- Additional 12.2 FTE paid paramedics to be rolled out in regional WA
- Albany, Geraldton, Broome, Carnarvon, and Jurien Bay to benefit from extra resources
- Part of Cook Government's ongoing commitment to boosting ambulance response
More paid paramedics will be deployed to key WA regional areas as part of the Cook Labor Government's ongoing commitment to support ambulance response capabilities in the bush.
By mid-2025 the additional paid paramedics are expected to begin work in Albany (4 FTE), Geraldton (2 FTE), Broome (2 FTE), Carnarvon (2 FTE) and Jurien Bay (1 FTE).
In Albany, this will include an additional paramedic crew on night shift seven days per week.
In Carnarvon, the additional paramedics will enable St John WA to commence a transition from a volunteer to a 'hybrid' model that will deliver faster and more consistent response times.
There will also be 1.2 FTE allocated to relief for country paramedics.
The Cook Government is dedicated to boosting paid paramedic resources in the regions, delivering an additional 43 FTE to regional sub-centres across the State under the new contract with St John WA which commenced in 2023.
The locations and number of paramedics allocated is determined in consultation with St John WA and the Department of Health based on demand and need in regional WA.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Government has a strong track record of boosting paid paramedics numbers in our region and has committed an extra 43 (FTE) paid paramedics in the past two years.
"We work closely with St John WA and the Department of Health to identify areas of need for extra resources, and these additional staff will go a long way to helping communities in the Great Southern, Kimberley and Mid West."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"These additional four paid paramedics are a huge boost for the Great Southern region, ensuring we have an additional crew on every night shift seven days a week.
"Our Albany substation does a fantastic job assisting our community, and I'm thrilled we are able to support them with extra resources."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"In the past two years we have seen four additional paid paramedics commence in Geraldton, a brand-new station, and now with this announcement we will see another two paid paramedics added to our local ambulance service.
"I am proud to be part of a Government that is doing what's right for Geraldton."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"I'd like to extend my thanks to each and every member of our Broome ambulance team for the work you do for our community.
"The Cook Government is proud to be delivering an additional 2 FTE of paid paramedics to continue this great work in Broome."
