Australian residents
International students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 70.7
*Offers made in 2019. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
St Albans
Delivery mode: 
Blended
Face to Face
Workplace
Application due dates:
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Register your interest

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.

Practical learning - paramedicine - 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.

Employment for ambulance officers and paramedics to 2020 is expected to grow strongly (Job Outlook). 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

A first year paramedic in Victoria can expect a salary of $58,348. (PayScale).

Although it varies by state, the average annual salary of an ambulance officer or paramedic in Australia is $71,708 (JobOutlook).

 

The calm among the crisis

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

Read more

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

To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 48 credit points of Core College studies;
  • 240 credit points of Core Paramedic studies;

Students will have the opportunity to complete two (2) specialist units in third year, as follows:

  • 24 credit points of Specialist Paramedic studies.

In the final third year, Students will have the option of completing HHB2301 Health Promotion, HFB3136 Career and Professional Development or HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture in Semester 1, AND HHB2402 Health Program, Planning and Evaluation, HFB3136 Career and Professional Development, HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture or HIP3001 Interprofessional Practice in Semester 2.

First Year Core units

Year 2

Semester 1:

Semester 2:

Year 3

Semester 1:

Select 12 credit points (equivalent to one unit) from the following:

Or

Semester 2:

Select 12 credit points (equivalent to one unit) from the following:

Or

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. Analyse, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and members of the community undergoing paramedic assessment, treatment and transport, and apply problem solving skills when planning and implementing out-of-hospital care;  
  2. Perform effective evidence based paramedic skills and techniques within paramedic protocols and apply paramedic knowledge necessary for safe, efficient and effective practice within paramedic environments;  
  3. Interpret the paramedic needs of patients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an integrated holistic approach of evidence based paramedic practice;  
  4. Perform effectively and safely as an independent person and as a member of a health care team in paramedic environments;  
  5. Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and predict and respond effectively to such issues when providing paramedic practice;  
  6. Critically review current research and evidence based developments in paramedic practice and evaluate their implications for paramedics and the profession.  

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

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re a Commonwealth supported student or full-fee paying.

If you enrol in a:

To calculate the total cost of your course:

  1. Select which units you’d like to study.
  2. Look up the individual unit costs in the higher education unit of study fees list.
  3. Add up the relevant amounts.

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.

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

ATAR [and Selection Rank] profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in 2019.

  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors) *		 Selection rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
Highest rank to receive an offer 97.85 99.75
Median rank to receive an offer 67.95 81.2
Lowest rank to receive an offer 58.55 70.7

* “<5” – indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made
N/P - No ATAR Profile available for this course due to the limited amount of data available.
RC – A range of criteria in addition to the ATAR was used for selection (e.g. test, interview).

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

Police check: Students must complete an annual National Police Check prior to undertaking placements.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking placements. Students choosing the unit, HHB2402 Health Program Planning and Evaluation, may be required to obtain a ‘Working With Children Check’ prior to undertaking the unit.

Health status: Students must be prepared to declare their fitness for practice, immunisation status and serology reports annually.

Need help?

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 Paramedical Science

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

International Foundations at VU

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended)

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

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 coordinator or academic adviser.

How to apply

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Paramedicine courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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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.