Recruiting now! Applications close 23 May 2025. Apply now

Working as an Indigenous cadet

As a cadet in the Indigenous paramedic program, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to take care of people in the pre-hospital environment. This may be in their homes, at the scene of an emergency or in a disaster. You and your clinical supervisor will assess the scene, check the patient's condition and give them care before they go to hospital or a medical facility.

Read the role description [PDF 568.91 KB] to learn about the work you’ll do as a cadet in the Indigenous Paramedic Program.

Program structure

Our program includes:

  • a fully funded tertiary education through Central Queensland University
  • full time work as an ambulance officer in the pre-hospital environment
  • on the job clinical supervision and learning support
  • paid study time and access to tutoring, if you need it.

When you join the program, you will work through the following educational milestones:

  • Certificate IV in Health Care
  • Diploma of Emergency Health or CQU STEPs
  • Bachelor of Paramedic Science

How to apply

We are now taking applications for our next intake. Apply now. Applications close 23 May 2025.

To be notified for future intakes fill in our Indigenous cadet paramedic program expression of interest form.

Read our applicant information kit [PDF 476.52 KB] and application advice to learn more.

Indigenous Paramedic Program Cadet, Azren, talking about his experience with the program
Duration: 3:31

Azren, Indigenous Paramedic Program Cadet: “I applied for the Indigenous Paramedic Program because I wanted to actually give back to community, but also get an education.

“The program’s important as it creates culturally safe steps to go into the workforce.

“Not only that, it shows indigenous mob, First Nations, we are in the community and we are representing.

“Our patients feel more comfortable with us, and they want to engage with us. They’re not going to just shy away or feel shame or embarrassed to talk about their health issues.

“So this is the reason why this program is actually really, really important.

“A normal working week for me looks like this, so it’s a 4 day on roster and 4 days off.

“My first day is actually me going out to our education support unit, there I will undertake my Certificate 4.

“Considering I’m 15 months into the program, I’ve now started my bachelor’s degree in Paramedicine. Completing a certificate 4 and the STEPS (program) at the same time was very challenging but very rewarding when I passed it and got to graduate with my other colleagues within the Townsville area, and it was great to see all of us go into uni at the same time.

“So that was one of the biggest achievements that I’m very proud of.

“The next day I’ll do my on-road. I start at 6 o’clock in the morning, we’ll come to station, we’ll set up our vehicle, and then once we log on, first job that could come in could be what we call a code 1, which could be a chest pain, which means we go lights and sirens.

“We could also do transports from hospital to home. You can work right across the region, so never one day is ever the same, it’s always different and you get to see some really great places around.

“After that I have 4 days off.

“So my future goal going forward within QAS is to complete off my certificate 4 and go on to complete my bachelor’s degree in Paramedicine, this is going to take about 5 years in total.

“But beyond that, I do have further aspirations to go further within the organisation, I’d like to go work in the coordination centre within QAS.

“My advice I would give future applicants, just apply and give it a go. Anyone can actually apply for this job and have a crack at it. I come from a background that is not even health-related.

“I saw this job advertised, was very keen on it, applied, and got in.

“If you’re still unsure, do contact QAS, if you go on to their website there is a contact number on there, and see if you can speak to the indigenous cultural unit.

“One of my biggest highlights, was actually working with indigenous mob in community and realising how important my actual role is.

“I had an indigenous person who couldn’t quite understand their health issues and as in indigenous person I got to sit down with them and actually discuss with them about their health related issues that they have, when to contact Queensland Ambulance, the role of what a GP would do and what a hospital would do. But also taking away a lot of the medical terminology to them too, to our mob.

“And I actually walked away from that job realising that yeah I’ve actually made a bit of a difference in my own community.”

Who can do the program

The program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders of all learning needs and capabilities. Before you apply, check the role description to see if you’re eligible for the role.

You’ll need to show evidence that you meet the following criteria in your application or expression of interest.

