Indigenous paramedic program

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.

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.