APC Entry Pathways

Concerns about being smart enough to study are very common. We’re here to assure you’re not alone, and many of our students who have shared these worries have found the supportive learning environment of APC helped them overcome any initial doubts they had very quickly! 

Through a combination of our incredible Trainers & Assessors, Student Success Team as well as private Facebook forum where you can connect with other students – there’s a range of support at your fingertips as a student.

We’re pleased to share – the answer is no!

While there are some important entry requirements to be eligible to study at APC, we are passionate about giving people of all backgrounds a chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification. Feel free to check out our FAQs to learn more.

In the meantime, here’s some skills and attributes which are typical of an emergency healthcare professional – see which ones resonate with you to see if you’d be a good fit for the industry! 

• Effective communication: Demonstrating excellent bedside manners and communicating with patients clearly and professionally, even during an emergency.
• Empathy: Showing compassion towards patients and being empathetic towards their needs when they are unwell or feeling vulnerable.
• Collaboration: Working in a team environment alongside other healthcare professionals to deliver service excellence in patient care.
• Adaptability and understanding: Have experience in supporting diverse patient populations and medical conditions ensuring the patient’s needs are always met.

Yes, absolutely!

At APC we understand students have other important commitments such as full-time jobs that they need to focus on whilst studying too. This is why our courses are designed to be flexible, so you can study at your own pace when it suits you!

Many of our students work while studying, especially those who are looking to change careers or upskill in their current field.

APC is a great choice to get you started in the emergency healthcare sector. 

There are many career pathways you can take as an APC graduate that do not require you to go to university, which you can learn more about here.

The best part is we are partnered with 15+ organisations across Australia and New Zealand which means students can complete their Clinical Placement alongside healthcare experts as part of their study journey. These incredible opportunities give students the chance to not only learn from real industry professionals and gain hands-on experience, but also increases their chances of securing a job following graduation too!

There are a number of wonderful career pathways you can take in the prehospital healthcare industry that do not require you to attend university! You can learn about some popular healthcare professions here. 

To be able to work as a registered State Ambulance Paramedic, you are required to hold a relevant Paramedic Science/ Paramedicine Bachelor’s degree from university and be Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered. For those residing in New Zealand, you’re required to be registered with Te Kaunihera Manapou Paramedic Council. 

While this may be the case – one of the most popular pathways to become a Registered Paramedic is to complete a HLT51020 Diploma of Emergency Health Care first.

What are the benefits to completing the Diploma first?

1. If you do not have an ATAR or a high enough ATAR/NCEA, the Diploma can act as a bridging or stepping stone qualification to help you gain entry to the Bachelor’s degree.
2. What you learn in the Diploma is very similar to what you will learn in your first year of university, making what you do have to complete in that first year a lot easier and less stressful as you will already have that foundational knowledge.
3. You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning which can shorten your degree. This will vary on your chosen university and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
4. The biggest advantage is becoming nationally qualified across Australia to start working in the private sector as soon as you graduate from APC! This means you can have the advantage of working in the industry whilst studying your degree, which means you’ll have more practical experience and confidence as a healthcare professional when you graduate from university.

Learn more about university pathways here, or simply fill out the form on this page to speak to one of our friendly Course Advisors directly about your options.