Paramedical Studies Courses

To be eligible students need to:

* have completed at least one Board of Studies accredited subject (that is acceptable for an ATAR) at HSC Stage 6 before the start of year 12; and

* have been recommended by their School Principal.

The University's Undergraduate Programs Admission Policy will apply.

This program is quota managed for which there is a limited number of places available to ensure that sufficient resources are available to support the students. Meeting the admission requirements for this program may not result in an applicant receiving an admission offer.

Prior OP students: Applicants who graduated with an OP in or before 2019 can apply to Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for an ATAR statement. For more information visit qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/australian-tertiary-admission-rank-atar.

Students who require a refresher or who have not done Year 12 Chemistry or Mathematical Methods are strongly recommended to undertake a bridging course prior to commencing this program. For further information, please visit our Bridging and Short Courses website.

• To be considered for a first-round offer applications to study in 2024 must be received by 5.00 pm on Saturday, 30 September 2023.
• The standard entry (non-conversion) application submission deadline is 11.59 pm Sunday 31 December 2023. Applications for conversion pathways will remain open beyond 31 December 2023.

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you're not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2022, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 83.2. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

Completed a course at university Diploma level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or an equivalent overseas qualification); or

Completed at least four units of study (equivalent to 50 UTAS credit points) of a course at university diploma level (or an equivalent overseas qualification). If you have failed any units your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made

Please note that admission to the Bachelor of Paramedicine is highly competitive and that achieving the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer for this course. Applicants who meet the entry requirements are ranked and offers are made based on the number of places available.

To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Diploma of Nursing (the approved program of study for enrolled nurses), or a Diploma of Paramedical Science, or a Diploma of Emergency Health Care, or a combined JMED and Diploma of Nursing (ADF).

Conversion pathways are only available to practicing paramedics and Australian Defence Force Medics. All other applicants are encouraged to consider applying via the Bachelor of Paramedicine standard entry, which is open to applicants from all educational backgrounds.

Have completed a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Paramedical Science, or an equivalent qualification as determined by the College of Health and Medicine; and

Provide a statement from your employer confirming your current employment as a paramedic or Australian Defence Force Medic (ADFMC) or Ambulance Community Officer with Ambulance Victoria or NSW Ambulance trainee; and

Have current AHPRA registration in paramedicine without conditions or notations. Note, Australian Defence Force applicants, applicants employed as Ambulance Community Officers with Ambulance Victoria and Ambulance trainees nominated by Ambulance NSW are exempt from this requirement.

If you have an international qualification this will need to be assessed by an Australian Registered Training Organisation to determine, through a recognition of prior learning assessment, whether or not your qualification is equivalent to an AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Further information about the recognition of prior learning process and a list of Registered Training Organisations who may be able to undertake the assessment are available from the myskills website.

This pathway is only available to applicants employed as Ambulance trainees by Ambulance NSW and nominated by Ambulance NSW for admission to this pathway and, who meet the 'Standard' entry requirements of this course.
All other applicants are encouraged to consider applying via the Bachelor of Paramedicine standard entry, which is open to applicants from all educational backgrounds.

If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

This course is not available to international students. Please see our international page for courses that are offered to international students.

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

• A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
• Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 600 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 5.0 (Paper Based Test), or 100 or better overall and a score of 25 or better in the Writing section (Internet Based Test); or
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 64 with no communication score less than 64; or
• An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Students will be required to provide a National Police Certificate, and obtain and hold a valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card), at their own expense, prior to undertaking Work-Integrated Learning units.

Students will be required to immediately notify the Head of Course Paramedic Science if they are under investigation, have been charged with, or found guilty of a criminal offence (other than a minor traffic offence) whether in Australia or outside Australia.

Students will be required to undergo and pass a mandatory Health Screening assessment, at their own expense, and provide evidence of current mandatory vaccinations, prior to undertaking Work-Integrated Learning units.

Students will be required to immediately notify the Head of Course Paramedic Science if any significant medical condition, impairment, injury or illness will affect their ability to undertake Work-Integrated Learning units or fully participate in practical components of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science course.

English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science.

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • University Preparation Course;*
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
  • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

  * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

  For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

• Students seeking registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in their English language skills registration standard (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx). These requirements are separate to ECU course admission English language requirements which are detailed below.

  International students are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement. Acceptable tests are as follows:

  • IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
    * 24 for listening
    * 24 for reading,
    * 27 for writing, and
    * 23 for speaking, or
  • Any other accepted test or qualification from a recognised country as defined by the Paramedicine Board of Australia.

  Note: English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

  Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
  • Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Admission to the TRACKS tertiary preparation program will be open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates:

(a) who are not admissible to a course and who intend to seek admission to an undergraduate course; or

(b) who state that completion of this enabling course will make them better qualified to undertake an undergraduate degree and who intend to seek admission to an undergraduate degree; or

(c) who have unsuccessfully attempted an undergraduate course previously and who state that completion of this enabling course will make them better qualified to undertake an undergraduate course.

To be eligible to commence clinical placement you must provide evidence of having met all mandatory requirements by the Friday of Week 13 of Semester 1. Failure to do so will prevent you from commencing Clinical Placement and will delay the completion of your studies.

Go to the Paramedic Science - Clinical Practicums page to find out more about Clinical Placements and mandatory requirements.

You will be required to purchase the student paramedic uniform which includes shirt, trousers, boots, belt, personal protective equipment and soft shell jacket before going on placement. The approximate cost of the full uniform set is $600. You will also be required to purchase other items of personal medical equipment such as a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer.

Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each subtest. Refer to English language requirements.

Recommended prior study

English; Biology; at least one other science subject

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or

Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 600 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 5.0 (Paper Based Test), or 100 or better overall and a score of 25 or better in the Writing section (Internet Based Test); or

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 64 with no communication score less than 64; or

An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Students will be required to procure and maintain a valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card) prior to undertaking Work-integrated Learning units.

Students will be required to undergo a mandatory Health Screening assessment and provide evidence of current mandatory vaccinations prior to undertaking Work-integrated Learning units.

The University's Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8) Policy will apply.

The criteria for admission are:

• successful completion of the Griffith Bachelor of Paramedicine (1533) or an equivalent qualification from another university;
• a GPA of at least 5.0 over the second and third year of the Bachelor degree.

The Program Director will take the following into consideration when assessing applications for admission:

• the suitability of the proposed dissertation topic;
• the resources available to support the candidature including availability of appropriate supervision;
• the preparedness of the applicant to undertake the degree in terms of the elapsed time since the prospective candidate qualified for the award of a Bachelor degree and the academic preparation provided by the Bachelor degree for the candidate's proposed dissertation topic.