Aust health workers leave for west Africa

Before hopping on a plane bound for Ebola-hit Sierra Leone, a Sydney nurse admitted she was scared but knew it was the right thing to do.

She's one of 17 Australian health workers who left Sydney Airport on Friday afternoon to help fight the Ebola crisis gripping west Africa.

"I don't think where you live should determine whether you live," said Molly, who asked for her surname not to be made public.

"I've been brought up with a strong social conscience ... if you have the skill set and you're available, anyone in a similar situation would go."

The 27-year-old emergency department nurse from Sydney's inner west said her family was understandably nervous.

"I'm nervous, too, but sometimes you've got to put fear aside to do what's right," she said.

The medical team, comprising six doctors, eight nurses and three environmental health officers, is part of the Abbott government's response to calls for countries to do more to combat the disease.

Ebola has claimed more than 5000 lives since the beginning of the year.

Members of the group will be deployed for periods ranging from one to three months.

Molly hopes to stay for six weeks.

"The burnout rate is probably quite high given the kind of work we'll be doing," she said.

It's understood they will be based at the 100-bed treatment centre at Hastings airfield, near the Sierra Leone capital, being built by British engineers.

The centre will be handed over to the Australian mission in mid-December.

Molly said the group had undergone training and would be trained for a further week in-country.