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Undergraduate

Bachelor of Paramedicine

Key details

Duration

3 year/s full-time
6 year/s part-time
3 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1
On campus - Semester 1
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Alice Springs campus, Casuarina campus
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

240

Course code

WPAR01
SATAC codes

Overview

The Bachelor of Paramedicine qualifies you to work as a paramedic in Australia. The course offers guaranteed clinical student placements in the Northern Territory with a range of health care providers allowing students to gain important hands-on learning.

Students will graduate ready to work in emergency ambulance and out-of-hospital environments in regional, remote and urban settings.

During the three-year paramedicine degree you will gain vital clinical decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills and students will learn about anatomy and physiology, human development and Australia's health-care systems and policies. Students will develop knowledge in clinical science areas including trauma and emergency-based response.

This course also has a strong focus on First Nations Health, mental health and specific care of maternal, neonatal and patient assessments across the age ranges including paediatric patients.

Practical industry experience is important, which is why the Bachelor of Paramedicine includes three units of placements including with the St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc., the Northern Territory's exclusive paramedic service provider.

This program is designed to transition university graduates into becoming qualified ambulance paramedics who will register with the Paramedic Board of Australia.

This course is accredited with the Paramedic Board of Australia (under Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).

Compulsory intensives on campus are a requirement of this course.

Course transfer into the Bachelor of Paramedicine is not permitted due to a strict quota of places.



Career opportunities

You will graduate as a degree qualified paramedic and may apply for entry-level paramedic positions both nationally and internationally.

Other employment opportunities may include private, event or defence force paramedic services.

Practical experience

Students will gain hands-on learning experiences from both simulated learning units that are spread throughout the degree and by attending clinical placements (Work Integrated Learning (WIL)). Simulated learning adequately prepares students to take part in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and students will gain experiences in a wide range of health care settings including with an ambulance service and other community-based healthcare settings.

Professional recognition

This program is designed to transition university graduates into becoming qualified paramedics, registered with the Paramedic Board of Australia (PBA). Registered paramedics work in a range of settings which include emergency ambulances, community health care settings and industrial environments (such as mine sites). Those who are registered with PBA are also able to work in the United Kingdom as a registered paramedic.

This course is accredited by the Paramedic Board of Australia.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways

Pathways for VET to Higher Education

Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2024 is AUD $32,352.00. This equates to $ $4,044.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Engineering student Johanna Luck

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community. 

  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Engineering student Johanna Luck

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community. 

  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

What will I study?

The three-year degree is made up of 22 core units and 1 Elective. The first year comprises studies from the Health Science degree, including anatomy and physiology, human development and Australia's health-care systems and policies.

Course structure

You will develop knowledge in clinical science special areas including trauma and emergency-based response. You will also learn about Indigenous Health perspectives, geriatric and specific care of maternal, neonatal and paediatric patients.


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units 
(22 units)
230cpCompulsory Core units totalling 230 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: 

HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and Policies 
HSC133 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (replaces HSC203 from 2024) 
SBI111 Perspectives in Paramedicine Practice 
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 
SBI190 Microbiology and Immunology for Healthcare Professionals (replaces SBI182 / SBI173) 
SWK102 Communication Skills 
HSC220 Society, culture and health: A sociological introduction (replaces HSC230) 
SBI150 Cellular Biology 
SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies (replaces PSY248 from 2023 which replaced PSY247 from 2022) 
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare 
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice 
SBI270 Clinical skills for Paramedicine 
SBI273 Trauma Studies in Paramedicine 
SBI274 Advanced Resuscitation and Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (title changed 2023) 
SBI276 Paramedics Clinical Placement 1 
SBI300 Obstetrics and Women's Health in Paramedicine (title changed 2023) 
SBI301 Paediatrics in Paramedicine 
SBI313 Emergency Mental Health Response 
SBI332 Paramedics Clinical Placement 2 (20cp) (replaces SBI402 from 2024) 
SBI344 Paramedics Clinical Placement 3 (replaces SBI403 from 2024) 
SBI404 Reflective Practice and Leadership in Community Paramedicine (replaces SBI333 from 2024) 
 

Electives 
(1 unit)

10cp

Units totalling 10 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University

Students are highly encouraged to select HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval

 240cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (240cp)

  • A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units.
  • A minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above.
  • See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.

If course commenced prior to 2023: 
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.

