Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: January, September
Fees
$17,809.00^
^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities feeFee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.
Duration
1 year part-time
Entry Requirements
Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing or Paramedicine obtained from this university or another recognised university. A minimum of two (2) years’ full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in a critical care environment. Intern and first year of practice years are excluded from these two (2) years of experience. A current and complete CV demonstrating these minimum requirements must be submitted for approval by the Course Coordinator prior to enrolment into the course. Please note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection
Course Code
77111
Course detail
Advance your career in Medicine, Nursing, or Paramedicine by gaining the specialised knowledge and skills required to provide clinical care within the prehospital and aeromedical retrieval systems. This revised exciting and highly engaging course prepares you to develop expertise in managing pre-hospital and retrievals taskings, aligned with Australian and international healthcare standards. Learn to navigate the complexities of patient transport using fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and jets in both domestic and global contexts.
The four subjects that make up the Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine mix the online with the face-to-face delivery and teaching styles.
The subject Foundations of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine introduces you to the essential principles of patient retrieval, with a focus on aviation physiology and its influence on clinical teams, equipment, and transport platforms. It also covers the operational foundations of retrieval coordination and clinical governance, preparing students for the realities of frontline practice.
Clinical Skills for Prehospital Retrieval Medicineby translating theory into practice. In this mixed modal delivery, off online and face to face learning, you will be encouraged to apply your existing clinical expertise to the retrieval setting—managing patients from the scene, through in-flight care, to final handover—while developing advanced decision-making and procedural skills grounded in evidence-based care.
In Adult Retrieval Medicine, this focus is on the assessment and management of critically ill adults, particularly in time-sensitive and treatment-critical scenarios. You will explore the complexities of delivering care in retrieval environments, including whole of care team dynamics and the physiological challenges of flight.
Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval Medicine will equip you with the foundational specialised knowledge required to care for infants and children during retrieval from one location to another. It addresses clinical coordination, team roles, and platform selection, while highlighting the unique considerations of neonatal and paediatric care in flight.
Together, these subjects offer a cohesive and practical learning experience, preparing you to be industry ready to deliver high-acuity care across diverse retrieval settings and to lead and be part of multidisciplinary teams in one of healthcare’s most dynamic and impactful fields.
Consult the handbook for further information.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine.
JCU’s Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine prepares you to thrive in one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of healthcare. Built on strong clinical and operational foundations, this course ensures you graduate industry-ready, with the confidence and capability to perform in high-pressure environments.
You’ll be equipped for roles such as retrieval physician, flight nurse, or flight paramedic, with opportunities in government health services, not-for-profit organisations, the military, and international NGOs. Graduates often work in remote, rural, and resource-limited settings—both in Australia and abroad—delivering critical care where it’s needed most.
By developing specialised skills in prehospital and aeromedical retrieval, you’ll broaden your career options and be ready to lead in multidisciplinary teams across a wide range of healthcare contexts.
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD17,809.00
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
Learn more about fees and financial support
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this Diploma, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Real stories
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Student
Ben Turner
Graduate Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval
I have a big love for pre hospital trauma and I would really love to pursue a career in aeromedical retrieval in a civilian and military capacity. This course is the only one of its kind in Australia and it is giving me the base and knowledge I need to expand my career, especially the aerial and the marine diving side.
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Alumni
Dr Richard Harris SC OAM
Graduate Certificate of Aeromedical Retrieval
The highlight of my 2 years study was visiting the campus to do a study block. As an experienced medical professional already, it was fantastic for me to meet the other students and lecturers who shared my interests. All in all, it was a great experience.
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Lecturer
Anita Wall
Aeromedical Retrieval
Pre-hospital and aeromedical retrieval medicine is a highly specialised work environment. This course, and our job, is to teach students how to apply their critical care training and experience, be that from medicine, nursing or paramedicine, to this unique retrieval environment.