Paramedic
Paramedics assess and treat people at the scene of an illness or injury and during transport, including in ambulance services and in other health, industry and community settings. Paramedicine is a nationally registered profession in Australia: to work as a paramedic or use the title, you need an approved qualification and registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia through Ahpra. Most people get there through an approved university degree, and some move across from another health profession through postgraduate study. Entry programs, selection steps and requirements such as a driver's licence and health and fitness checks are set by each employer and service, and differ between states and territories, so check them before you plan your study.
Where could you go next?
Study an approved paramedicine program
A Bachelor of Paramedicine or Paramedic Science, or a postgraduate program for people who already hold another health degree, that the Paramedicine Board of Australia has approved. Students are registered by their education provider while they study.
Apply for registration as a paramedic
Graduating does not register you. You apply to the Paramedicine Board of Australia through Ahpra and meet its standards, including English language skills, criminal history and professional indemnity insurance.
Graduate or entry-level paramedic role
Many graduates apply to graduate programs run by state and territory ambulance services, which set their own selection steps. Other employers include patient transport providers and industry, mining and event medical services.
Experienced and advanced practice
With experience and further training, paramedics can move into advanced or critical care practice, aeromedical and retrieval work, or specialist clinical roles. Titles and the training behind them differ between services.
Educator, clinical support or leader
Experience can lead into teaching, clinical support, team leadership, operations and management roles.
Explore your options
Go deeper clinically
With experience and further training, move into advanced or critical care practice, or into aeromedical, retrieval and other specialist roles, where services offer them.
Explore roles →Move into leadership
Build team leadership and operations skills to lead crews, stations or a service.
Explore pathway →Move into education
Use your field experience to teach and support the next generation of paramedics.
Explore roles →Work in regional or remote communities
Explore emergency health roles in regional, rural and remote communities, where conditions, travel and supervision vary.
Explore roles →Skills that can move your career forward
What could help you take the next step?
Qualifications that may help, depending on the direction you choose — not a requirement for every role.
6 jobs related to this pathway
What could you earn?
Explore current pay information and understand how experience, role and setting can affect remuneration.
6 courses that could support this direction
Certificate IV in Health Care
Australian Paramedical College
A Certificate IV qualification (HLT41120) that trains students to deliver basic life support in healthcare settings. It covers assessing and triaging patients, emergency care, patient transport, responding to incidents such as car accidents and mass casualty events, and communicating with diverse patients and colleagues. It includes one 5-day clinical workshop and 80 hours of clinical placement. Offered by Australian Paramedical College. Studied as a mix of online and face-to-face learning. Delivery locations can vary, so check the provider's page for where and when it runs. Fees, intakes and entry requirements are on the provider's page.
Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Australian Paramedical College
A Certificate III qualification (HLT31120) that prepares students to work as a patient transport officer. Theory is studied online, and a 5-day clinical workshop builds practical skills, including advanced first aid, resuscitation and oxygen therapy. Offered by Australian Paramedical College. Studied as a mix of online and face-to-face learning. Delivery locations can vary, so check the provider's page for where and when it runs. Fees, intakes and entry requirements are on the provider's page.
Diploma of Emergency Health Care
Australian Paramedical College
A diploma-level qualification (HLT51020) in pre-hospital emergency health care, which the provider describes as a pathway toward becoming a paramedic. It covers patient assessment and triage, managing conditions such as cardiac arrest and asthma, patient transport, and responding to incidents including car accidents and mass casualty events. It includes two 5-day clinical workshops and 160 hours of clinical placement. Offered by Australian Paramedical College. Studied as a mix of online and face-to-face learning. Delivery locations can vary, so check the provider's page for where and when it runs. Fees, intakes and entry requirements are on the provider's page.
Accredited HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Course
Skills Training College
Accredited first aid certification for care and community workers, covering emergency management, resuscitation and injury response with a practical assessment.
Anaphylaxis First Aid
Australia Wide First Aid
A short online course teaching care and support workers how to recognise and respond to a severe allergic reaction, including correct use of an adrenaline autoinjector.
Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy (HLTAID015)
My First Aid Course
Advanced resuscitation training for healthcare and care workers, covering oxygen therapy, airway management and advanced life support techniques beyond standard CPR.