Emergency services operations describe fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter flights for:

• aeromedical services (air ambulance, medical evacuations, patient transport and urgent organ transport, e.g. the Royal Flying Doctor Service)
• fire fighting response and support
• search and rescue missions
• police air wing activities.

Emergency services operations are sometimes more noticeable to the community because they operate in areas where flight paths and aircraft operations are not typical, and where they conduct out of the ordinary activities, including repetitive circling and low-level flying.

Emergency services operations are usually conducted at short notice and can occur at any time of the day or night.

They typically follow standard flight paths at the airport where they are arriving to or departing from. However, there may be times where the pilot flies the shortest distance directly to or from the airport.

Emergency services operations may take priority over other aircraft and they may use a different runway to the one used by regular aircraft.
Aircraft in the vicinity may also be asked to hold their current position by circling and hovering in the air to allow the emergency services aircraft to quickly land or depart before them.

At airports without air traffic control services, the pilot of the emergency services aircraft will determine the most appropriate runway and flight route to use and will usually be given priority by other aircraft operating nearby.

Emergency response helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft can fly close together when travelling to or from an incident site and may also use the closest aerodrome for refuelling, refilling of water for fire fighting or restocking for emergency supplies.

Aircraft involved in aerial surveillance or search and rescue operations can conduct repetitive circling or travel back and forth over an area, often at a lower altitude so the on-board personnel with surveillance and camera equipment have appropriate visibility.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) determines how low aircraft, including helicopters, can fly when responding to an emergency incident.
Aircraft will generally be no lower than 1000ft (305m) over built-up areas and 500ft (152m) over other areas, except for when they are taking off or landing. However, emergency services aircraft are typically approved by CASA to operate at lower altitudes in certain emergency situations.

Emergency aircraft are permitted to operate during curfew hours (11pm-6am) at Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Essendon Fields airports, which ensures timely responses to emergencies or events requiring these types of emergency services operations.