Starting your Study Journey
By choosing Australian Paramedical College (APC), you’re on the right path to kick-starting a rewarding career that helps save lives.
Prior to your next call, check out a Course Overview for each online course offered by APC:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) are applicable for all APC courses.
If you have any relevant qualifications, you may be eligible for Credit that could reduce the time and cost of your course.
If you wish to have previous experience and learning recognised as part of your enrolment, please email [email protected] with the following, and we will help you find out what you may be eligible for:
- Any qualifications with statement of attainment
- Any other statement of attainments
- A current & up to date resume
- Any other information that may support RPL/CT (e.g. Role Statement or Job Description)
- Your Unique Student Identifier Number (USI) transcript
Behind the Scenes at APC
Are you wondering what it’s really like to be an APC student?
Watch this video to learn all about the APC experience!
From learning why we’re the leading specialist college for pre-hospital healthcare to hearing all about our training facilities and education approach, you will quickly learn we’re passionate about what we do!
Your pathway to becoming a medic or paramedic
-
Step 1
Learn online with flexibility around your schedule
-
Step 2
Practice and hone your skills at clinical workshops
-
Step 3
Apply your skills on-the-job at clinical placements
-
Congratulations! You’re now nationally qualified!
-
Get a job in the sector
Start working immediately as an EMT, ESO, Event Medic, Industry Medic, Patient Transport Officer, and more!
-
Continue studying to become a registered paramedic
Get into university, complete your degree and become a registered state paramedic!
Career Pathways
Our qualifications are nationally recognised and can enable you to begin working in the emergency healthcare industry as soon as you graduate!
Our courses can lead to a range of jobs in the emergency healthcare sector, depending on which direction you’d like to take that aligns with your careers goals!
Private Medic Careers
If you’re looking to get straight into work as a Medic, the Diploma of Emergency Heath Care or the Certificate IV in Health Care will give you many of the skills needed to gain work in the private sector. Here are just a few private medic careers you could explore as an APC graduate:
- Event Medic
- Industrial Medic
- Medical Emergency Services Officer (ESO)
- Remote Medic
- Offshore Medic
- Adventure and Expedition Medic
ATA and EMT Careers
By studying the Cert IV or Diploma, you also have the option to accelerate your career as an Ambulance Transport Attendant (ATA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). These roles are often part of an ambulance crew and may be required to perform more advanced critical care, making them critical in the growing Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) sector.
Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) Careers
Alternatively, you can start working as a Patient Transport Officer (PTO) with our Cert III if this interests you too!
To be able to work as a registered State Ambulance Paramedic, you are required to hold a relevant bachelor’s degree and be AHPRA registered.
There are two ways to get a university paramedical degree:
- Direct Entry (Gain direct admission into university)
- Diploma Pathway (Gain a VET qualification and progress onto university)
APC offers the second entry pathway via the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.
There’s lots of reasons as to why people opt for studying a Diploma first including;
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Yes absolutely!
To help paint the picture of your future career, here’s some examples of different jobs and industries emergency healthcare professionals operate in so you can get a feel for which one you might be bested suited to:
-
Medic in mining, offshore, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, sports and tourism industries: Work in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment where every day is different. Develop your career and choose the sector that suits your past experiences and existing skills set.
-
Event medic at sporting events such as Commonwealth Games, rugby league, equine, football, soccer, NFL, NRL: Working with a wide range of employers, from organizations to contractors, can be personally rewarding on so many levels. Reassure spectators and participants alike just by being on-site to administer medical care and even save lives. This type of role would appeal to sports fans who wish to play a bigger part that just being a member of a cheering crowd.
-
Emergency response officer at airports, cruise terminals, train stations, bus terminals, ferries and heavy haulage depot: Work for private contractors who provide first response emergency care and assistance where vast amounts of people congregate and move through quickly.
