Australian residents
International students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 82.10
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
St Albans
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
20 February 2023
Application due dates:
View How to apply
Apply

Overview

Begin a challenging and rewarding career as a paramedic with a Bachelor of Paramedicine from VU.

Gain the skills, knowledge and techniques to treat patients in out-of-hospital care. You'll graduate from the Bachelor of Paramedicine able to manage all aspects of the needs of paramedic patients (physical, psychological, social).

This course will prepare you to be sensitive to issues in diverse communities and treat patients accordingly.

Our paramedicine degree is held in very high regard in the industry for its hands-on approach. You will learn through practical scenarios and clinical placements, and also gain a solid understanding of theory.

VU graduates are compassionate and highly capable professionals. Studying at VU will prepare you for the real world of emergency health.

A key part of your paramedic course will be spending time in ambulances, observing and assisting as part of your paramedic clinical placements.

You will gain direct practical experience as a real paramedic under a clinical supervisor within Ambulance Victoria. These placements will provide you with confidence and a competitive advantage in the workforce.

Some of your 360 hours clinical-placement experience will be completed in a high-fidelity simulation suite.

In our labs, you can practise your new skills in a safe environment. You'll learn through simulation scenarios through role play, acting out realistic emergency responses.

Our strong partnership with Ambulance Victoria keeps our teaching methods up-to-date and relevant.

Our state-of-the-art facilities include:

  • clinical practice rooms
  • self-directed learning laboratories
  • life-like mannequin technology
  • simulation suites.

Registration

We will provide your details to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) shortly after the census date.

Following this, to attend clinical placement, you need to apply to register with AHPRA and provide your registration number to the VU clinical learning office.

When you enrol, please read the AHPRA registration eligibility requirements and send them any queries.

Immunisation

You need to be immunised in order to attend clinical placement. We encourage you to begin your immunisation schedule with your doctor once you receive your course offer to avoid delays to your studies.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back
Practical learning - paramedicine - Transcript

Hear from Dilan, Bachelor of Paramedicine student, about VU's Block Model.

Dilan's experience with VU's Block Model - Transcript

Careers in paramedicine

Working as a paramedic is demanding but rewarding. Paramedicine is a competitive sector. VU graduates have the practical skills, knowledge and personal attributes to gain employment in this field.

Potential employers include:

  • ambulance services worldwide
  • rural and remote paramedic practice
  • non-emergency patient transport.

Check employment growth rates for ambulance officers and paramedics, via Labour Market Insights. You’ll also have work opportunities interstate and overseas. Many of our graduates have secured positions in countries such as the United Kingdom.

Example job titles include:

  • paramedic
  • air ambulance paramedic
  • ambulance community officer
  • clinical instructor
  • MICA paramedic.

Salary for paramedics

Check the average annual salary of an ambulance officer or paramedic in Australia, via Labour Market Insights.

 

The calm among the crisis

The calm among the crisis

Paramedicine student Sarah Maclure’s hands-on training helped prepare her to save lives when she least expected it.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

Ambulance Authorities Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities. A Bachelor of Paramedicine from an accredited university is the only qualification accepted by Ambulance Victoria.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to join Paramedics Australasia, the peak professional association representing paramedic practitioners.

Course structure

For 2022 and 2023:
To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine, students will be required to complete:

  • 288 credit points of Core units.

From 2024:
To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine, students will be required to complete:

  • 276 credit points of Core studies;
  • 12 credit points of Electives.

COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2022

First Year Core units

Year Two

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Three

Semester 1

Semester 2

COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2023

First Year Core units

Year Two

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Three

Semester 1

Semester 2

COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2024

First Year Core units

Year Two

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Three

Semester 1

Plus 12 credit points of Electives

Semester 2

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Exhibit professional, ethical, person-centred and culturally responsive out-of-hospital care across diverse health populations and settings consistent with the Paramedicine Board's (AHPRA) standards of practice;  
  2. Exemplify critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to safely, effectively and holistically provide person-centred, evidence-based assessment and management of patients across the lifespan;  
  3. Exhibit advanced communication and collaboration skills when working with patients, families, other health professionals and agencies within the healthcare setting;  
  4. Critically reflect on and learn from practice, recognising the need for self-care strategies and life long professional learning and development;  
  5. Exemplify effective leadership and mentoring skills within relevant clinical and professional frameworks;  
  6. Assess and manage risk to the paramedic, patient and others by performing effectively and safely in line with legal and regulatory obligations and requirements; and  
  7. Exemplify culturally safe, capable and responsive practice, value diversity among peoples and engage in inclusive practices that promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and culturally diverse communities.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 25 in Biology, Chemistry, English other than EAL, Health And Human Development, any Mathematics, Physics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

ATAR profile

VU course code: HBPD

VTAC course code: 4301343031

Campus: St Albans

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Paramedicine.
  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors)		 Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer 92.65 98.50
Median rank to receive an offer 75.32 89.57
Lowest rank to receive an offer 62.90 82.10

 

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport.
PLUS:
Three years (minimum) work/life experience in Health Sciences of similar.
AND:
Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
AND:
Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

Students are required to be able to satisfy the safe practice requirements set by the clinical placement provider prior to commencing the second year of study and are required to maintain the currency of the safe practice requirements for the full duration of their course. Note, some requirements need to be renewed prior to the commencement of each of the third year.

Current requirements are:

· Working with Children Check
· Annual National Police check (Fit2Work)
. Infection control - donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
· Medical Report (InjuryNET)
· Physical Report (InjuryNET)
· Mask Fit Testing
· Clinical Placement Provider Student Undertaking Form
· VU Declaration of Acceptance of Work Integrated Learning/Clinical Placement Terms and Conditions

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Emergency Health Care HLT51020

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 20 February 2023

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply through VTAC

Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are applying for more than one course
  • you are completing Year 12 in 2022
  • you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2023

VTAC course code: 4301343031

VTAC timely applications are due 29 September 2022.

Apply via VTAC

Special Entry Access Scheme

You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.

Apply direct to VU

Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are a current VU student
  • you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2022

Direct applications are due on 12 February 2023 for our next intake which starts on 20 February 2023.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

Information marked with an asterisk "*" is required.

Refer to our privacy policy and data collection notification statement for more information.

Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.