Paramedic
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$139,700
Full-time annual
People employed
17,500
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assesses, diagnoses, treats and provides specialised health care and life support treatment for patients in a range of settings, including medical emergencies, in an out-of-hospital environment.
Scope note: Critical Care Paramedics are excluded from this occupation. Critical Care Paramedics are included in Occupation 269431 Critical Care Paramedic.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Attends accidents and medical emergencies
- Assesses, manages, diagnoses and treats patients with life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries and conditions, on site and on the way to the hospital
- Documents and provides medication to assist in treating patient symptoms
- Prepares reports on the state of patients' injuries and treatment provided
- Briefs other medical staff on patients' conditions and vitals
- Performs resuscitation and uses life support equipment such as a defibrillator, to revive and stabilise patients
- May transport sick and injured patients to health care facilities
- May attend public gatherings where medical help may be needed, such as sporting or community events
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
17%
Female rate
45%
Median age
37
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+11%
3,129 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
6,374 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Basic Health Care
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Health Care
Progression pathway
Diploma of Emergency Health Care
Progression pathway
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
8
ACT · May 2026
1
VIC · May 2026
14
NT · May 2026
2
SA · May 2026
4
NSW · May 2026
12
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Paramedic.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North East
825 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North East
825 employed
WA
+13.17%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner
775 employed
VIC
+1.97%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - West
713 employed
VIC
-1.25%
year on year
- 4
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
669 employed
NSW
+2.14%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - Outer West and Blue Mountains
667 employed
NSW
-24.03%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
19,610
Moved in from another occupation
1,865
Moved to another occupation
570
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 269432
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.