You can confirm your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage

To confirm your heritage, you will need to show us a certified copy of your Certificate of Aboriginality.

If you don’t have this, you can download and fill in the following form from the Queensland Government website. Part A of the form asks you to make a statutory declaration. You will need a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to fill in Part B.

Declaration and Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Status form [PDF]

It can take time to get these documents, so it’s a good idea to apply for them early if you want to join the program.

We ask to see these documents because there’s a genuine need to employ an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person in this role. We’re able to do this under Section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).

You have strong engagement, relationships and actively participate in the community where you’ll work

To show this, we will need a written reference from a suitable community member who can support your application.

Being part of your community and understanding their ways will help you deliver culturally safe and equitable health care.

You have a senior secondary school certificate, or higher qualification

You need to have one of the following to apply.

  • Year 12 Certificate
  • Certificate III qualification in any area
  • An equivalent or higher qualification

If you don’t have a copy, you can contact the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority for a replacement. We’ll also accept your USI VET transcript.

You can drive a manual motor vehicle in Queensland

To take part in the program, you need a Queensland C Car open or provisional licence for a manual motor vehicle.

If you only drive automatic you can still apply, but you need to get your manual licence before the program begins.

If you do not have a manual license, you can provide booking evidence for your manual driving test upon application.

You can do shift work

We operate 24 hours a day. You must be able to work during the day, afternoon or night on weekdays, weekends and public holidays.

Rostered shifts can be 10 to 12 hours long depending on the station roster and sometimes you may be on call.

You’re fit and healthy, and have all your vaccinations

Check that you meet our medical standards for paramedics [PDF 218.87 KB] before you apply.

You need to show evidence that you’ve had all the vaccinations listed. You can ask your GP for this, or show an immunisation statement from the Australian Immunisation Register.

Some vaccinations are given in a series of doses over several months. It’s a good idea to start getting them early so you can apply for the program.

You’re able to register with Ahpra

When you finish your degree you need to register with Ahpra, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to work as a qualified paramedic. You can review their registration standards for paramedics and read their fact sheets to learn more.

After you apply

We’ll meet you for an interview if your application is successful. We usually hold this where you’ll be working, or nearby. There’s usually 3 or 4 people who will interview you, including:

  • a human resource officer
  • a cultural safety support officer (identified)
  • a community representative (identified)
  • an officer in charge of the local ambulance station.

You’ll also do a computer test and a group activity. We may ask you to fill in or verify certain documents.

As part of the recruitment process we also do checks for your:

  • references and qualifications
  • criminal history
  • traffic history
  • working with children clearance (blue card), if you need it.

Learn more about our working for us.

Starting the program

When you first start the program, you’ll do 6 weeks of basic training.

This usually includes:

  • 3 weeks at Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, Whyte Island, Brisbane
  • 1 week driver training, Gympie
  • 2 weeks regional induction.

We’ll arrange and pay for your travel and accommodation if you don’t live nearby.

After the induction period you will begin working in the local district over a probation period.

Contacts

For more information contact our Indigenous Recruitment Team at QASIndigenousRecruitment@ambulance.qld.gov.au.

You can also email our main recruitment team at QAS.Recruitment@ambulance.qld.gov.au.

Application advice

  • Read the role description and understand what you are applying for.
  • Think about the role and how you can show that you have the qualities and skills to do it well.
  • Prepare your resume early and ask someone to proofread it. Spelling and formatting are important.
  • Send your application documents in a PDF format, if possible. Documents shared via Apple and Google drives may cause them to go into spam folders, and we may miss your application.
  • Read all documents and instructions carefully – we may not be able to shortlist you if information is missing from your application.
  • Send in your application early, do not delay.
  • Make sure we have the correct contact details for you, and your referees.
  • Get any vaccinations or licenses that you need.
  • Regularly check your email. If you receive a follow up email for further information, please respond to it as soon as possible. Incomplete submissions may remove you from selection.

Last updated: May 2025

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