How to become a Paramedic

Assesses, diagnoses, treats and provides specialised health care and life support treatment for patients in a range of settings, including medical emergencies, in an out-of-hospital environment.

Main tasks

• Attends accidents and medical emergencies
• Assesses, manages, diagnoses and treats patients with life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries and conditions, on site and on the way to the hospital
• Documents and provides medication to assist in treating patient symptoms
• Prepares reports on the state of patients' injuries and treatment provided
• Briefs other medical staff on patients' conditions and vitals
• Performs resuscitation and uses life support equipment such as a defibrillator, to revive and stabilise patients
• May transport sick and injured patients to health care facilities
• May attend public gatherings where medical help may be needed, such as sporting or community events

Ways in

• University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Basic Health Care (HLT31220); Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (HLT31120); Certificate IV in Health Care (HLT41120); Diploma of Emergency Health Care (HLT51020)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $148,304 a year
• About 28,200 people work in this job group now, and about 34,500 are projected by 2035. (+22.6%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Critical Care Paramedic
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Prosthetist
• Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
• Dental Specialist
• Dentist

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Paramedic?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees; Certificate III in Basic Health Care; Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport.

How much does a Paramedic earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $148,304 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Paramedic a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 28,200 to about 34,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Paramedic?

Usually. 66% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Paramedic?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04