Paramedics in Australia

A paramedic in Australia is a health practitioner who holds registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia as a Registered Paramedic. As of June 2025, there are over 26,600 registered paramedics in Australia, of which approximately 70% (15,750) work for a jurisdictional service such as the Queensland Ambulance Service, and of which 52% of which are female. Most paramedics hold a bachelor's degree, and some may undergo further education in critical care or primary care paramedicine. Only Registered Paramedics may lawfully use the title of "paramedic" in Australia. Other non-paramedic emergency care professionals include emergency medical technicians or first responders, which typically hold vocational and not tertiary qualifications.

Regulation

From 1 December 2018, paramedicine became a nationally regulated profession under the Paramedicine Board of Australia (PBA). The PBA is supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which provides day-to-day functions for Australia's regulated health professions, such as managing practitioner registration and complaints. The title "paramedic" is protected in Australia under the Health Practitioner National Law, only Registered Paramedics are legally permitted to call themselves paramedics or practice as a paramedic.

For most paramedics, education requirements for registration are met through a bachelor's degree in paramedicine from an institution approved by the PBA. Some paramedics will hold alternative approval, such as under transitional programs for paramedics practising prior to 2018, an accepted international qualification, or a mix of formal qualifications and demonstrated competency. Other requirements for registration include meeting criminal history check standards, English language skills, professional indemnity insurance, and recency of practice.