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CG95 - Bachelor of Paramedic Science

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

In the Bachelor of Paramedic Science you will learn to apply knowledge of emergency medicine to clinical practice as a health professional . You will develop a high level of evaluative and diagnostic skills so you can rapidly assess patients and implement best practice emergency care in a safe and effective manner.

You will also develop high level communication skills so you can interact positively with patients and other health professionals in the clinical work environment. Clinical decision making and problem solving ability will be developed through the use of scenario based learning techniques and exposure to ‘real world' conditions while on placement with Ambulance Services.

Career Information

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.

Course Details
Duration 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
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 - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,325
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $28,953
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $19,140
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $38,220
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,650
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,016

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2023

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2022

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2021

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2020

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2019

Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2018

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2017

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2016

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 2 - 2015

Sorry, no domestic availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2015

Distance
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2014

Students undertaking the Bachelor of Paramedic Science full program should commence the program in T1 (distance, Rockhampton) Students undertaking the EMS Occupational Health and Safety program may commence the program in Term 1 (distance) Students undertaking the Clinical program may commence the program in Term 1 (distance)
Distance
Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2021

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2018

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2017

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2016

Cairns
Distance
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 2 - 2015

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2015

Distance
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2014

Students undertaking the Bachelor of Paramedic Science full program should commence the program in T1 (distance, Rockhampton) Students undertaking the EMS Occupational Health and Safety program may commence the program in Term 1 (distance) Students undertaking the Clinical program may commence the program in Term 1 (distance)
Distance
Rockhampton
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 75 | ATAR 75
Entry Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or 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 or 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 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 as below. 

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 7.0 for Speaking and Listening; 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 final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

NOTE:  Students are required to obtain a valid first-aid certificate with a current CPR certification prior to enrolment in unit PMSC11002.

Assumed Knowledge

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.

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Paramedicine Accreditation Committee

    Approved by the Paramedicine Board of Australia as a qualification that leads to general registration as a paramedic.

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School All students will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units. At times there may be a requirement to complete residential school in Cairns, Townsville or Rockhampton. See "More Details" for further information.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

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

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 563
2023 582
2022 707
2021 777
2020 642
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

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.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Treating personal information obtained in classroom and clinical settings as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious cultural and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and taking responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Interacting positively and effectively with other students while attending activities related to the course.
  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, constructive feedback, and direction from academics and clinical staff.
  • Coping effectively with your emotions, responses and behaviour when dealing with challenging situations in the clinical setting, particularly during emergencies.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation including mandatory reporting requirements by presenting a National Police Check (not older than three years).
  • Obtaining a Working With Children Check before attending clinical placements.
  • Understanding and adhering to professional policy around the use of social media.
  • Knowing, understanding and complying with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary prerequisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Verbally communicating your knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Providing the health care team with verbal handover reports related to patient care.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of peers, patients and others, and responding appropriately during placement.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact and a range of body movements and gestures while being mindful of interpersonal space.
  • Constructing your assessment work to academic standards with attention to correct grammar and punctuation.
  • Constructing fluent summarised written text from complex and detailed information.
  • Constructing legible reports in a timely manner to meet professional standards and clearly communicating the intended message.
  • Accurately documenting patients' charts and records, meeting legal and professional requirements.
  • Having access to a computer for your studies.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in clinical settings.
  • Performing clinical skills within set time-frames.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge to understand a patient's history when undertaking patient assessment during emergency situations.
  • Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
  • Actively listening to information within a variety of academic and clinical and emergency situations.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting information related to patients.
  • Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
  • Accurately reading and interpreting various measurements as well as calculating drug dosages in a timely manner during emergency and routine situations.
  • Demonstrating accurate recording on a fluid balance chart.
  • Recognising when a calculator may have given an incorrect answer.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Focussing on and recognising objects that are either near or far.
  • Observing non-verbal behaviour and other situations in a variety of professional settings.
  • Accurately drawing up and administering medication.
  • Observing and detecting subtle changes in a patient's response to emergency procedures in a timely manner.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Having sufficient auditory ability to consistently and accurately monitor, assess and manage a patient's needs.
  • Accurately interpreting the verbal communication and direction of clinical staff during emergency situations.
  • Accurately detecting heart and breath sounds by auscultation.
  • Accurately undertaking a blood pressure measurement by auscultation.
  • Using touch in an appropriate manner when conveying positive messages for emotional support during difficult circumstances.
  • Detecting any changes in circulation observations e.g. temperature and pulse palpation.
  • Conducting physical assessments and detecting any anatomical abnormalities.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement or action.
  • Identifying when a clinical practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
  • Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
  • Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in activities related to the course with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration. This may involve standing for extended periods of time.
  • Participating in learning clinical skills and engaging in simulation activities during on-campus learning situations.
  • Performing consistent care during critical emergency situations with sustained concentration and physical energy for an 8 to 12 hour period of time including night shifts.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course.
  • Maintaining balance while safely mobilising and transferring individuals or resources.
  • Moving with ease around patients and equipment items while performing delivery of care activities and responding to emergency situations.
  • Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
  • Inserting medical devices and performing invasive procedures.
  • Manipulating intricate surgical instruments and equipment while dressing a wound.
  • Manipulating syringes and needles during preparation and administration of medications addressing safety to self and others.
  • Priming, accurately inserting and setting prescribed rates on an infusion device.
Interpersonal Engagement

 

Examples are:

  • Collaborating with other students and peers, modifying and reflecting on work or practice in response to supervisor feedback.
  • Building rapport with other students, peers and stakeholders in order to engage them in effective clinical practice, for example, during scenarios, difficult situations and critical events.
  • Reflecting critically on successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
  • Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner in a wide variety of clinical practice contexts.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

 

Examples are:

  • Competently using a computer desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
  • Accessing a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant activities and assessments for
  • the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with other students, peers and lecturers.
Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

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.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.

Other Compulsory Requirements

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.

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Perform the tasks of a paramedic within an accredited government or private ambulance service across Australia or internationally
  • 2. Demonstrate advanced clinical competencies in pre-hospital care, emergency mental health assessment with a secure medical science base
  • 3. Perform advanced clinical and mental health assessment procedures and incorporate this into an advanced clinical health care plan
  • 4. Follow specific operating protocols for an agency such as an accredited government or private ambulance service in Australia or internationally
  • 5. Demonstrate broad competency in pre-hospital care suitable for a career anywhere in Australia, as well as specifically in the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS)
  • 6. Assess risks in the out-of-hospital environment
  • 7. Develop, recommend, implement, test and report on efforts to mitigate risks among ambulance service personnel
  • 8. Apply appropriate professional and personal skills, such as critical thinking and lifelong learning, to practice within the paramedic science discipline in accordance with accreditation competencies
  • 9. Apply relevant and current policies and procedures within regulatory bodies such as the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) Australia and accredited government or private ambulance services
  • 10. Work effectively, ethically, professionally and safely in an individual or team context
  • 11. Reflect on performance and take responsibility for further learning and professional development
  Course Learning Outcomes
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
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
More Details

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.