Sights, sounds and simulation – inside Victoria’s new paramedic training centre

A new Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine which simulates the sights, sounds and stress of real-world scenarios will help prepare trainee paramedics for the realities of their new profession, when it opens next month in Melbourne.

Delivered by Victoria University and co-funded by the Victoria State Government, the Centre will use digital simulation and virtual reality to recreate events like music festivals, sporting events and traffic incidents with striking realism.

Through these simulations, students can practice giving life-saving treatment to mannequins, against a backdrop of loud music, jostling crowds, and unpleasant bodily odours. Floor rumbling and temperatures changes can also be recreated.

Although seemingly off-putting, students - who helped co-design the facility - say they value the opportunity to practice in lifelike settings.

“It’s crucial that we go beyond textbook and classroom education and get students equipped for life beyond their studies,” said Chief Employment and Engagement Officer, Patrice O’Brien, whose team has led the establishment of the facility.

“Paramedicine is such a meaningful profession, and it’s so important we support those who make this their vocation by giving them the absolute best training and preparation possible,”

The Centre also includes an outdoor pavilion, with a replica ambulance station housing three decommissioned ambulances.

“This allows students to practice transferring patients from vehicle to hospital emergency departments, which can be a difficult task for newly qualified workers,” Patrice added.

A growing need

The need for real-world training is growing, Patrice said, with today’s paramedics facing greater health challenges than their predecessors.

With an ageing population, escalating chronic disease epidemic, and climate disasters, future graduates may have it even tougher.

Statistics show that by 2030, Australia will have a major shortfall of healthcare workers as it grapples with a skill deficit and unprecedented demand for healthcare services.

“Our students already receive strong preparation for these realities, including how to respond to challenging situations that require de-escalation. But the Centre will take that training to another level,” Patrice said.

“Paramedics work across a diverse range of situations in people’s homes and in the community and the reality is, even during placement, students don’t come across every possible scenario.

“With realistic, immersive simulations, they will be able to build their clinical skills, confidence, resilience and decision making, in a safe environment, before applying them in the real world.”

Striking a balance

The Centre was co-designed by students, teaching staff, and industry, particularly Ambulance Victoria. All contributors agreed on how much reality the simulations should contain.

“It was really important to get the perspectives from all sides,” Patrice said. “We know that industry is keen for real world simulation in training, as it helps prepare students for the profession ahead of them.

“But it was interesting that all parties were keen to see a high degree of resemblance to some of the more difficult callouts a paramedic might attend.”

Despite this, Patrice said the intensity of each simulation will be continuously refined, based on student feedback.

Mental health support

Given the complex nature of paramedicine education, students can also access a range of mental health supports.

Before entering a simulation, students sit in a thoughtfully designed pod in a lounging area, where they can mentally prepare, alongside a partner. This mirrors the discussions that occur between paramedics on their way to a job.

The simulation in these spaces is streamed into the classroom so that students who aren’t participating can still be included in the learning experience.

After each session, students are debriefed and can decompress in the lounging area before re-entering the classroom.

Patrice said these guardrails reflect real-world best practice.

“We know these interventions can help for paramedics who are already working out in the field,” she said.

Course redesign

Alongside these simulations, Victoria University has a range of innovations to bridge the gap between training and field work.

It recently updated its entire suite of paramedicine courses to better reflect the realities of modern paramedicine, with stronger links between theory, practice, simulation and placement.

Courses will also have an improved focus on mental health, with self-care skills taught throughout each course.

“Mental health and self-care are crucial aspects of industry readiness and something that will feature extensively at the Centre,” Patrice said.

Diversity at the core

The university also has a range of innovations to provide cultural safety and welcoming spaces for First Nations students.

Its outdoor learning spaces are bounded by native gardens and feature plants used in traditional Aboriginal healing practices.

Diversity is also a key pillar of its simulation content and course redesign.

“The Centre will actively recruit and support diverse students - building a strong and diverse future paramedicine workforce that’s reflective of the communities they serve is a key priority,” Patrice said.

Research with impact

Research projects are already underway under the banner of the Centre of Excellence.

Working with Ambulance Victoria, Associate Professor Khandakar Ahmed and his team at Victoria University are developing a tool that forecasts ambulance offload delays and optimised routing decisions.

Patrice said the focus of projects is industry impact.

“While everyone in the community can appreciate challenges in our health sector, it’s important improvements are evidence-led,” she said.

Further insight

The Centre’s development has been guided by an expert Advisory Board, chaired by the late Professor Tony Walker (previous CEO of Ambulance Victoria).

The Board included simulation experts and representatives from Ambulance Victoria, Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria, Victoria Police, Western Health and Triple Zero.

Sharing more on how the collaboration works, Patrice will present at the upcoming National Health & Innovation Precincts Summit.

This year’s event will be held 2-3 December 2026 at Melbourne Connect, with a Discovery Day on 1 December.

Learn more and register your tickets here.