More paramedics hitting the road across Victoria

Ambulance Victoria (AV) has recruited 119 new paramedics since November to help respond to record demand and save lives across Victoria.

AV Operational Capability Director Trevor Weston today welcomed 20 new recruits who started their careers at AV on 28 April 2025 with a four-week induction program.

“Our paramedics, volunteers and support staff are our greatest assets,” Mr Weston said.

“It is through them that Ambulance Victoria continues to lead the way in patient care, including the nation’s best cardiac arrest survival rates.

“We now have just below 5,000 on-road paramedics delivering the very best lifesaving care, everywhere, and it’s great to see more joining our ranks.”

After their induction, the 20 new recruits will hit the road and join experienced paramedic crews on 26 May 2025. Of the latest intake, 14 will be going to branches in Regional Victoria and six in Metropolitan Melbourne.

In Regional Victoria, this includes:

• 4 in the Barwon South Region (Belmont MATS team and Leopold MATS team)
• 4 in the Gippsland Region (Wonthaggi MATS team, Morwell MATS team)
• 2 in the Grampians Region (Wendouree MATS team)
• 2 in the Loddon Mallee Region (Eaglehawk MATS team)
• 2 in the Hume Region (Shepparton MATS team)

The recruits undertake a comprehensive induction and training program giving them the ‘real world’ skills they need to hit the road with experienced paramedics.

Mr Weston said since the introduction of Australia’s first ambulance officers training course in 1961, Victoria has remained a leader in paramedic education.

“In Victoria, we are proud to have some of the most highly trained and skilled paramedics in Australia,” Mr Weston said.

“During their induction, our new recruits learnt vital skills such as safely moving and loading patients to prevent injuries, aggression and assault prevention, and safely driving ambulance vehicles.

“Graduate paramedics initially work under supervision of clinical instructors to assist with the transition from the classroom and integrate into day-to-day team responsibilities and activities.

“However, training continues throughout their entire careers to ensure patients receive the very best, and most up-to-date life-saving care – and paramedics stay safe while they are doing so.

“Like all our hardworking paramedics, these new recruits have chosen this path because they are compassionate and courageous and want to make a difference to the community.

“It takes a special kind of person to do that, and I wish them all long and reward careers at Ambulance Victoria.”