents of the Darwin, Palmerston and rural areas. The Darwin roster consists of 43 Paramedics ranging from Students through to Intensive Care Paramedics. The service operates out of 3 Centres being Casuarina the main headquarters, Parap station being the city station and the Palmerston station covering the Palmerston and rural areas. This service extends 150klms south on the Stuart Highway to Hayes Creek and East 300klms along the Arnhem Highway to Jabiru.

Each station consists of a 10/14 roster, day shift starting at 0800 and finishing at 1800 and night shift commencing at 1800 and finishing at 0800, Casuarina station has an additional resource 8 hours a day 5 days a week starting at 1500 and finishing at 2300.

The Service also operates a Clinic bus that transports patients to medical appointments and it is currently staffed by one employee.

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