I am currently a lawyer in Sydney and just not enjoying it. Looking at the seniors above me and what their role entails just doesn’t entice me to continue.

I have been volunteering with St John’s and just love it. Getting to be intellectually stimulated in a physical environment is so much more enjoyable than being behind a desk.

I’m wondering if anyone out there has had a similar career backflip and moved from something corporate to paramedicine? What helped you make up your mind? Do you have any regrets?

Hey guys, I'll be studying my bach of paramedicine next year and I was wondering what brands you recommend for a good quality stethoscope? don't worry about price either. If there's a brand that's more pricier than another due to higher quality, please make the suggestion still. Thank you in advance.

Has anyone gone from a high paying corporate gig to becoming a paramedic?

I am 23 in Sydney and get paid very well but want a more active honourable job. I know paramedics and they all love their jobs. Am I stupid for wanting this?

Is there a high demand for paramedics in NSW or for nurses? I originally thought paramedics would be more in demand just as nursing but according to what I’ve read on reddit, nurses are more in demand and there’s hardly any jobs for paramedics? Why’s that though? And how is there hardly any degrees for paramedicine?

Ok for context- my girlfriend is Australian and is moving back there. I’m gonna start paramedic school in January in the US. Once I’m done with paramedic school in the US are there job options for paramedics that hold a US certification? I would like to move there with her but if I have no possibility of getting hired there without going through paramedic school all over again I don’t think I’ll go- just looking for advice from Australian medics- thanks guys!!!

Hi folks,

I'm living Brisbane and seriously looking into change my career to paramedic. The only thing that I am being hesitate to enrol the courses is my age, I'm 46 this year and will be sat at 49 if I successfully achieved the paramedicine degree. I'm physically tall and strong and has no issue to handle knowledges, shift work or even harder, I personally and strongly believe that I am able to afford paramedic's duty adequatly if assigned. (I cannot swim though) However, I haven't seen any frontline paramedic who is in near my age I'm afraid, that puts me into doubting.

It would be very grateful if I could hear your opinion. All my respect to those life saviors.

If we could make a drone that could remotely do lift assists I would be so thrilled. Or one with a tranquiliser gun attachment.

What other uses would you like to see drones used for in our field?

Hey guys, wondering if anyone here has recently applied for ACTAS (ACT ambulance service) and what the process was like?

I am registered with AHPRA and looking into making a move and I’ve seen the roster and I’m pretty keen on it for better work life balance.

Is it actually better or is it something they’re just selling to get more staff?

I'm joining a crew for a shift to observe how everything is done. This is the final stage in applying for a fully paid EMT training programme that transitions straight into full time employment.

My current plan is to keep out of the way, save my questions for downtime, and pay attention to my demeanour and body language to avoid upsetting (?) patients. What are some experience you guys had on your first ride alongs?

I just saw that there aren’t many places offering bachelor of paramed. That too, the locations are few and most require relocation. Some of them aren’t even clear enough.

You’d think that with the demand of paramedics - having enough paramedics for 24/7 shifts all year round, would prompt more course offerings but I’m just so confused. It seems that you can only become a paramed by doing a bachelors degree in it - OR a masters and even with masters I feel unsure. And masters offerings are few also. Since you need a DEGREE and certifications aren’t enough.

Is there something I’m missing? It doesn’t make sense that the demand for the course could be small…or something? You need paramedics everywhere, so how are these people getting trained?

Hi everyone I’m doing a bachelor of health science at wsu and want to transfer to paramedicine in 2026. Can any existing or previous paramed students advise if the course is hard to get into? What gpa or marks did you have to get into it? Thanks in advance

Caffeine gives me panic attacks so I normally just ride out the tiredness. Anyone here have any good tips? Caffeine isn’t an option for me.

Hey everyone,

I'm a third year student, and we had a big chat about this the other day.

Off the bat, our DTPs (Queensland Ambulance Service) only indicate us for ondansetron when there is nausea, there is no mention of prophylaxis at all.

The scenario we had was a stroke patient, who is NOT complaining of nausea, but has a rapidly declining GCS and motor response. While they were still able to respond to me, I checked my ondansetron contras and asked if they would like some (person running the scenario answered yes on behalf of the mannquein), and gave 8mg. Afterwards the group was sort of divided if that was the correct call to make.

