The Australian Antarctic Division is racing against time to rescue three people injured in a helicopter crash on the frozen continent.

The chopper's pilot and two Antarctic Division employees were in the aircraft when it came down on Monday morning about 150 nautical miles from Davis Station, breaking into several pieces.

They are being helped by two people in another helicopter that was travelling in tandem.

The crew were returning to Davis station after surveying a penguin colony when the Squirrel helicopter crashed.

Rescuers are hopeful that a break in the weather will help efforts to reach the injured crew.

The Australian Antarctic Division's Tony Fleming says rescuers are trying to reach the injured before conditions change.

The helicopter itself is a write-off.

"It's disabled, and it's not recoverable," Mr Fleming said.

"We are focussing on the recovery operation. The second helicopter is fine and a couple of the injured employees are taking shelter in that second helicopter."