Paramedic

Paramedics are medical professionals who attend car accidents, workplace injuries, and other medical emergencies where an ambulance has been called. They provide medical treatment and emergency support at the scene, as well as ongoing support in the ambulance and in transit to the emergency room.

As a Paramedic you could be assisting an athlete who has been injured during a public match, treating someone on the side of the road who has been injured in a car crash, responding to a serious incident that has occurred on a construction site, transferring a non-emergency patient to another healthcare facility, replenishing medical supplies in the ambulance, or preparing a follow-up report after a medical emergency.

Paramedicine is a challenging occupation and to succeed you will need to be quick-thinking and level-headed, physically fit, and able to cope with the sight of blood and traumatic injuries.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $109,512
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a paramedic?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended

Bachelor of Paramedicine
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $78,960
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic
Ambulance Service Paramedic Remote Area Nurse Flight Paramedic
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic Ambulance Service Paramedic Remote Area Nurse Flight Paramedic + 3 more

Bachelor of Health Science
Blended, On Campus, Online
24 - 36 months
$0 - $97,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Public Health Officer Health Service Manager Health and Safety Manager
Bus Driver Renal Care Nurse Orthoptist Podiatrist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Paramedic Anatomist Sports Therapist Community Health Liaison Health Informatician Global Health Advisor Clinical Research Associate Community Nutritionist Vision Therapist Rehabilitation Consultant Clinical Facilitator Clinical Research Manager
+ 17 more

Bachelor of Paramedic Science
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$27,000 - $86,859
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Critical Care Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Paramedic
Ambulance Service Paramedic
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Critical Care Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Paramedic Ambulance Service Paramedic + 1 more

Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine
Blended, On Campus
12 months
$0 - $9,314
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Critical Care Paramedic Flight Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic
Paramedic Ambulance Service Paramedic
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Critical Care Paramedic Flight Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Paramedic Ambulance Service Paramedic + 2 more

Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours)
On Campus
4 years
$35,792
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ambulance Service Paramedic Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic
Intensive Care Paramedic Flight Paramedic Emergency Services Officer (ESO)
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ambulance Service Paramedic Paramedic Critical Care Paramedic Intensive Care Paramedic Flight Paramedic Emergency Services Officer (ESO) + 3 more
PUASAR022

Participate in a Rescue Operation
Blended, On Campus, Traineeship
1 - 2 days
$0 - $619
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Paramedic
Beach Lifeguard Safety Officer Australian Defence Force Medic
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Paramedic Beach Lifeguard Safety Officer Australian Defence Force Medic + 3 more
SISORSC003

Perform Complex Vertical Rescues
Distance
5 days
$1,500
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Outdoor Adventure Guide Rigger
Paramedic Maintenance Technician Geotechnical Engineer
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Outdoor Adventure Guide Rigger Paramedic Maintenance Technician Geotechnical Engineer + 3 more
VU23311

Prepare to Work within the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System
On Campus
2 days
$995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Firefighter Paramedic
Ambulance Transport Attendant Incident Controller Logistics Officer Planning Officer Humanitarian Aid Worker
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Firefighter Paramedic Ambulance Transport Attendant Incident Controller Logistics Officer Planning Officer Humanitarian Aid Worker + 5 more
10762NAT

Course in Wound Closure
Traineeship
2 days
$700
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nurse Practitioner Registered Nurse Paramedic
Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Occupational Health Nurse
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nurse Practitioner Registered Nurse Paramedic Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Occupational Health Nurse + 2 more
PUASAR024

Undertake Road Crash Rescue
On Campus
2 - 5 days
$0 - $760
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Paramedic
Police Officer Rescue Technician
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Firefighter Emergency Services Officer (ESO) Paramedic Police Officer Rescue Technician + 2 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Emergency Medical Technician

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Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Advanced

Aviation Medic

An Aviation Medic provides emergency medical care during air travel, stabilising patients in remote areas and responding to various situations.

Avg yearly income $104,000
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Patient Transport Officer

A Patient Transport Officer safely transfers non-emergency patients between locations, requiring communication skills, physical fitness, and procedural accuracy.

Avg yearly income $59,020
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Industrial Medic

An Industrial Medic delivers emergency healthcare at remote work sites, responding to accidents, managing injuries, and coordinating patient transport.

Avg yearly income $78,000
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Australian Defence Force Medic

An Australian Defence Force Medic provides medical care in emergencies, managing multiple casualties while staying calm under pressure.

Avg yearly income $98,800
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Emergency Medical Dispatcher

An Emergency Medical Dispatcher answers emergency calls, prioritises responses, and provides advice while paramedics are en route.

Avg yearly income $67,600
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Emergency Services Officer (ESO)

An Emergency Services Officer (ESO) ensures site safety during emergencies, assesses situations, and arranges medical treatment for casualties.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Advanced

Volunteer Ambulance Driver

A Volunteer Ambulance Driver transports patients in non-emergencies, requiring flexibility, strong communication skills, and adherence to procedures.

Avg yearly income $0
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Ambulance Service Paramedic

An Ambulance Service Paramedic provides emergency care, responds to 000 calls, treats patients on-site, and must stay calm under pressure with strong decision-making skills.

Avg yearly income $89,960
Skill level Advanced

Critical Care Paramedic

Critical Care Paramedics are highly trained responders who manage severe medical emergencies, requiring quick thinking and advanced skills.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Advanced

Intensive Care Paramedic

Intensive Care Paramedics are expert responders who manage severe emergencies, performing advanced procedures and supervising junior staff.

Avg yearly income $70,200
Skill level Advanced

Emergency Response Specialist

Emergency Response Specialists manage critical incidents, ensuring community safety through emergency plans, risk assessments, and training.

Avg yearly income $67,080
Skill level Advanced

Flight Paramedic

A Flight Paramedic provides advanced medical care during air transport, administering treatments and coordinating with teams to ensure patient safety.

Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Advanced

Ambulance Transport Attendant

An Ambulance Transport Attendant transports patients safely, ensuring comfort, monitoring their condition, and communicating effectively with healthcare teams.4o mini

Avg yearly income $67,600
Skill level Advanced

Common questions

How much do Paramedics earn?

Australian Paramedics earn approximately $2,106 per week ($109,512 annually). These are median figures for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only.

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What are the job opportunities for Paramedics?

There are approximately 27,000 ambulance officers and paramedics working in Australia right now. They are employed by the health authorities in each state or territory and are regulated by the Australian Paramedicine Board. This is a growth occupation.

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How do I become a Paramedic?

In Australia, paramedicine is a regulated profession under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), so to get a job, you will need formal qualifications as well as professional accreditation with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). There are two pathways to employment. (1) The VET pathway allows you to work in the health industry and shortens your time at university. Begin with the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport and the Diploma of Emergency Health Care. With these nationally recognised qualifications, you can start working immediately in an emergency support role. You’ll still need your Bachelor of Paramedicine, but you’ll gain RPL for your VET qualifications and the study time is reduced to two years. (2) The university pathway takes three years and requires a Bachelor’s degree and professional experience in the field. Suitable degrees include the Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science), Bachelor of Paramedicine, or Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine).

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Further reading

How to start a career as a Medical Receptionist

7th December 2021

How to become a qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist in Australia

23rd December 2024

How to start a career in Mental Health

5th August 2021

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