Graduate Diploma of Community Paramedicine

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Diploma of Community Paramedicine can:

1. Communicate complex medical and paramedical knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate an advanced level of extended care Paramedicine.
2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic extended care Paramedicine contexts.
3. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, appraise and operate in complex and dynamic extended care Paramedicine professional environments.

Designed to provide the paramedic with the necessary knowledge and skills for a career in extended care. The course focuses on the clinical issues directly related to practice and develops a greater depth of understanding to enhance clinical decision making and critical thinking. Students will learn advanced-level clinical knowledge to apply to their daily paramedical practice, while at the same time learning advanced skills in evidence-based practice and research. The combination of advanced clinical knowledge and applied research knowledge and skills provides students with the ability to continuously improve their own clinical practice, as well as impact on the organisation they are employed by and the broader healthcare community.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Advanced Clinical Examination and Leadership for Paramedics
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 1
• Ageing, Health and Wellbeing.

Plus a choice of electives, as listed below. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 120 credit points.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students must select one of the following units:

• Advanced Obstetrics for Paramedics
• Paediatrics for Critical Care Paramedics
• Humanitarian and Complex Disaster Response
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Drug Use and Addictive Behaviours.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $27,550

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants.

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in Paramedicine, or have completed a Graduate Certificate of Extended Care Paramedicine, with equivalents considered. Alternatively applicants can have equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, or AHPRA Registration (Australia) or equivalent from HCPC (UK) or Paramedic Council (NZ), with equivalents considered.

Alternatively applicants can have equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, or AHPRA Registration (Australia) or equivalent from HCPC (UK) or Paramedic Council (NZ), with equivalents considered.

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page for Band 4;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page for Band 4.

If you have completed units of study in another Postgraduate course or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal.