Becoming a Paramedic in Victoria: Choose Your Pathway

Choose Your Pathway to Becoming a Paramedic in Victoria

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.

Ambulance Paramedic – the Graduate Pathway

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;

Ambulance Paramedic Employment Pre-requisites

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.

Alternate Pathways

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;

  • Human Body Systems – Anatomy and Physiology 1 
  • Human Body Systems – Anatomy and Physiology 2
  • Skills in Paramedical Practice 1
  • Skills in Paramedical Practice 2
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 1
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 2 
  • Foundations and Principles of Paramedic Science
  • Foundations of Professional Paramedic Practice
  • Systems Physiology 
  • Australian Health and Social Care Systems and Policy 
  • Cultural Studies 
  • Pre-hospital Ethical and Legal Issues 
  • Principles of Drug Actions For Health Professionals

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.