Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC25)
ACPIC 2025 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Brisbane (September 2025) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.
Conference theme: Foundations to future: Advancing paramedicine
Australasia’s female paramedicine workforce: opportunities and barriers from a national survey
This online cross-sectional survey asked Australasian paramedics about their current and future planned employment including comparative work experiences of females and possible enablers and barriers to their career progression. 1236 survey responses were collected: 56.1% male, 42.1% female, and 1.9% other. Women were overrepresented at younger ages, more likely to have caring responsibilities during childbearing years, less likely to have post-graduate qualifications, and overrepresented in lower salary bands. Irrespective of the international move toward gender parity there are still inequities in the number of women holding senior roles in paramedicine which has ramifications for workforce retention and turnover.
Biography: A/Prof Liz Thyer
Liz is an Associate Professor in the WSU Paramedicine program and a fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine and Senior Higher Education Fellow. She is passionate about teaching and research opportunities that will shape the future of paramedicine through workforce innovations and engagement with diverse populations. She currently leads the Australasian Workforce Survey Research and supervises12 HDR students developing the next generation of researchers.
Moderator: Sherlyn Hii, Conference MC and Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria and Registered Nurse, Grampians Health
The College is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics and student paramedics across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand since 1973.
The College acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and sea in which we live and work, we recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
We recognise the unique role of Māori as Tangata Whenua and embrace Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognising Māori as tino rangatiratanga of Aotearoa New Zealand while supporting the guiding principles of Te Tiriti – Tino rangatiratanga, Equality, Active protection, Options, and Partnership.
