2023/24 annual summary

Paramedicine in 2023/24

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2023/24 annual report Download the
Board's data tables

Registration

25,345 paramedics
- Up 4.9% from 2022/23
- 2.8% of all registered health practitioners
2,001 first-time registrants
- 1,960 domestic (including new graduates)
- 41 international
2.1% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Gender

Female	Male
50.6%	49.3%

50.6% Female
49.3% Male

Age

<259.9%
25-3440.7%
35-4422.3%
45-5415.9%
55-649.8%
65-741.4%
75+0.1%

Regulation

152 notifications lodged with Ahpra about 111 paramedics
293 notifications about 225 paramedics made Australia-wide, including HPCA and OHO data
- 0.9% of the profession Australia-wide

Sources of notifications

36.2% Patient, relative or member of the public
27.0% Employer
20.4% Other practitioner
7.9% Police, government or co-regulator
3.9% Board initiated
4.6% Other

Most common types of complaints

18.4% Clinical care
15.8% Offence against other law
13.8% Health impairment
11.2% Boundary violation
10.5% Behaviour
30.3% Other

Notifications closed

148 notifications closed

6.1% Conditions imposed on registration or an undertaking accepted
5.4% Cautioned or reprimanded
5.4% Registration suspended or cancelled or disqualified from applying
5.4% Referred to another body or retained by a health complaints organisation
77.7% No further regulatory action (including where practitioner has taken steps to address)

10 immediate actions taken
40 mandatory notifications received
- 15 about professional standards
- 13 about impairment
- 7 about alcohol or drugs
- 5 about sexual misconduct
22 practitioners monitored for health, performance and/or conduct
14 criminal offence complaints made
8 notifications decided by a tribunal
No matters decided by a panel
1 appeal lodged

Advanced practice

Paramedics have long been recognised for their exceptional skills in urgent care situations. However, as the healthcare needs of the community change, so does the role that paramedics can play in primary and community care settings. Paramedicine functions in an environment of rapid change, and modern healthcare trends in Australia and overseas continue to influence the skills and capabilities of paramedics. This includes how paramedics contribute beyond a first-response role and whether there is a role for advanced practice in paramedicine.

As the national regulator, the Paramedicine Board of Australia is keen to understand the challenges, opportunities and regulatory infrastructure needed to provide a flexible, responsive and sustainable workforce. To explore these matters, the Board invited senior state, territory and Commonwealth representatives, private and public sector employers, education providers, community groups and regulatory bodies for a one-day national forum to consider the future practice of the profession, including advanced practice.

The Board thanks everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.

The Australian health ministers have agreed to work with the Board to establish area-of-practice endorsement for advanced practice paramedicine. This includes reviewing applicable aspects of critical care and community paramedicine elements, along with full access to independent prescribing rights outside the state ambulance services. This is an important piece of work that highlights the important role paramedics can play in the health workforce.

Accreditation

The Board appreciates and acknowledges the important work undertaken by the Paramedicine Accreditation Committee in exercising the accreditation function for the paramedicine profession.

The Board joined the other National Boards in reviewing the accreditation arrangements for their professions and agreed to continue to assign the accreditation functions to the Paramedicine Accreditation Committee for the period 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2029.

Policy updates

The Board participated in the ongoing cross-profession reviews of registration standards including those related to criminal history, English language skills, recency of practice and continuing professional development. It continued to routinely review and update other published material to ensure it is up-to-date, clear and accurate.

Stakeholder engagement

The Board implemented an enhanced communications and engagement strategy for the profession.

Other news

Health ministers communicated their decision on appointments and reappointments to the Board.

Ministers appointed Dr Simon Sawyer (practitioner member Victoria) and Mr Sam Perillo (practitioner member Australian Capital Territory) to the Board to replace retiring practitioner members Associate Professor Ian Patrick ASM and Mr Howard Wren ASM. The knowledge, insight and experience that both Ian and Howard have contributed to the Board over the past seven years have been invaluable in transitioning the profession into the regulatory scheme.

All other members were reappointed for a further term including my continuing role as Paramedicine Board Chair.

Professor Stephen Gough ASM, Chair

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2023/24 annual report See the complete set of
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