Australian Catholic University (ACU)
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Earn dual qualifications as a registered nurse and paramedic in this 4-year double degree. Combining clinical practice with theoretical knowledge, you'll be prepared for diverse healthcare roles in hospitals, emergency services and community settings across Australia.
Applicants must have completed Year 12 or equivalent with specific English prerequisites varying by state. ATAR requirement is 80.00 for Ballarat campus. Non-school leavers with VET qualifications, higher education study, or relevant work experience may qualify through alternative pathways. Applicants aged 21+ can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). English language proficiency must be demonstrated according to ACU's Admission to Coursework Programs Policy. Adjustment factors may apply for particular subjects, regional location, or elite athlete status.
Year 1 covers Indigenous Health and Culture, Evidence for Practice, Human Biological Science (1 & 2), and foundational nursing and paramedicine practice. Year 2 introduces specialized nursing principles in surgical, mental health, and medical contexts, alongside paramedicine theory and primary care practice. Year 3 includes chronic illness and disability nursing, paramedicine medical theory and practice, health care ethics, and palliative care approaches. Year 4 focuses on extended clinical reasoning, contemporary nursing leadership, complex paramedicine care, and high acuity situations. All units total 320 credit points and include core curriculum components emphasizing insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
ACU is ranked 4th in Australia and 14th worldwide for nursing, graduating more nurses than any other Australian institution. The university offers the largest paramedicine degree program in Australia and is accredited by both the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Paramedicine Accreditation Committee. ACU employs learner-centred teaching approaches with case studies and authentic learning experiences, supported by modern lab equipment and multiple campus locations. The institution provides comprehensive student support systems, scholarships, and opportunities for international study placements.
Graduates qualify for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as both nurses and paramedics, opening diverse career pathways. Nursing graduates can pursue roles in medical/surgical nursing, emergency care, aged care, mental health, maternal and infant care, community services, and clinical leadership. Paramedics can work in pre-hospital emergency care, medical dispatch, and with further study, become intensive care paramedics, team leaders, or special operations rescue paramedics. The dual qualification provides flexibility to work across hospital and community healthcare settings, with opportunities for clinical supervision, training roles, and health administration positions.
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