Become a paramedic

What being a paramedic involves

Being an Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedic is a challenging and rewarding career that goes beyond the lights and sirens. Paramedics respond to both emergency and non-emergency situations. They provide out-of-hospital care to patients with a wide range of conditions or injuries and determine the most appropriate referral or transportation.

Paramedics must think clearly under stress, remain calm under pressure, and are driven by a strong desire to help people. Paramedics work a rotating roster that covers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

View paramedic vacancies

Day in the life of a paramedic

On any given day, a paramedic may:

• Attend medical emergencies and accidents that may require advanced life support.
• Assess and manage patients and provide treatment both at the scene and on the way to hospital.
• Perform clinical skills such as intravenous cannulation, administration of pain-relieving medications, fluid therapy, and advanced airway management.
• Perform manual handling.
• Assist patients onto stretchers, load them into the ambulance, and transport to the most appropriate medical facility.
• Prepare written reports on patients and the treatment provided.
• Perform daily vehicle and equipment checks, making sure that ambulances and medical supplies are stocked and that equipment is working properly.
• Attend public gatherings such as community events where medical help might be needed, like sporting events or festivals.

What it takes to be a paramedic

There are some key skills you need to be a good paramedic:

• A caring and empathetic nature.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The ability to stay calm, think clearly and act quickly in high-pressure situations.
• Teamwork and self-reliance.
• Adaptability and resilience to handle various challenges.
• The ability to follow instructions and guidelines.
• Good levels of health and physical fitness.

Become a paramedic

If you would like to join AV as a paramedic, you must have the suitable qualification including:

• A recognised paramedicine qualification.
• Suitable experience.
• Be registered with the Paramedicine Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Benefits of joining Ambulance Victoria

Ambulance Victoria is a rewarding place to work. If you become one of our paramedics you can expect:

• A professional working environment with a focus on work/life balance.
• Cultural change initiatives for continuous improvement.
• Salary packaging and defined benefits superannuation.
• Supported career growth.

What we're looking for

• Talented, passionate individuals who value teamwork.
• Highly developed communication skills (fluent in verbal and written English).
• Good health and fitness.
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly.
• Clear decision-making and judgement skills.
• Adaptability and resilience.
• A high level of safety awareness and compliance.

Register your interest

If you’re interested in a meaningful career where you can make a difference, we want to hear from you. Here’s how to register your interest.

• Visit the Paramedic Careers page and begin your application online.
• Once you have registered your details, you will receive an email requesting that you submit scanned certified copies of the following documents before your application is assessed:
  • National Police Certificate issued by the AFP, State Police Service, or an accredited organisation with ACIC.
  • Driving History Report, including statement of demerit points and convictions for each state / territory or country you have resided in for the last 5 years.
• Proof of right to work in Australia such as a birth certificate, Visa, or passport.
• Front and back copy of your driver's license.
• Academic Transcript of a Paramedicine Board recognised qualification.
  • For Graduate Paramedic applications only.
  • An academic transcript is an official record of your studies, issued by your university. We do not accept unofficial transcripts. If you have completed your studies, this record will include confirmation that you have met the requirements to graduate.
• Proof of Paramedic Registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia.
  • Visit Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for details on how to register.

Next steps:

• Once submitted, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your documentation.
• Please be advised you may be requested to provide additional or supporting documentation during this process, this can delay your progression.
• You will be contacted in due course to advise of further assessments:
  • Psychological test.
  • Interview/Assessment centre.
  • Drug and alcohol testing.
  • Medical and physical testing.

Upon successful completion of all criteria and testing you will be placed on the Order of Merit, which is the final step before potentially being offered employment as a Graduate Paramedic. Your spot on the order of merit is valid for 12 months. If in 12 months you are not offered a graduate position, you will be required to undertake the application process again.

Further queries

For all recruitment queries, please email GAPRecruitment@ambulance.vic.gov.au.

Please note the recruitment process is competitive. Paramedic intakes are dependent on operational demand and occur on an as-needs basis. The process may take up to 12 to 18 months to proceed to the order of merit.

Your medical assessment results are valid for 12 months from date of assessment. If they expire during the recruitment process, you will be notified by recruitment and you will be required to complete a new medical.

Ambulance Victoria is an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island candidates, as well as from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Work experience at Ambulance Victoria

Unfortunately, due to occupational health and safety rules along with privacy requirements, AV is unable to offer student work experience, work placement and study electives or observer opportunities both for local and International students. This includes both on road and corporate offices.

While we cannot accomodate work experience requests, AV does regularly attend Career Expos held annually at various venues.

Career Expos are a good opportunity where students can:

• View the inside of an ambulance (where available).
• Chat with current paramedics for a personal perspective of what it is like to be a paramedic.
• Chat with the AV Recruitment & Selection team who can answer questions about the paramedic recruitment process and other non-paramedic employment opportunities that Ambulance Victoria may offer.

Attendance at Career Expos can change yearly so feel free to email recruitment@ambulance.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window) to request the list of careers expos AV will be attending this year.