Hi everyone,
I’m based on the Central Coast (NSW) and have been seriously looking into becoming a paramedic, but I’m a bit stuck on the entry pathway.
I finished Year 12 in 2021 but don’t have an ATAR. From what I’ve seen, it looks like you can’t go straight into a paramedicine degree without one — so I wanted to ask:
- Has anyone here gotten into paramedicine without an ATAR?
- Did you go through TAFE, a bridging course, or another degree first and then transfer?
- What would you say is the best pathway in NSW?
I’ve wanted to do paramedics since high school but went down a different career path, and I’ve realised I really don’t enjoy sitting in front of a computer all day — I’d much rather be doing something hands-on and meaningful.
I’m also curious about the actual lifestyle side of the job:
- How do you manage work/life balance with shift work?
- If you have regular commitments (like sport, volunteering, etc.), how realistic is it to keep those going? (For example, I do SES training every Monday night)
And lastly — for anyone in NSW/Sydney or Central Coast:
- What uni did you go to, and would you recommend it?
Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any advice or personal experiences 😊