The body representing Australia’s paramedics is pushing for professional registration for its members.
Neil Noble from Paramedics Australia says members are university trained and highly skilled.
He says they want to be held accountable, just like doctors and nurses.
“We’re seen as the poor country cousins to other healthcare and allied health workers,” he said.
“What we would like is for us to advance into a professional level status.
“Currently we are protected by the state ambulance bodies that we work for under their medical directors but what we are looking for is for a paramedic to become autonomous with their practice anywhere in Australia.”
The issue is expected to be discussed at an international conference beginning on the Gold Coast today.