 

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024 
HSC203 has been replaced by HSC133. Students that completed HSC203 prior to 2024 should not complete HSC133. 
SBI402 has been replaced by SBI332. Students that completed SBI402 prior to 2024 should not complete SBI332.


COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2023 
PSY248 has been replaced by SBI209. Students who have completed PSY248 or PSY247 prior to 2023 should not complete SBI209. 

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022 
PSY247 has been replaced by PSY248. Students that have completed PSY247 prior to 2022 should not complete PSY248. 
SBI182/SBI173 has been replaced by SBI190. Students that have completed SBI182 or SBI173 should not complete SBI190.

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full-time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 ie SBI270.

FULL-TIME Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core Unit
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1COSBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2CO
SBI111 Perspectives in Paramedicine Practice*COSWK102 Communication SkillsCO
HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and PoliciesCOSBI190 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals (replaces SBI182 and SBI173)CO
HSC133 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (replaces HSC203 from 2024)COSBI270 Clinical skills for Paramedicine*CO
Year 2
SBI150 Cellular BiologyCOSBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical PracticeCO
SBI241 Pathophysiology for HealthcareCOSBI274 Advanced Resuscitation and Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (title changed 2023) *CO
SBI273 Trauma studies in Paramedicine*COSBI332 Paramedics Clinical Placement 2 (20cp) (replaces SBI402 from2024)CO
SBI276 Paramedics Clinical Placement 1 (WIL)**CO  
Year 3
SBI301 Paediatrics in Paramedicine*COSBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies (replaces PSY248 which replaced PSY247)CO
HSC220 Society, culture and health: A sociological introduction (replaces HSC230)COSBI300 Obstetrics and Women's Health in Paramedicine (title changed 2023)*CO
SBI344 Paramedics Clinical Placement 3 (replaces SBI403COSBI313 Emergency Mental Health ResponseCO
Elective - HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval suggestedESBI404 Reflective Practice and Leadership in Community Paramedicine (title changed 2023) (replaces SBI333 from 2024)CO

* Intensive Unit: Students are required to attend a compulsory on-campus intensive week as part of this unit 
** Offering: This unit is also offered in Summer Semester

 

Entry requirements

Quota

The Bachelor of Paramedicine is a highly competitive course which has a quota of 50 places each year. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Quota courses are included in the main December offer round.

The course has a sub-quota of 20 students who are NT residents and 5 First Nations students.

Admission criteria

Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

  • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
  • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
  • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
  • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
  • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
  • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
  • Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
    • Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
    • Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
    • Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal

* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.

Essential requirements

If you are undertaking a course with clinical or fieldwork placements you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing clinical/fieldwork placements. A national and/or international police check is required, along with a current Working with Children check. Students are also required to undertake the necessary vaccinations in order to protect students and the public (refer to the Faculty of Health - paramedicine web page); and students must be able to meet all inherent requirements (refer to the CDU inherent requirements - paramedicine web page) and fitness to practice requirements (refer to the paramedicine web page).

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 7.0 with no score below a 6.5 in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)Test not accepted for this course.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyTest not accepted for this course.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 58 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 94 with no score less than 22 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.

 

ATAR profile

The following table represents the ATAR and selection rank profile for applicants offered a place on the basis of their ATAR in semester 1, 2023

ATAR based offers onlyATAR
(excluding adjustment factors)
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest rank to receive an offer 59.05 62.55
Median rank to receive an offer 78.75 81.30
Highest rank to receive an offer 97.75 99.75

Notes
"<5" indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.

I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.

Katie

CDU student

Nursing student on campus with laptop

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.

Katie

CDU student

Nursing student on campus with laptop

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2023.

Applicant background (Semester one intake 2023)No. of Students% of all Students
A. Higher education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)
21 .0
B. Vocational education and training (VET) study 14 .0
C. Work and life experience
(Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
<5N/P
D. Recent secondary education
  • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR

(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)

11 .0
  • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered

(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR)

<5N/P
  • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor

(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)

<5N/P
International students<5N/P
All students 46 .0

Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
No
Award
Bachelor of Paramedicine
Faculty/College
Faculty of Health
Sector
HE
Area of study
Health, Allied Health Sciences

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC.

If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Alice Springs campus (CSP)
134251
Casuarina campus (CSP)
104861
Casuarina campus (CSP)
104861
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
104635M

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