631 new paramedics joined Ambulance Victoria’s ranks in 2022, after the latest and final batch of the year were welcomed to the organisation.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams today welcomed the final recruits of the year, who will soon start working with Ambulance Victoria and saving lives across the state.
“We’ll keep delivering the resources and infrastructure our paramedics need, so they can keep delivering the best possible care to Victorians,” said Premier Andrews.
“On top of recruiting more paramedics, we’ll keep working in partnership with the workforce to deliver innovative and new ways to provide care as our ambos record demand.”
Throughout this year, recruits have joined branches across Victoria – including 239 in regional Victoria and 392 across Melbourne, with women making up about 65 per cent of new recruits.
During their induction, graduate paramedics learn vital skills such as how to safely move and load patients to prevent injuries, respond to incidents of violence and driving ambulance vehicles to ‘lights and sirens’ cases.
“Victoria has now recruited more than 1300 paramedics over the past two years to ensure that all Victorians can continue to get the lifesaving care they need, when they need it,” said Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams.
Graduate paramedics become fully qualified over the course of the year. After completing the Graduate Ambulance Paramedic (GAP) program, paramedics continue professional development and education for their entire careers.
In addition, 30 Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics have joined the ranks this year including paramedics from New Zealand and Canada.
The Victorian Government has expanded the paramedic workforce by more than 56 per cent since 2014 – an increase of more than 2,200 paramedics. Ambulance Victoria recruited 700 paramedics in 2021 – its single-largest annual recruitment ever.
The Victorian Government is now looking to establish the role of Paramedic Practitioners, recruit 40 additional MICA paramedics, create an Australian-first Centre for Paramedicine and review the existing arrangements for patient transport ambulances.
