What career paths are available as a paramedic? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paramedics work almost anywhere. You could be providing critical care on a rescue flight, delivering a baby in the back of an ambulance or helping someone after a fall in their garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a rapid progression in the types of paramedic roles over the past 15 to 20 years,\u201d Derek says. \u201cMany people think paramedics only work in emergency ambulances, but across Australia, about a third don\u2019t. And within WA, it\u2019s probably closer to 50%.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialist opportunities are growing, particularly in mental health and primary care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a paramedic today, you might run a clinic on an oil rig or mine site, provide mental health support, lead training or cover emergencies on industrial sites. In New Zealand, many of my colleagues now work in urgent care clinics, and I think that could become a reality in Australia, too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some examples of the diverse careers available in paramedicine: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- ambulance paramedic \ud83d\ude91 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- flight paramedic \ud83d\ude81 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- rural or remote paramedic \ud83c\udf0f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- disaster response paramedic \ud83c\udf2a\ufe0f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- paramedic educator \ud83c\udf93 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- critical care transport paramedic \ud83e\ude7a <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- primary health care paramedic \ud83e\uddd1\u200d\u2695\ufe0f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- event\/entertainment paramedic \ud83c\udfa5 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- maritime paramedic \u2693 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- humanitarian paramedic \ud83c\udf0d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- firefighter paramedic \ud83e\uddef <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- research paramedic \ud83e\uddea <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- mental health response paramedic \ud83e\udde0 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- tactical paramedic \ud83d\ude93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For Derek, the appeal is in the variety: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEarly on, I trained the New Zealand Fire Service and Coast Guard in advanced First Aid. During my Honours year, I started sessional teaching. Now I teach, work on my PhD and practise as a paramedic \u2013 I really enjoy the mix.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s it really like to work as a paramedic? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rescuing farmers pinned under quad bikes, performing CPR on a boat and working in tricky terrain are all part of Derek\u2019s experience. But he says the most rewarding moments aren\u2019t the dramatic ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done some huge \u2018once-in-a-career’ jobs \u2013 many times. I\u2019ve had big dramas, looked after really unwell patients … and while those jobs can be satisfying because you use a lot of your clinical skills, or do something a bit fancy like pull out of a helicopter, they aren\u2019t the ones that stick with me. The jobs that leave me the most satisfied are where I get to spend time with someone, have a conversation, and feel like I\u2019ve made a difference.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
And when it comes to delivering babies? Derek admits most paramedics are nervous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done a couple of births and, like most paramedics, I\u2019m terrified! We\u2019re always happy for the midwives to show up. But we\u2019re well trained, and every year we attend birthing education as part of professional development.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these dramatic moments, Derek says much of a paramedic\u2019s day is shaped by routine and preparation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs an ambulance paramedic, shifts start in a similar way, by ensuring your vehicle is stocked and ready,\u201d he explains. \u201cYou\u2019ll run tests on the defibrillator, make sure the oxygen is full, then log on and see what calls are waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ambulance-edit.jpg\")
Curtin’s “Simbulance”: a mobile training vehicle for paramedic students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n One of the unique aspects of the role, Derek says, is caring for one patient at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re waiting for a hospital bed, we stay with our patient \u2013 whether that\u2019s for half an hour or several hours \u2013 until a care plan is in place. Once that\u2019s done, we clear from the job and become available for the next call.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Shifts can include nights, weekends and public holidays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI primarily work day shifts and early shifts,\u201d Derek says. \u201cBut if you\u2019re on a late or night shift, you might take over from an ambulance crew at the hospital. Sometimes, they\u2019ll be waiting on a bed for their patient, known as ramping, so we step in. We call that \u2019rolling ramping\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is there demand for paramedics in Australia? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes \u2014 and it\u2019s growing. In 2025, there are 28,100 paramedics employed across the country, with annual employment growth of around 7%, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With an ageing population and expanding communities, both state ambulance services and private providers are seeking more trained professionals, especially in rural and remote regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Derek has noticed the difference: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c<\/em>When I first started, you could log on and not know if you were getting a job straight away or in three hours. Now it\u2019s predictably busy \u2014 most of the time there\u2019s a job waiting immediately.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re considering paramedicine, it\u2019s an exciting time to join a profession with strong career prospects, meaningful work and opportunities to make a genuine difference in people\u2019s lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much do paramedics earn in Australia? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paramedic salaries vary by state, experience and role. As a graduate, you can expect to earn a starting base salary around $65,000 to $75,000 per year, plus additional pay for overtime, shiftwork and regional postings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPenalties associated with shiftwork can make up nearly a third of your income,\u201d Derek says. \u201cAs a graduate paramedic, your starting salary could be close to 100k.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Seek<\/a>, the average annual salary for paramedics in Perth is between $110,000 and $125,000, plus penalties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you become a paramedic in Australia? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To become a qualified registered paramedic in Australia, you’ll usually need to complete an accredited Bachelor of Paramedicine or a similar degree. For the most current information on qualifications and registration requirements, visit the Paramedicine Board of Australia<\/a> website.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long does it take to become a paramedic? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Bachelor of Paramedicine<\/a> typically takes three years of full-time study. After graduating, you\u2019ll apply for registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Once registered, you can apply for roles with ambulance services, private providers or in specialist fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working as a paramedic in Western Australia <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you’re planning to work as a paramedic in Western Australia, you\u2019ll need to complete a degree, such as Curtin’s Bachelor of Science (Paramedicine)<\/a>*. This specialised course equips you with the skills, practical experience and clinical knowledge to work as a paramedic both in Australia and overseas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA big focus of Curtin\u2019s paramedicine course is face-to-face learning. We offer weekly laboratories so our students can practise their clinical skills regularly. Each semester is followed by a block placement in a different setting \u2013 aged care, primary care, mental health and ambulance. We really aim for students to experience working where paramedics work, and in my experience, that\u2019s everywhere.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
One of the highlights of the course is the \u2018simbulance\u2019, Curtin\u2019s simulated ambulance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Curtin's](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SP-20250414-0487-1000x500.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThe simbulance is really a mobile classroom,\u201d Derek says. \u201cWe use it to teach students how to move patients from a scene to a vehicle, across different surfaces, handling and moving patients when they\u2019re on a chair or a stretcher, and navigating stairs and busy roads. We also take it to the Juniper simulation suite, which is set up like someone\u2019s home, so students can practice in realistic environments.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SP-20250414-0432-edited2-2-1000x500.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n