The Bachelor of Paramedic Science 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 course 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 course 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 Ambulance Services.
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 | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BParamedSc |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
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 between 1 and 14 or equivalent expected.
Students are required to obtain a first-aid certificate with a current CPR certification prior to enrolment in unit PMSC11002.
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 unit at CQUniversity. The recommended unit of study is CHEM40079.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Students studying via distance education will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units. At times there may be a requirement to complete residential school in Cairns. See "More Details" for further information. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
PMSC12002 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 5 weeks of clinical placement |
PMSC13002 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 4 weeks of clinical placement |
PMSC13004 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 4 weeks of clinical placement |
Year | Number of Students |
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2025 | 521 |
2024 | 561 |
2023 | 582 |
2022 | 707 |
2021 | 777 |
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. 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, and Tuberculosis screening. Quantitative Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
While not mandatory, we highly recommend that all students participating in this course receive Covid-19 and Influenza vaccinations, noting that these vaccinations may still be mandatory in some states other than Queensland. Failure to meet an organisation’s vaccination requirements may result in delays in completing required placements.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | |||||||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | |||||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | |||||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | |||||||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | |||||||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | |||||||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | |||||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | |||||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | |||||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 24 | Total credit points: 144 |
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This detailed study plan is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in 4 units 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 units per term (12 units of credit).
Please refer to More Details for important details in relation to unit availability.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM11042 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | |
BMSC11001 | Human Body Systems 1 | |
ESSC11004 | Study and Research Skills for Health Science | |
PMSC11001 | Foundations of Paramedic Science |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11005 | Foundations of Biochemistry | |
PMSC11002 | Foundations of Paramedic Clinical Practice | |
BMSC11002 | Human Body Systems 2 | |
PMSC11003 | Principles of Paramedic Practice |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC12007 | Neurological Physiology & Measurement | |
MBIO12013 | Microbiology for Health Care | |
PMSC12001 | Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care | |
PMSC12004 | Advanced Electrophysiology and Coronary Care |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC12002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 | |
PMSC12003 | Special Populations in Paramedic Practice | |
BMSC12010 | Clinical Biochemistry | |
MPAT12001 | Medical Pathophysiology |
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 | |
PMSC13003 | Pharmacology in Paramedic Practice | |
BMSC13010 | Pharmacology |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13004 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 | |
PMSC13010 | Consolidated Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC13011 | Trauma and Emergency Management |
Clinical placement
Within this course, students will be required to complete three Clinical Paramedic Practice units which amount to a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time work placement. Clinical placements are invaluable in developing professional capabilities, clinical skills, and workplace literacy within authentic clinical and operational environments and ensure graduate work readiness and employability.
The three clinical placement units include the following units:
The first placement is generally scheduled during the second year, with the second and third placements generally scheduled in the third year of the course.
Clinical placements are facilitated in Queensland. Queensland Ambulance Service is the primary placement provider for CQUniversity, and due to the very high demand for placement positions, students must be prepared to travel to any location within Queensland to attend clinical placements as a placement experience near their residence is highly unlikely. Students from interstate are expected to travel to Queensland to attend clinical placements. Students who are employed by other state or territory ambulance services may be able to undertake placement outside of Queensland. These placements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students cannot 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 on the course.
Placement experiences are designed to provide an average of 40 hours per week, across various roster configurations covering 24 hours. Under direct supervision, students will engage in clinical and operational activities, with scopes of practice aligning with the academic unit of enrolment.
Placements in non-ambulance settings
From 2026, the first clinical placement will have a component of the placement hours facilitated in a non-ambulance setting, offering students the opportunity to engage in the profession of paramedicine from different perspectives.
Contacting placement providers
CQUniversity students are not permitted to initiate or make contact with any placement provider to discuss clinical placements unless directed by CQUniversity academics to do so. All placements must be coordinated centrally through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team and/or academics associated with the course.
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. The approximate cost of the full uniform set is $800. Non-adherence to uniform and PPE requirements will result in immediate removal from clinical placement.
CQUniversity and placement providers mandate certain vaccination and health standards before attendance to ensure student safety and readiness for practice. Information on these requirements and associated due dates is communicated before each placement and is available in the Handbook via the ‘Getting Started/Compulsory Requirements’ tab, or via the WIL team.
All requirements must be successfully achieved by specific timeframes, which are provided by the WIL team. Enrolment in a clinical placement unit does not guarantee facilitation of placement, particularly if mandatory checks are not met by the specified cut-off date. In this instance, enrolment will be cancelled, and the student will need to enrol in the next available offering of the unit.
The broad categories of mandatory requirements include, but are not limited to:
The above can change without notice by placement providers. For further information about the above requirements, please contact the WIL team.
Prospective students who have further enquiries should contact 13 27 86.
Outbound Mobility (International)
CQUniversity offers opportunities for students to engage in International Outbound Mobility tours. Participation in CQUniversity-approved and supervised international engagements may support credit toward the student's clinical placement hours.
Student Conduct and the Ahpra Shared Code of Conduct
While on clinical placement, students will be expected to abide by the CQUniversity Student Conduct Policy and Procedure and the Ahpra Shared Code of Conduct https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Code-of-conduct/Shared-Code-of-conduct.aspx
Memberships
The Australian College of Paramedicine (ACP) is the peak professional body for paramedics in Australasia. The College has a range of memberships, including student memberships. Please see: https://paramedics.org/membership
Registration and Accreditation
As the Education Provider, CQUniversity will register students as a ‘student’ with Ahpra. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration as a Registered Paramedic.
To apply for registration, students will need to ensure they can demonstrate they are qualified and suitable for registration. This information is available on the Paramedicine Board of Australia website: https://www.paramedicineboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx