The Australasian College of Paramedicine Professional practice programs

Professional practice programs


The College’s professional practice programs have been designed to offer paramedics continuous training and professional development throughout their careers.

These programs aim to uphold and develop the highest commitment and standards for quality paramedic care.

The Professional programs suite of Programs include:

Pre-employment Program


Transition from university to the workforce with confidence

The College’s Pre-employment Program offers newly graduated or nearly graduated students the opportunity to transition from university to the workforce with support and guidance from experts and professionals in paramedicine. As a precursor to the full Graduate Year of Practice Program, this low-commitment, highly interactive, and supportive program runs for four weeks.

Program highlights:

  • Duration: Four weeks
  • Student centred online learning
  • 100% online: Self-paced material plus two live sessions
  • Guarantees entry into the Grad Start Program
  • Suitable for:
    • Students nearing graduation
    • Recently graduated students entering employment for the first time
    • Those wanting to brush up on their skills and learn more about professional paramedic practice, as well as students and graduates transitioning to jobs

Areas of focus include:

  • Interview techniques
  • Preparing for your first shift
  • Understanding human factors
  • Recognising and preventing burnout.

Our professional practice programs offer multiple intakes throughout the year to accommodate diverse schedules. Applications for this program are currently closed. For more information please email education@paramedics.org.

The Graduate Year of Practice suite of programs consists of three transformative phases:

Each phase is thoughtfully crafted to empower growth, offering a supportive structure for practical application that elevates the journey toward excellence.

Grad Start Program (eight Weeks)

Build a strong foundation for your paramedic career

The Grad Start Program provides essential support and guidance for graduates as they begin their careers. This program is ideally suited to those who have recently started working in the profession but can also be undertaken by those not yet employed or on a merit list.

Program highlights:

Duration: Eight weeks

Learning mode: 100% online: Self-paced material plus monthly live sessions

Suitable for:

  • Recent graduates
  • Graduates in early employment
  • Those waiting for employment

Open to: Graduates looking to work in various paramedic settings, including jurisdictional ambulance services, NGOs, private companies, industrial and mining sectors, humanitarian and disaster response, community, and primary healthcare.To be eligible, graduates need to be FULL members of the College, registered with Ahpra, and have completed an approved study program.

Areas of focus include:

  • Ethical practice and professional standards
  • Career development in clinical practice
  • Clinical skills and critical thinking
  • Development of cultural competency and responsiveness skills
  • Networking opportunities and panel discussions

By the end of this course, you'll feel empowered to approach your career with confidence, equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective care in any paramedic setting.

Join us on this journey to refine your practice and embrace the rewarding challenges of the paramedic profession!

Our professional practice programs offer multiple intakes throughout the year to accommodate diverse schedules. Applications for this program are currently closed. For more information please email education@paramedics.org.

Applied Practice (14 weeks)

Following the Pre-employment and Grad Start programs, graduates will transition into a dynamic and supportive environment that fosters ongoing professional development.

The emphasis will be on teamwork, critical thinking, and holistic care across the lifespan, which are essential for providing high-quality person-centred care. By reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning and professional growth, this program empowers graduates to establish a confident and competent foundation for their careers in emergency response.

Suitable for:

Grad Start alumni or graduates who are early in their first year of practice (3-6 months). This program is open to all graduates working or looking to work in the paramedic profession, including jurisdictional ambulance services, non-government organisations, private companies, industrial and mining, humanitarian and disaster, community and primary healthcare.

Areas of focus include:

  • Professional practitioner
  • Culturally responsive care
  • Working in an emergency care environment
  • Holistic care across the lifespan

Our professional practice programs offer multiple intakes throughout the year to accommodate diverse schedules. Applications for this program are currently closed. For more information please email education@paramedics.org

Consolidated Practice (26 weeks)

Advancing independent practice in paramedicine

Consolidated Practice is a comprehensive approach to advancing independent practice in paramedicine. It emphasises continuous learning through case-based methodologies, engaging with experts, and working alongside interdisciplinary professionals. Key areas of focus include advocacy for enhancing patient care and improving outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, the impact of cognitive load on decision-making, and balancing the benefits and burdens of continuous professional development. This holistic approach enhances both individual and collective capabilities in patient care.

Suitable for:

  • Applied Practice alumni or graduates in their first year of practice (6-12 months)
  • Open to all graduates looking to work in the paramedic profession, including those in state ambulance services, NGOs, private companies, industrial and mining sectors, humanitarian and disaster response, community, and primary healthcare.

Topics include:

  • Clinical Practice and Patient Advocacy
  • Professional Development and Clinical Excellence
  • Clinical Guidelines and Standards of Care
  • Emerging Challenges and Innovative Practices
  • Advocacy and community engagement
  • Resources, Workshops, and Collaborative Learning

Our professional practice programs offer multiple intakes throughout the year to accommodate diverse schedules. Applications for this program are currently closed. For more information please email education@paramedics.org

Paramedic Preceptor Program


Empower the Next Generation of Paramedics

The Paramedic Preceptor Program is tailored for paramedics who work with students and graduate paramedics, providing support, education, mentoring, and coaching in all areas of paramedicine.

This program is dedicated to refining teaching, coaching, and mentorship abilities, fostering the success of the next generation of paramedics. Join us on this transformative journey to become an inspiring preceptor and mentor, making a lasting impact on the future of paramedicine.

The Paramedic Preceptor Program will empower participants as they embark on their transformative journey in the preceptor space, acquiring the necessary skills and competencies essential for their roles in the paramedic profession.

Suitable for:

  • Paramedics who support, educate, mentor, and coach students and graduate paramedics.
  • Suitable for both new and experienced preceptors.

The Paramedic preceptor program is organised by stream, enabling you to build the course you need based on your current strengths and knowledge and identifying areas for growth within yourself. Key to the learning and common across all streams are educational theory and practice and psychology of learning

Steams include:

  • Teacher/Educator/Coach
  • Mentor/Role Model
  • Leader/Influencer
  • Communicator/Socialiser

Our professional practice programs offer multiple intakes throughout the year to accommodate diverse schedules. Applications for this program are currently closed. For more information please email education@paramedics.org

Preceptor Hub


The Preceptor Hub is accessible to participants of the Paramedic Preceptor Program.

This is a monthly Preceptor Hub gathering, a collaborative space designed for paramedic preceptors to connect, share experiences, and enhance their mentoring skills. These dynamic sessions feature a mix of live events and webinars, each focused on critical aspects of preceptorship in paramedicine.

By participating in the Preceptor Hub, you will enhance your skills and knowledge while contributing to a supportive community committed to shaping the future of paramedicine. Let's work together to inspire and empower the next generation of healthcare leaders. Join us each month to connect, learn, and grow!

Upcoming Agenda Highlights:

  • Precepting across challenges
  • Precepting across professions
  • Precepting experiences paramedics as they transition into high-performance roles
  • Burnout – Looking after the preceptor
  • Leadership and preceptors
  • Precepting across generations and cultures
  • Open discussion expert panel

Clinical Case Hub


Case-based learning (CBL) is a powerful approach in paramedicine, enabling paramedics to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

CBL presents specific scenarios that mimic real-world situations in a storytelling manner, creating a platform for paramedics to engage in discussions that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This method utilises collaborative learning, facilitates the integration of new knowledge, develops intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, encourages self-reflection, allows for scientific inquiry, and supports the development of various learning skills. With intense interaction between participants, CBL is learner-centred and highly interactive, allowing paramedics to build their knowledge base and work together as a team to examine cases.

Suitable for: The Clinical Case Hub is designed for paramedics and graduate paramedics across all disciplines and practice levels, regardless of their employment setting. This program is ideal for those committed to enhancing their clinical skills, patient advocacy abilities, and professional development. It is equally relevant for paramedics working in primary healthcare, community settings, industrial and mining environments, and event medical services. Both experienced professionals seeking to elevate their practice and recent graduates building their foundation in paramedicine are encouraged to engage. Additionally, paramedic educators and preceptors focused on fostering a culture of learning and collaboration are welcome.

Next event:

  • Date: tbc
  • Format: Live only
  • Capacity: 30 participants
  • Frequency: Delivered monthly

Click here to explore upcoming College events that can provide you with skills and knowledge to help you advance your career.

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The College is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics and student paramedics across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand since 1973.

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