The Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Clinical) aims to develop graduates who are able to apply knowledge of emergency medicine to clinical practice in their health professional role. To enable this ability in graduates, the program is designed to build a high level of evaluative and diagnostic skills so graduates can rapidly assess patients and implement best practice emergency care in a safe and effective manner.
The program also aims to develop high level communication skills so that graduates can interact positively with patients and other health professionals in the clinical work environment. Clinical decision making and problem solving ability will be promoted in graduates through use of scenario based learning techniques and exposure to ‘real world' conditions while on clinical practice opportunities with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).
The Bachelor of Paramedic Science (EMS Occupational Health and Safety) is designed for current practising paramedics in ambulance services and private industry only. The EMS OHS specialisation is designed for paramedics who wish to develop expertise in areas such as risk reduction and occupational safety. Graduates can work for ambulance services or private industry. For example, there are a number of private paramedic service providers offering emergency service workers to industry throughout Australia. This practice of paramedic services is ever-increasing with employment for paramedics in specific industry areas including mine sites, construction sites, industrial projects, amusement, leisure and recreation activities regarded as high risk, motorsports of all types, film and TV productions and major sporting events. Given the remote nature of many of these industries, projects or events, having the highest level of emergency patient care with an associated diverse occupational health and safety role is the key factor that will determine employment within these areas. This proposal meets the current demand in industry where industrial projects are looking for a multidisciplinary approach from their employees.
A graduate from the Bachelor of Paramedic Science (EMS Occupational Health and Safety) will be able to:
The Bachelor of Paramedic Science (EMS Occupational Health and Safety) is unique in Australia and internationally. It complements and enhances the existing and new suite of health and medical programs as well as forensic investigations on offer at CQUniversity. Designed to enhance the career opportunities of current paramedics looking at employment in industry or through private paramedic services, as well as current industrial paramedics working within the diverse field outside of Pre-hospital emergency care provision, the program includes a variety of courses applicable to a multidisciplinary team member.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science course from CQUniversity have developed the expertise and skills to work as health professionals in emergency medicine and retrieval. Work integrated clinical units are included in the 2nd and 3rd years of the course to facilitate work readiness of graduates. Graduates may go on to specialise in intensive care paramedic practice, aviation and retrieval medicine, occupational health and safety, special operations or clinical education with further study. Employment options at the completion of the course include government ambulance services as well as in the numerous private paramedic services supporting mines, industry and the resource sector.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | Each unit at this level, typically requires 144 hours of student commitment over a period of 12 weeks. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | B |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Rank Threshold | SR 75 | ATAR 75 |
Prerequisites: OP>14 or equivalent expected.
Students are required to obtain a first-aid certificate prior to enrolment in course PMSC11001.
See More Details for more information.
International Students
Students not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA are required to meet the English Language Prerequisite by:
The English Language Proficiency requirements may also be satisfied by an Occupational test - Result of ‘A' or ‘B' (results are to be no older than 2 years from the start of term).
English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science.
Students who have not studied chemistry are advised to enrol in an introductory chemistry course at CQUniversity. The recommended course of study is CHEM40079.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Optional Residential School | Students studying via distance education will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some courses. See "More Details" for further information. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
- Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the program plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 563 |
2023 | 582 |
2022 | 707 |
2021 | 777 |
2020 | 642 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks. They are outlined in the health, security, and other compulsory requirements sections. Industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures determine mandatory checks. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date before a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include a medical assessment process, immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) for the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Quantitative Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to AHPRA policies for a registered student professional, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Number of units: 15 | Total credit points: 90 |
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This detailed study plan is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in 4 courses per term (24 units of credit). Part-time students should therefore modify this schedule to suit their own needs. The normal study load for part-time students is 2 courses per term (12 units of credit).
Please refer to More Details for important details in relation to course availability.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11001 | Human Body Systems 1 | |
ESSC11004 | Study and Research Skills for Health Science | |
OCHS11025 | Health and Safety Risk Management |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MEDI11004 | Professional Practice | |
PMSC11001 | Foundations of Paramedic Science | |
BMSC11002 | Human Body Systems 2 |
PMSC11001 will be offered in Term 3 for those students who have failed this course in Term 2, and for the distance education students doing part-time enrolment to expedite their program length.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MBIO12013 | Microbiology for Health Care | |
PMSC12001 | Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BIOH12008 | Human Pathophysiology | |
PMSC12002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 |
PMSC12002 will also be offered in Term 3 to assist in expediting the program length for distance education students and for those students who are unable to complete the course in Term 2. This will be dependent on QAS approval.
