CQUniversity - CC70

Graduate Diploma of Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice) Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Advance your critical care paramedic practice through flexible online study, developing advanced clinical decision-making, trauma management and evidence-based practice skills enhanced by residential schools and simulation-based learning.

Course overview

The Graduate Diploma of Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice) is an online postgraduate qualification that can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time. Designed for experienced paramedics seeking to advance into critical care practice, the course combines flexible online learning with residential schools that support the development of advanced clinical knowledge and practical skills.

Throughout the course, you will strengthen your expertise in advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, pharmacology, diagnostics, trauma management and human performance optimisation in complex environments. Learning is supported through laboratory activities, simulation scenarios and residential schools, while dedicated evidence-based practice units develop your ability to integrate research into clinical decision-making. You will also gain exposure to contemporary critical care practices, including ultrasound.

On successful completion, you will graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice). The qualification prepares graduates for advanced critical care paramedic roles or equivalent clinical practice and provides a pathway into the Master of Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice).

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,775
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points (four units) per semester or 48 credit points (eight units) per year.

From $1,192 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. It is based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points (four units) per semester or 48 credit points (eight units) per year.
Intake
8th March, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma of Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice), you must successfully complete units totalling 48 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Core units

  • Advanced Clinical Assessment and Decision Making
  • Pharmacological Application in the Critical Care Setting
  • Human Performance Optimisation in Complex Environments
  • Evidence-based Practice 1
  • Advanced Critical Skills Application
  • Advanced Assessment, Diagnostic Interpretation and Management
  • Critical Care Management in Trauma
  • Evidence-based Practice 2

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:

  • A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor of Paramedic Science or equivalent.
  • Current registration as a Paramedic with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

English language requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent).
  • Or an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma-level qualification.
  • Or bachelor-level qualification study for a period of at least two years full-time with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subset.
  • Or a test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test).
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46.
  • Or an occupational English test with grades A or B only for each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of study and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Paramedic students' English language skills are directly aligned with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The Graduate Diploma Paramedic Science (Critical Care Practice) allows you to operate in the increasingly complex environment faced by paramedics on a daily basis.

If you are currently an Intensive Care Paramedic holding a previous Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification and wish to deepen your knowledge or are an Advanced Care Paramedic who wishes to practice as a Critical Care Paramedic (or state equivalent), this qualification provides a pathway for you to do so.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $30,200 (domestic full-fee paying place)

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
  • Depending on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.