Australia introduces bill to deliver paramedic practitioners in Victoria

The new specialised role will enable graduates to independently deliver urgent care.

The Australian government in Victoria has introduced the Paramedic Practitioners Bill 2024 into Parliament, allowing qualified paramedics to independently assess, diagnose, and treat various conditions on-site, without the need for hospital transfers.

The new specialised role will enable graduates to independently deliver urgent care and prescribe and administer scheduled medicines on-site, helping to reduce pressure on the state’s ambulance services and emergency departments.

The first cohort of 30 paramedics is currently undertaking the master’s degree for Paramedic Practitioners at Monash University, with a second cohort set to begin in 2025.

They are expected to treat a range of conditions upon graduation, including urinary catheter care, wound closure, minor infections, and fractures.