Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At APC we look for commitment, passion and the like to ensure you will be committed to completing the course. We want to see our students succeed and give people of all backgrounds the chance to enter the emergency health care industry.

Like any Registered Training Organisation or University in Australia, there are certain entry requirements which need to be met before applying to study at APC. To apply for APC, the following must be met:

• Age: Be at least 16 years of age (parental consent required if under 18)
• Education: At least year-10 high-school or equivalent
• Residency: Be an AUS/NZ citizen, AUS PR, or hold an approved temporary visa
• Driver’s license: Hold a current driver’s license*
• Technology: Have regular access to a computer and internet, and be comfortable with online study and assessments

*You may apply and enrol holding your learner’s (L) licence, however, you will need a provisional licence (P) before attending Workshop 1 (approximately 12 months into your preferred course).

Pre-intake checks include:

• Language, Literacy and Numeracy: You will complete a short quiz to check basic English and math skills, and help us better support you through your course (unless already holding equivalent or higher qualification).
• Health: Medical declaration to ensure you are fit to study

Clinical Placement checks, prior to the time of placement:

• Evidence of National Police clearance
• Working with Children’s check (blue card)

We encourage you to reach out so we can put you in touch with one of our Course Advisors who can help guide you and work through any relevant details prior to application.

No! Most of your course is completed online so you can study in your own time, wherever you’re based in Australia!

Course duration really depends on each individual’s study load and ability to fit it into their own schedule. However, here is an estimated time frame for each APC course:

• HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care: Up to 24 months
• HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care: Up to 18 months
• HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport: Up to 12 months

The good news is your course can be completed much faster! It really comes down to your personal goals and ability to fit study into your current schedule.

At APC we take a blended learning approach.

So, what does this mean for you? You get to enjoy the flexibility of completing most of your course online, in the comfort of your home anytime that suits you!

The only in-person element is attending Clinical Workshops and completing your Clinical Placement when the time comes. Learn more about the unique experience we offer and what it means to be a student at APC here.

Yes! All APC courses are nationally recognised, enabling you to kick start your career in emergency health care no matter where you live in Australia.

APC offers flexible payment options, depending on your financial situation.

Enquire today and chat to one of our friendly Course Advisors about course fees and discover the right payment option for you.

No! When you choose to study with APC, your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) does not matter.

If you didn’t get the ATAR you were hoping for, it doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to get to university, it just means you need to consider alternative ways of getting there. The good news is, if you’re aiming for a career in the emergency health care sector but don’t have the results you need to go to university right now, a pathway course with APC is a great option for you.

Learn more about why your ATAR doesn’t matter here.

Yes! Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) are applicable for all APC courses.

If you wish to have previous experience and learning recognised as part of your enrolment, we can help you find out what you may be eligible for. Please contact us to learn more about your personal circumstances today!

Clinical Workshops are a definite highlight for our students during their study journey!

The workshops are an interactive, hands-on experience where you will develop your practical skills alongside our experienced trainers and fellow students in-person.

Once you’ve completed all relevant units online, you will attend a workshop to start putting it all into practice. The workshop will consist of short theoretical lectures, demonstrations and then the most exciting part of all – you will get to use all the latest medical emergency equipment! A favourite amongst our students is driving APC’s decommissioned state ambulances!

During the HLT51020 Diploma of Emergency Health Care you’ll complete two 5-day Clinical Workshops. If you’re completing either the HLT41120 Certificate IV in Health Care or HLT31120 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport, you’ll complete a 5-day Clinical Workshop.

Watch this video to get a sneak peek into what our workshops are all about!

All workshops are held across our Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia campuses.

Many students fly in and spend the week at these locations, often choosing our beachside location in sunny Queensland!

Clinical Placement is real on-the-job experience that students are required to complete during their course*.

We are partnered with many incredible industry leaders across Australia who regularly take our students for their placements, including St John, Medical Edge, Event Medical Plus, and many more!

