Indigenous cadet paramedic program

Working as an Indigenous cadet paramedic

The Indigenous cadet paramedic program will give you the knowledge and skills you need to take care of people in an emergency or disaster. You’ll assess the scene, check their condition and give them care before they go to hospital.

Read the role description [PDF 400.27 KB] to learn about the work you’ll do as a cadet paramedic.

Program structure

Our program includes:

• a fully funded learning course through Central Queensland University
• full time work as a pre-hospital emergency response officer
• on the job mentoring and learning support
• paid study leave and tutoring, if you need it.

You can choose to do one or more of the following certificates or degrees.

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

How to apply

You can apply online when we advertise roles, or 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 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders of all learning needs and capabilities. Before you apply, check 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, 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 can ask 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 a strong connection and acceptance in the community where you’ll work

To show this, you can give us a written reference from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leader in your community. Community leaders who are helping us during the selection process can also recommend you.

To be successful you need to be a role model in your community and reflect their culture. You’ll have strong cultural connection, including kinship ties, family lineage, respect for Elders and spiritual relationships to land and country.

Belonging to your community and understanding their ways will help you give 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, contact the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority for a replacement. We’ll also accept your USI VET transcript.

You can also apply if you’re already doing a Bachelor of Paramedicine but you’ll need to study part time.

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.

We’re more likely to shortlist you if you already have a manual license or can show us your booking for a manual driving test.

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. You might have several rostered shifts or be on call.

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

Check that you meet our medical standards for paramedics [PDF 166.05 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

At the end of the program you need to register with Ahpra, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. 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 resources officer
• a cultural safety 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 may 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.

You’ll start working as a cadet at your chosen station when you finish the induction training.

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.