Independent analysis by UK company ORH has confirmed the Northern Territory experiences the highest rate of ambulance demand in Australia, with emergency demand increasing by almost 40 per cent over the past five years.
The “Demand Causation Analysis” shows emergency ambulance responses have increased from an average of 123 incidents each day in 2020 to 171 incidents each day in 2025. Since 2015, demand has grown by more than 60 per cent, with increases recorded across every major service area and some of the strongest growth occurring outside Darwin.
St John NT CEO Abigail Trewin said the findings highlighted the growing pressure on frontline ambulance services and the need for long-term investment to ensure the Territory could continue to meet increasing demand.
"A strong ambulance service is essential infrastructure," Ms Trewin said.
"It supports workforce attraction and retention, gives confidence to families considering making the Territory their home and provides critical emergency care for communities across metropolitan, regional and remote areas."
Despite operating in one of Australia's most geographically dispersed environments, St John NT continues to operate the leanest ambulance service in the country.
Across Darwin, Palmerston, Litchfield and Parap, just five operational ambulance crews provide emergency coverage. Alice Springs has three frontline crews, Katherine has two, while Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy each operate a single crew.
"When an ambulance is committed to a lengthy emergency, hospital transfer or is delayed at an emergency department, available capacity to respond to the next Triple Zero (000) call is immediately reduced," Ms Trewin said.
"The independent analysis confirms what our crews experience every day – demand continues to grow while the pressure on the system continues to increase."
Beyond emergency response, St John NT reinvests all revenue generated through its commercial operations or first aid training, medical supplies and vehicle services, back into the Territory. This supports approximately 400 volunteers, including around 200 young people participating in youth development programs, while helping deliver first aid services at more than 800 community events in the last financial year.
The NT Government Ambulance Services contract funds approximately 280 paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers and operational employees who live, work and raise their families in the Northern Territory.
"Investment in St John NT is an investment in local jobs, safer communities, stronger regional capability and a resilient Territory workforce," Ms Trewin said.
St John NT is currently in discussions with NT Health regarding a new ambulance service agreement. The current agreement concludes in December after operating under a series of short-term extensions for several years.
Ms Trewin said the uncertainty was affecting workforce planning, recruitment, fleet replacement and infrastructure investment at a time when demand continued to rise.
"We are seeking a five-year agreement that provides the certainty needed to recruit additional paramedics, expand operational capacity and plan responsibly for the future," she said.
"St John NT has proudly served Territorians for more than 70 years and delivered the Territory's ambulance service for more than 50. This independent analysis demonstrates why long-term planning and sustainable investment are essential to ensuring the ambulance service can continue to meet the Territory's growing needs."
The Demand Causation Analysis was produced by ORH, a UK based company experienced in analysis of demand, performance and resource deployment for emergency services including a number of ambulance services.
Demand is defined as any incident that received a vehicle response on scene, excluding public duty events such as those attended by St John NT volunteers.
The Demand Causation Analysis is available to download here: ORH Demand Causation Analysis _June 2026.pdf
