Working as a patient transport officer

Many of our patients can’t use community, public or private transport for medical reasons. As a Patient Ttransport Officer (PTO), you’ll drive them to hospitals, health care services and their homes using our ambulances.

Our patient transport service is for people who don’t need urgent medical care, but you’ll learn how to give basic care if someone needs it. You’ll get regular training and coaching while you work under our supervision.

Read the role description [PDF 381.61 KB] to learn about the work you’ll do as a PTO.

How to apply

You can apply online when we advertise jobs or fill in our patient transport officer expression of interest form.

Before you apply

Before you apply, check you’re eligible for the role. You may need to show evidence that you meet the following criteria in your application or expression of interest.

You can legally work in Australia

You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen to apply. You can also apply if you have a valid work visa.

You have first aid qualifications

You must have the following current first aid qualifications.

  • Provide first aid (HLTAID011)
  • Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HLTAID009)

Read more about first aid courses on the Queensland Government website. You'll need these qualifications before you apply.

You have additional qualifications or are willing to do more training

We offer 2 pathways:

  1. If you already hold a Certificate III in Non-Emergency Client Transport or equivalent, you can apply for a qualified PTO role
  2. If you don't have this qualification you can apply as a student PTO and complete the qualification in your first 6 months of work to become a qualified PTO.

Please read the Patient Transport Officer Course [PDF 471.46 KB] for information about the training you will receive as a student PTO.

You can drive a Light Rigid (LR) manual motor vehicle in Queensland

You’ll need a LR (or higher class) manual driver licence. You can still apply if you have one of the following licenses, but you’ll need an LR licence before you can be offered a position:

  • Queensland C class licence for a manual motor vehicle
  • Equivalent manual licence from another state or country

If your licence only permits you to drive an automatic vehicle, you won’t be able to apply.

Read more about licence types, classes and conditions on the Queensland Government website.

You meet the required medical standards

Check that you meet our medical standards for patient transport officers [PDF 267.05 KB] before you apply.

After you apply

You’ll participate in in a range of assessments for the role of PTO. As part of the recruitment process we may also do checks for your:

  • references and qualifications
  • criminal history
  • traffic history.

Learn more about our working for us.

Contact us

For more information, email our recruitment team at QAS.Recruitment@ambulance.qld.gov.au.

Last updated: February 2026

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