Bachelor of Paramedicine/ Paramedic Science degree

A Bachelor of Paramedicine (also called a Bachelor of Paramedic Science) is the university qualification required to become a registered paramedic in Australia. While APC does not deliver the degree, our nationally recognised training can provide an effective pathway into university, help you build foundational clinical skills, and give you a head start before you begin your bachelor.

If your long-term goal is to work on-road as a paramedic, this guide breaks down everything you need to know – entry requirements, how long it takes, career prospects, and how APC can help you start your journey faster.

What Is a Bachelor of Paramedicine?

The Bachelor of Paramedicine is a university-level qualification (AQF 7) that prepares students for careers as registered paramedics. It combines clinical science, emergency medical care, patient assessment, trauma management, and extensive clinical placements with state ambulance services.

Graduates can apply for registration with the Paramedic Registration Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

It is the only qualification that allows you to work as a registered paramedic in Australia.

Who Is the Bachelor of Paramedicine For?

This degree is ideal for people who:

  • Want a career as a registered on-road paramedic
  • Enjoy high-pressure, high-impact work
  • Are interested in emergency health, anatomy, and patient care
  • Want a role with long-term job security and career advancement
  • Prefer a structured, academic learning pathway
  • Want to work for state ambulance services

If you’re not ready to commit to university yet, APC’s courses are a practical way to begin building skills and confidence while keeping your options open.

How Long Does the Bachelor of Paramedicine Take?

Most Australian universities offer the degree as a 3-year full-time program.
Some also offer part-time or online/blended study options, depending on the state.

Clinical placement hours range from 300 to 2,000+, depending on the university and state ambulance service requirements.

Entry Requirements for the Bachelor of Paramedicine

Entry requirements differ between universities, but commonly include:

Academic Requirements

  • ATAR (up to 95 depending on the uni)
  • Completion of Year 12 English
  • Sometimes Year 12 Biology, Chemistry or Maths

Alternative Entry Pathways

If you don’t meet ATAR requirements, you may qualify through:

Hundreds of APC students use our Diploma as a stepping-stone into paramedicine degrees each year.

What You’ll Study in a Paramedicine Degree

While each university varies, core units generally include:

  • Anatomy & physiology
  • Clinical assessment
  • Trauma and emergency response
  • Pharmacology
  • Mental health
  • Cardiac care
  • Paediatrics
  • Respiratory emergencies
  • Road crash rescue theory
  • Professional practice and ethics

Practical training is delivered through simulation labs and on-road clinical placements.

What Does a Paramedic Do?

Paramedics respond to medical emergencies, assess and treat patients, and deliver life-saving interventions in pre-hospital environments.

Typical duties include:

  • Responding to triple-zero (000) calls
  • Managing trauma and medical emergencies
  • Administering medications
  • Monitoring vital signs
  • Performing advanced life support
  • Transporting patients to hospitals
  • Working with police, fire, rescue, and hospital teams

Where Paramedics Can Work

While most graduates aim for state ambulance services, there are multiple other career paths, including:

  • Private ambulance and emergency response companies
  • Mining and remote healthcare
  • Event medical teams
  • Industrial and construction sites
  • Defence and government agencies
  • Telehealth and clinical coordination roles
  • International aid and emergency response organisations

The demand for skilled emergency health professionals continues to grow across Australia.

APC as a Pathway Into the Bachelor of Paramedicine

APC does not offer the bachelor degree – however, our emergency health courses give students:

A recognised pathway

APC’s HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care has helped students gain entry into universities across Australia.

Stronger clinical skills before uni starts

You’ll learn:

  • Patient assessment
  • Airway management
  • Trauma response
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Working in pre-hospital environments

Many APC graduates report feeling significantly more prepared than first-year students entering straight from high school.

A faster way to start working in emergency care

While studying your Diploma, and upon graduation, you may be able to work in roles such as:

  1. Event medic
  2. Patient transport officer
  3. First responder (private sector)
  4. Industrial medic (depending on employer requirements)
  5. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

This gives you real experience before (or while) attending university.

Why Choose APC as Your Starting Point?

  • Flexible online learning designed for busy adults
  • Nationwide clinical workshops
  • Industry-aligned curriculum
  • Nationally recognised qualifications
  • Pathway opportunities at universities across Australia
  • Start sooner and build confidence early

APC has trained over 6,000+ students across Australia and New Zealand, with many progressing into Bachelor of Paramedicine programs.

Start Your Paramedic Pathway with APC

If your goal is to become a registered paramedic, APC can help you take the first step with practical, nationally recognised emergency health training.

Explore our most popular uni pathway course:
HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care

Take your first step toward a career in paramedicine today.

What is your career journey?

To discover how you can become a fully qualified Ambulance Paramedic or Basic/Advanced Life Support Medic, complete a personalised paramedical career development plan.