Paramedics in Australia

A paramedic in Australia is a health care professional who responds to and treats all types of medical and trauma emergencies outside of a hospital setting before and during transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Paramedics also work in the inter-facility transport environment where a paramedic will continue or upgrade medical care to a higher level while transporting a patient from one healthcare facility to another. Paramedics are able to treat patients in the pre-hospital setting, and can transport them to a hospital-based emergency department if deemed necessary. In Australia, use of the term "paramedic" is not restricted, registered or licensed. There are currently substantial efforts in Australia to change this situation, most notably through Paramedics Australasia and the Australian & New Zealand College of Paramedicine. Prior to the 1990s most paramedics were known as "ambulance officers".