Paramedics
Key facts
- Paramedics are trained health professionals who respond to medical emergencies and assist with serious accidents and injuries.
- They treat many different conditions, such as head injuries, chest injuries, breathing difficulties and heart conditions.
- Paramedics work in ambulances, as well as hospitals, community health services and aged care homes.
- Paramedics can help with health problems that are not emergencies.
- To become a paramedic, you usually need a bachelor's degree in paramedicine or a similar study program.
What is a paramedic?
A paramedic is a trained health professional who responds to medical emergencies and provides urgent care.
Paramedic titles may vary by state. There are also different types of paramedics, such as:
- paramedics who provide emergency care and transport people to hospital
- extended care paramedics, who provide more complex emergency care
- intensive care paramedics, who provide specialist intensive care, perform advanced medical procedures and deliver emergency care
At the highest level are paramedic practitioners. These specially trained paramedics work closely with doctors, nurses and other health professionals. They can treat a range of health problems in different settings.
Some paramedics also have training in primary healthcare. This means they can help with health problems that are not emergencies.
When do I see a paramedic?
Paramedics are trained to respond to serious accidents and injuries.They treat many different life-threatening conditions and injuries, such as:
Paramedic practitioners can help both with sudden (acute) and long-term (chronic) health conditions and injuries.
What should I expect when I'm seen by a paramedic?
You may be seen by a paramedic in an emergency or for other types of care.
In an emergency, paramedics provide rapid assessment and treatment. They may:
- give medicines, including for pain relief
- provide CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if someone is not breathing or their heart has stopped
- insert an IV (intravenous) line to give fluids or medicine
- take care of your airway, for example, by inserting a tube through your mouth, into your airway to deliver oxygen if you are not breathing
Paramedics often need to make quick decisions about your care. This includes how to safely move you from an accident scene. During transport, they make sure you get to the right place for further care.
They may also:
- transport you between hospitals
- support you during a mental health emergency
- record important information about your condition to share with your healthcare team, so they can give you the right treatment
Paramedic practitioners can advise you on how to stay healthy, prevent disease or manage sudden or long-term health problems.
What equipment may a paramedic use?
Paramedics may use a range of equipment to check, treat and safely move a person.
This may include:
- monitoring equipment — such as a heart monitor called an electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulse oximeter (which measures oxygen levels in your blood)
- breathing support equipment — including oxygen and airway devices to help you breathe
- emergency equipment — such as a defibrillator (a machine that provides an electric shock to the heart to reset its rhythm)
- a stretcher and lifting equipment — to move you safely
- bandages and supplies — to treat wounds or injuries
The equipment they use will depend on what you need at the time.
What questions should I ask a paramedic?
Asking questions can help you understand your care.
You may want to ask:
- What is happening to me?
- What treatment are you giving me?
- Do I need to go to hospital?
- What will happen next?
- Is there anything I should do or avoid?
- Can you contact my family or someone I trust?
In an emergency, paramedics will focus on keeping you safe. They will explain things as clearly as possible.
How do I find a paramedic?
You can usually access paramedics through ambulance services.
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
You should call triple zero (000) if someone has had an accident or a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing, chest pain or severe injury.
Where do paramedics work?
Paramedics work in many different places. Paramedics usually work at accident scenes and transport patients to the hospital as part of the ambulance service.
You can also find paramedics in places such as:
- community health centres
- public and private hospitals
- aged care facilities
- schools
- mental health services
- drug and alcohol services
- military places
What qualifications or training do paramedics have?
To become a paramedic, you must complete a bachelor's degree in paramedic science, paramedicine or a similar program. There are many courses, certificates and degrees available to advance your career and progress into more advanced positions.
Paramedic practitioners must meet national registration standards, depending on their role.
Resources and support
Read more on ambulances in Australia, including when to call for an ambulance and what happens when you call.
To learn more about becoming a paramedic, visit the Paramedicine Board of Australia (Opens in new tab).
If you're exploring a career as an intensive care ambulance paramedic (Opens in new tab), read more about this role.
For further details on paramedic practitioners with extra primary care qualifications, visit the Australasian College of Paramedic Practitioners (Opens in new tab).
Languages other than English
Ambulance Victoria (Opens in new tab) has information about calling an ambulance in languages other than English.
Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Queensland Ambulance Service (Opens in new tab) offers a program that supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to train and work as paramedics.
Find out how we develop and review our content.
Last reviewed: April 2026
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