-
Emergency Services Officer at public events, outdoor and indoor concerts: Provide immediate medical response where mass crowds gather. These types of roles can provide assistance with the effects of heat exhaustion and fatigue to full cardiac arrest and childbirth.
University Pathways
If you’re looking to become a State Ambulance Paramedic, find out how our qualifications can provide a pathway to further study!
Many universities in Australia offer a VET pathway to their bachelor programs.
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.
On our next call, we can discuss your personal circumstances and career goals so we can best support you on your study journey.
You may receive credits for completing the HLT5120 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.
Credits are awarded by universities through a Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) application process. The amount of credit awarded will vary depending on the university you choose.
APC proudly supports students across Australia who are interested in furthering their studies and wanting to pursue a university pathway to become a Registered Paramedic.
The HLT5120 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care may provide entry and credits towards a degree at the following universities*:
- QLD: CQUniversity
- NSW: Charles Sturt University
- VIC: Victoria University
- WA: Edith Cowan University
*We recommend checking with your chosen university to discuss your personal circumstances, keeping in mind VET entry is usually assessed as RPL on a case-by-case basis.
Our Industry Partners
APC partners with a number of incredible industry leaders across Australia to provide our students with quality Clinical Placement throughout their study journey.
Our Industry Partner’s offer APC students the opportunity to complete their Clinical Placement hours* under their supervision.
This means students are able to gain real on-the-job experience while they study with established and reputable organisations across Australia.
*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.
We are partnered with many incredible industry leaders across Australia who regularly take our students for their placements, including;
- St John
- Medical Edge
- Fire & Safety Australia
- Event Medical Plus
- Crown Melbourne
- EMT Medical Services
- ProMED Tasmania
- Sport & Event Medics, and many more!
Yes! Some APC students go on to work for our Industry Partners following the completion of their course.
If a student has gained experience with an organisation via Clinical Placement, and has demonstrated their clinical skillset and commitment during this time, it is not uncommon for them to be offered the chance to apply for a position should openings be available upon graduating.
Clinical Workshops at a glance
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, PLUS:
- Use real-word, on-road medical and patient transport equipment
- Practice how to handle emergency & non-emergency scenarios
- Drive APC’s emergency transport vehicle!
Learning with APC
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.
The course requirements differ depending on which course you undertake.
For the HLT51020 Diploma of Emergency Health Care:
- Complete 17 units of competency
- Attend 2x 5-day clinical workshops
- Experience 160 hours of clinical placement
- All to be completed within 2-years from your intake date (most students complete in 18-24 months)
For the HLT41120 Certificate IV in Health Care:
- Complete 16 units of competency
- Attend a 5-day clinical workshop
- Experience 80 hours of clinical placement
- All to be completed within 18 months from your intake date (most students complete in 12-18 months)
For the HLT31120 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport:
- Complete 13 units of competency
- Attend a 5-day clinical workshop
- All to be completed within 12 months from your intake date (most students complete in 6-12 months)
If you have any questions about the specific requirements of your preferred course, we can cover this during our next call.
