On 8 November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines causing widespread loss of life and infrastructure. At the request of the Philippines Government, and as part of Operation Philippines Assist, the Australian Government deployed a field hospital and fully self-sustaining civilian medical team to assist with immediate post disaster medical and surgical care. This paper describes the establishment of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) hospital, the surgical and medical workload, and handover to the local health system at the end of deployment. During the 23 days the hospital was operational, 2374 patients were assessed and treated and 222 operations performed. Operation Philippines Assist marks a critical point in the evolution of Australia’s capacity to provide professional emergent medical relief in the setting of sudden onset disaster. It was the first occasion in which an Australian team, comprised of members from all Australian states and territories, was deployed overseas to provide medical assistance in the wake of a natural disaster. Two New Zealand Medical Assistance Team (NZMAT) members were also embedded and deployed with the hospital. This deployment also marks the first time an AUSMAT field hospital has deployed with the capacity to provide surgical services. The AUSMAT field hospital adheres to the World Health Organization’s guidelines for foreign medical teams (FMT) and this paper outlines the professional response of a well-trained and equipped FMT in Tacloban, Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.