I think I was caught up in the moment and sort of quickly rationalised my decision in that I don't want the patient to vomit and aspirate with a declined GCS, and I can't ventilate them due to an airway blockage. At the same time though, I fully acknowledge that I'm not indicated to administer ondasetron in that situation. I don't want to be seen as some hotshot who thinks he's a doctor and breaking the DTPs.

Am I overthinking this, or is this an example from where practice differs from classroom expectation. What do you guys think?

Hi everyone, I have (surprisingly) passed all assessments and I have an upcoming Group activity day I have to pass before I am reviewed to receive a panel interview, has anyone done this group activity?

I work great in a group but I would love to be as prepared as I can be!

Thanking you kindly!

I’m a 23 and I was wondering what pathways people used to get to being a paramedic, I think I missed uni applications this year anyway but I’ve scheduled some calls with Australian paramedical college and I was wondering if anyone has gone through them before or if there was other ways people have used just in case?

Just found out that I got the BHP Scholarship to study a Diploma of Emergency Healthcare with the Australian Paramedical College, I was over the moon but I’ve seen fair few comments now that the APC aren’t reliable and are a waste of time 😭 Now I have no idea what to do please help! I’m from the Hunter Valley NSW.

Just wanted to ask, I got a tattoo a while ago of ghost face on my arm, would that be considered and inappropriate tattoo if i wanted to join NSW ambulance? Are long sleeves an alternative if they have to be covered?

Thanks

Any one recently been offered a Grad Position with AV in 2025? If so; when did you get on the OOM!

Any insights to Recruitment 2025 would be very appreciated! (Yes, I know recruitment is unpredictable)

Being a Paramedic in WA

Hi! I’m a Year 12 student in Perth and i’m really interested in studying a bachelor of Paramedicine next year- I just wanted to know if anyone who is currently a paramedic in Perth, or anywhere in Australia really, could give me some insight as to what the day to day life looks like as a paramedic, as well as insight into job availability and what salaries look like, best universities I also am really interested in what the hours/rosters are like, if jobs are only available through St. John’s or if there are other employers, and most importantly, if other Paramedics would recommend becoming a Paramedic.

Even if you aren’t in Australia I’d love to hear what being a Paramedic is like!

Thank you so much!

i’m entering my last year of highschool and plan on going into a degree of paramedicine. my main worry is getting piercings i’ll end up taking out as soon as i hit placement because i can’t have them in the workforce.

i want a septum, eyebrow, and potential labret piercing - none of which interfere with masks so i’m not sure if i should be concerned.

as for tattoos, i dont plan on getting any skulls and such but i do plan on getting my arms done to a point where you can see them out of long sleeves. tattoos definitely have less taboo around them in the workforce force than before i believe, but would this be a problem in the field?

does anyone in the work force make any compromises to make it work ? (fake sleeves, plastic piercings etc etc)

not actually working yet but i want to know what to expect :)) thanks!

Can any past or present students provide advice on how to overturn a medically unfit decision for student placement?

I didn't meet the BMI requirements, I'm fairly short, with broad shoulders, slightly overweight but also very muscular, which sadly means my BMI is cooked.

Kinnect didn't really give me any option to appeal the decision. I'm working cutting my body fat % currently sitting at 39. However it is taking a bit longer that expected and even when I at <20% I'm still weighing in with a BMI of 34.

I'm just feeling a bit defeated as I have lost a bunch of weight already. I'm getting old, and this is probably going to one of the last chances I get to study at university, with how the degree is structured if I don't pass medical it is likely have to wait a year before I can even consider placement and progressing to year 2.

I do not have an ATAR or any qualifications. The Australian Paramedical College conned me into enrolling to do a diploma of emergency health care, me thinking I could use it as a pathway when, come to find out, apparently I most likely can’t. I’ll be requesting a refund (thankfully I’m still eligible for one). But what other options do I have to use as a pathway into university? I’m thinking HSC studies through tafe, but is there a better way? I don’t qualify for mature aged entry either as I’m too young. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thank you in advance.