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13001 | Mental Health for Paramedics | |
PMSC13002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13004 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 | |
PMSC13005 | Trauma Care in Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC13006 | Environmental Emergencies in Paramedic Practice |
Number of units: 9 | Total credit points: 54 |
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Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM11041 | Chemistry for the Life Sciences |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMED19010 | Macromolecules and Cell Function |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC12006 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Measurement | |
BMSC12007 | Neurological Physiology & Measurement |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMED19003 | Clinical Biochemistry | |
PMSC12003 | Special Populations in Paramedic Practice |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCHS12001 | Introductory Occupational Health and Safety | |
PHRM19001 | Pharmacology and Toxicology |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13003 | Pharmacology in Paramedic Practice |
Number of units: 9 | Total credit points: 54 |
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Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
AINV11001 | Real World Investigation |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
AINV11003 | Introduction to Investigative Methods |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCHS12001 | Introductory Occupational Health and Safety | |
OCHS12002 | Occupational Health and Safety Practice |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCHS12005 | Risk Management and Safety Technology CQ26 | |
OCHS12015 | Occupational Health and Safety Law |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCHS13008 | Human Factors CQ26 | |
PMSC13008 | Evaluating Emergency Services Risks |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13007 | Contemporary Emergency Services Issues |
Clinical placement
Students are required to complete three Clinical Paramedic Practice units during the course, which amount to a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time work placement. Clinical placements are invaluable in developing professional and clinical skills and workplace literacy within the authentic clinical and operational environment and ensure high standards of graduate work readiness and employability.
Due to the very high demand for placement positions, students must be prepared to travel to any location within Queensland with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to attend your clinical placements as a placement experience near your residence is highly unlikely.
The three clinical placement units embedded in the Course include the following units:
PMSC12002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 (2nd year, Term One) for 5 weeks in duration;
PMSC13002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 (2nd year, Term Three) for 5 weeks in duration; and
PMSC13004 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 (3rd year, Term Two) for 5 weeks in duration
There is no capacity for students to request split blocks, custom dates, attend placement in a part-time capacity or only on specific days of the week. The dates for all clinical placements will be available once students are enrolled into the Course.
Placement experiences are designed to provide an average of 40 hours per week at a 24-hour station. Under direct supervision, students will engage in clinical and operational activities, with participation aligning with the academic unit of enrolment.
Interstate Clinical Placements
The following outlines what availability, if any, is afforded to students who reside in other states or territories other than Queensland.
STATE / TERRITORY | POSSIBILITY OF PLACEMENTS WITH THE AMBULANCE JURISDICTION OF THAT STATE OR TERRITORY | CLINICAL PLACEMENT LOCATION |
Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Tasmania Western Australia Northern Territory |
No | All students who reside in these states/territories must undertake all clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) |
South Australia | To be eligible to participate in placements with the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS), students must be enrolled in the Graduate Paramedic Pathway (GPP) offered by the SAAS. |
All other students must complete all placements with the QAS who: · are staff of the SAAS (paid or unpaid) but are not on the GPP; or · reside in SA but are not staff (paid or unpaid) of the SAAS. |
Victoria | Students employed by Ambulance Victoria (AV), whether in a paid or unpaid capacity, are eligible to submit an Expression of Interest to the Unit Coordinator for participation in clinical placements with Ambulance Victoria. [1] | All students who are not approved by AV must undertake all clinical placements with the QAS. |
Outbound Mobility (International)
CQUniversity offers opportunities for students to engage in International Outbound Mobility tours. Participation in CQUniversity-approved and supervised international engagements will support a maximum of two (2) weeks of credit toward the student's next scheduled clinical placement unit.
Placements with non-state or territory ambulance jurisdictions
With the exception of overseas clinical placement activity, placements with any private companies are not approved.
Contacting placement providers
All CQUniversity students are not permitted to make contact with any ambulance jurisdiction to discuss clinical placement opportunities. All placements with ambulance jurisdictions must be coordinated centrally through either the WIL team or academic unit coordinators.
Mandatory requirements for clinical placement
Students will be required to purchase, from the CQUniversity Bookshop, the approved Paramedic Clinical Placement uniform for wearing during lab sessions, residential schools, and all clinical placements. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will also need to be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop as a Workplace Health and Safety requirement by all Ambulance Services when on clinical placement. Non-adherence to uniform and PPE requirements will result in immediate removal from clinical placement.
All statutory Ambulance Services mandate that students meet certain vaccination and health standards prior to attendance as well as CQUniversity also identifying certain requirements to ensure student safety and readiness for practice. Information on these requirements and associated due dates is communicated, and available, via the WIL team.
All requirements are non-negotiable and are required to be successfully achieved by specific timeframes. Please contact the WIL team via wil-hmas@cqu.edu.au to discuss further.
The broad categories of mandatory requirements include, but not limited to:
Immunisations and vaccinations
Medical Assessment
Working With Children Check (also known as a Blue Card)
National Criminal History Check (NCHC)
Quantitative mask fit testing
First Aid & CPR
Ambulance service hosted clinical placement Orientation and Declarations.
The above can change without notice by ambulance jurisdictions and/or Health Departments. For further information pertaining to the above requirements, please discuss with the WIL team as well as refer to https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinicalplacements.html
Prospective students who have further enquiries should contact 13 27 86.
[1] The current Deed of Agreement between CQUni and AV restricts the number of placements available to CQUni students therefore, being an employee of AV does not automatically qualify you to be eligible to undertake placements with AV. Your Expression of Interest will be considered on a case-by-case basis with AV. In the event that AV does not approve your request, all placements must be undertaken with the QAS.