This invaluable experience gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired skills in a real situation, often as a first responder at events such as music festivals and sporting games. Some APC students even go on to become an employee of our industry partners following the completion of their placement!

To learn a bit more about Clinical Placement opportunities, feel free to reach out and one of our friendly Course Advisors can walk you through the process in more detail.

*Students are required to complete Clinical Placement hours for the following courses:

• HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care requires you to complete a total of 160 hours of clinical placement.
• HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care requires you to complete 80 hours of clinical placement.

To become a Registered Paramedic and work with a State Ambulance Service you will need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a university. However, one of the most popular pathways to become a Registered Paramedic is to complete a Diploma first.

So, what are the benefits to completing the Diploma first?

1. If you do not have an ATAR or a high enough ATAR, the Diploma can act as a bridging or steppingstone qualification to help you gain entry to the Bachelor’s degree.
2. What you learn in the Diploma is very similar to what you will learn in your first year of university, making what you do have to complete in that first year a lot easier and less stressful as you will already have that foundational knowledge.
3. You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning which can shorten your degree. This will vary on your chosen university and is assessed on a case by case basis.
4. The biggest advantage is becoming nationally qualified to start working in the private sector as soon as you graduate from APC! This means you can have the advantage of working in the industry whilst studying your degree, which means you’ll have more practical experience and confidence as a health care professional when you graduate from university!

APC is a great choice to get you started in the emergency health care sector, depending on your personal career goals and past education too.

We encourage you to speak with one our Course Advisors who will be able to help answer any questions you might have and provide guidance on the best way forward for you!

Many universities in Australia offer a VET pathway to their bachelor programs. You can find these on our website here.

While the HLT51020 Diploma of Emergency Health Care is a pathway to university, there is are no guarantee you will be able to get into any university at any time. Please keep in mind it can be competitive with limited spots available!

For students without an ATAR who wish to become a Registered Paramedic, we offer a unique opportunity for students to apply for university that they would not otherwise have. Many APC students who have taken this path have been successful.

We recommend speaking to one of our Course Advisors about your personal circumstances and career goals so we can best support you on your study journey.

Depending on which course you choose, there are different career pathways available to you once you’ve graduated.

From becoming a Patient Transport Officer to an Event Medic, or even starting your journey to becoming a Registered Paramedic, there are different job possibilities depending on your career aspirations. Learn more about career pathways here.

Yes, absolutely! 

At APC we understand students have other important commitments such as full-time jobs that they need to focus on whilst studying too. This is why our courses are designed to be flexible, so you can study at your own pace when it suits you!

Many of our students work while studying, especially those who are looking to change careers. Listen to Ashleigh’s story where she talks about studying the Diploma while working full-time in aged care.

At APC we believe everyone should have the opportunity to follow their passion, no matter their background or level of experience.

Concerns about being smart enough to study are very common however as you can hear in this video, our students found the supportive learning environment of APC helped them overcome any initial doubts they had.

You’re welcome to contact us if you have any concerns you’d like to discuss. One of our friendly Course Advisors can help provide you with more information so you feel comfortable about enrolling too!

At APC we are passionate about offering education and continued learning to people of all ages!*

We have plenty of people who have enrolled as mature-age students and enjoy studying at APC at a later stage in their life. You can hear from a few of our students first-hand about their positive experience here.

*You must be at least 16 years of age to enrol at APC (parental consent required if you’re under 18).

Our expert team of Trainers and Assessors have decades of emergency health experience and will give you the knowledge and confidence to succeed throughout your APC journey.

We understand not all students learn the same way, so we provide a blended, interactive learning environment which caters to everyone’s individual study needs.

As a student, you can also;

• Join an exclusive forum for APC students on Facebook where you will be able to connect with a supportive network of fellow students;
• Have direct contact with our dedicated Student Success Team who can help when you need assistance with any general queries you may have; and
• Access online resources such as the APC Resource Library as well as all our CPD sessions 24/7!