The following units will be completed as part of the Diploma course:
- BSBMED301 – Interpret and Apply Medical Terminology Appropriately
- HLTAAP002 – Confirm Physical Health Status
- HLTOUT010 – Communicate in Complex Situations to Support Healthcare
- HLTOUT007 – Transport Non-emergency Patients Under Operational Conditions
- HLTWHS002 – Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
- HLTOUT008 – Manage a Scene
- HLTOUT004 – Assess and Deliver Basic Clinical Care
- HLTOUT001 – Implement Safe Access and Egress
- CHCCCS020 – Respond Effectively to Behaviours of Concern
- HLTOUT005 – Assess and Deliver Standard Clinical Care
- HLTOUT009 – Manage the Scene of a Major Incident
- CHCPRP003 – Reflect On and Improve Own Professional Practice
- BSBFLM303 – Contribute to Effective Workplace Relationships
- CHCLEG001 – Work Legally and Ethically
- CHCDIV001 – Work with Diverse People
- HLTWHS006 – Manage Personal Stressors in the Work Environment
- HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
The following units will be completed as part of the Cert IV course:
- BSBMED301 – Interpret and Apply Medical Terminology Appropriately
- HLTAAP002 – Confirm Physical Health Status
- HLTOUT010 – Communicate in Complex Situations to Support Healthcare
- HLTOUT007 – Transport Non-emergency Patients Under Operational Conditions
- HLTWHS005 – Conduct Manual Tasks Safely
- HLTWHS002 – Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
- HLTOUT008 – Manage a Scene
- HLTOUT004 – Assess and Deliver Basic Clinical Care
- HLTOUT001 – Implement Safe Access and Egress
- CHCCCS020 – Respond Effectively to Behaviours of Concern
- CHCPRP003 – Reflect On and Improve Own Professional Practice
- BSBFLM303 – Contribute to Effective Workplace Relationships
- CHCLEG001 – Work Legally and Ethically
- CHCDIV001 – Work with Diverse People
- HLTWHS006 – Manage Personal Stressors in the Work Environment
- HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
The following units will be completed as part of the Cert III course:
- BSBMED301 – Interpret and Apply Medical Terminology Appropriately
- HLTAAP001 – Recognise Healthy Body Systems
- HLTOUT010 – Communicate in Complex Situations to Support Healthcare
- HLTOUT007 – Transport Non-emergency Patients Under Operational Conditions
- HLTWHS002 – Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
- HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
- HLTOUT001 – Implement Safe Access and Egress
- HLTAID014 – Provide Advanced First Aid
- HLTWHS005 – Conduct Manual Tasks Safely
- HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy
- CHCDIV001 – Work with Diverse People
- HLTWHS006 – Manage Personal Stressors in the Work Environment
- HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- Flexible online learning to suit your lifestyle – You’re busy, and your daily schedule can be unpredictable, so APC’s multi-format online learning can be done in your own time. In saying that, many students find it helpful to have milestones to aim for, so we’ll also provide a training plan with suggested assessment due dates as a guide to ensure you complete your course within the timeframe.
- Dedicated support when you need it – We know everyone needs support sometimes, whether it’s motivational or academic. Rest assured that you’ll have all the support you need to succeed. APC has a team of experienced Trainers and an extensive Student Support team available by phone, video chat and email. You’ll also join a vibrant student community on our private student forum, where you will build a network of like-minded people with the same goals as you.
- In-person clinical workshops to hone your skills – Practice, practice, practice! As you know, emergency healthcare is a hands-on job – which is what makes it great! APC holds in-person workshops regularly across Australia. However, due to the self-paced nature of study, some students may need to travel interstate to attend workshops based on their own rate of progression.
- Real-world Clinical Placements – In the second half of your course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to experience the real job! APC has unique industry partnerships, as well as a dedicated placements coordinator to help you find the right host organisation if you need help.
We’re excited to support you in your decision to start studying Pre-hospital Emergency Health Care and are here to help you with the enrolment process from beginning to end!
What are the next steps?
Your suitability and eligibility will be confirmed for your preferred course before you get started on the enrolment process.
From there, you can expect to;
- Complete an application form
- Discuss your payment options and make a deposit to secure your enrolment
- Undertake any relevant pre-intake checks including a short quiz to check your Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills
- Lastly, complete a medical declaration to ensure you’re ready to study
Our friendly team is here to help answer any questions you have along the way, and make sure you’re comfortable before finalising your APC enrolment.
APC is committed to ensuring fair and reasonable refund practices for all our students.
You can read our full Refund Policy here.
What happens next?
Take some time to digest this information and on your next scheduled call, we will discuss a plan to suit your career goals.
Our priority is for you to have all the information you need
so don’t forget, we are here to answer all of your questions.
Looking forward to speaking with you again soon!