There are essentially two pathways to becoming an Ambulance Paramedic in Victoria. We have detailed these two pathways for you below so that all you need to do is determine which option is best suited to your situation.
The paramedic profession in Australia changed in late 2018. Legislation was passed to bring the industry into line with other health care professions. Students currently studying paramedical theory must choose a recognised university that has been approved by the Council of Ambulance Authorities Inc.
The Bachelor degree will open up many employment opportunities in the paramedical sector. Typically, the full degree takes around three years to complete and can cost anywhere from $55,000 to $65,000+. The University of Tasmania (UTAS) – Bachelor of Paramedic Practice 53A is a 2 year bridging degree, although there are some conditions.
The following is a list of universities offering degrees in paramedical science:
| Course Name | Course Provider | Location |
| Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) | Victoria University | Melbourne, VIC |
| Bachelor Emergency Health (Paramedic) | Monash University | Melbourne, VIC |
| Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) | Monash University | Melbourne, VIC |
| Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine | Ballarat University | Ballarat, VIC |
| Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine | Australian Catholic University | Ballarat, VIC |
| Bachelor of Paramedicine | Australian Catholic University | Melbourne, VIC |
| Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Paramedic Practice | La Trobe University | Bendigo, VIC |
| Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) | Charles Sturt University | Bathurst, NSW |
| Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) | Charles Sturt University | Bathurst, NSW |
| Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) | Flinders University | Adelaide, SA |
| Bachelor of Paramedic Science | CQUniveristy | Rockhampton, QLD |
| Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) | Queensland University of Technology | Brisbane, QLD |
| Bachelor of Paramedic Science | University of the Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast, QLD |
| Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) | Edith Cowan University | Perth, WA |
| Bachelor of Paramedic Practice | University of Tasmania | Tasmania and NSW |
| Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) | Auckland University of Technology | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) | Whitireia Community Polytechnic | Wellington, New Zealand |
The Australian Paramedical College is proud to be associated with the following universities who have accepted our Diploma graduates into the degree program;
To be eligible to work as an Ambulance Paramedic, you need a Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree. Paramedics also are required to be registered with the Paramedicine Board of Australia and AHPRA.
One of the most popular pathways is to complete the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care, then apply to a university to complete the degree. The benefits to this are, you can keep in working in your current job and keep on earning. Blended learning means there’s no interruption to your existing lifestyle; and when you get to the end of the Diploma, you’re ready to make the transition into university.
Many universities offer credits towards the degree (usually around 30%) because the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care is highly recognised and is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 5 qualification.
Each university has a slightly different course structure and the subjects can vary.
As a guide, the following Bachelor of Paramedic Science course/subjects were awarded to APC Diploma graduates;