Advanced care paramedics attempts to appeal QAS decision

A Sunshine Coast paramedic has attempted to take the Queensland Ambulance Service to court after they told him he would need to move across the state to become a permanent employee.

A Sunshine Coast paramedic has attempted to take the Queensland Ambulance Service to court, claiming they unfairly attached conditions to his request to become a permanent employee.

Advanced care paramedic Bryce Anthony Raymond, who worked in the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions, filed a public sector appeal in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission against the Queensland Ambulance Service after he attempted to convert to a permanent role.

Mr Raymond had been employed on a casual basis since February 2022, meaning he was eligible to convert to a permanent contract after two years as a public sector employee.

He became eligible for this conversion in February 2024.

The court documents state if a number of requirements are met, and it is accepted by both parties Mr Raymond met this criteria, they must offer an eligible casual employee a permanent conversion.

Initially, the QAS falsely rejected Mr Raymond’s claim due to “breaks in continuity of service”, however this was later corrected and QAS offered him a conversion to a permanent role, but only in three locations.

Mr Raymond was offered a permanent role in Warwick, Mt Isa or Goondiwindi, but not in the Sunshine Coast or Wide Bay areas.

“In addition to the above, there are currently limited opportunities for placement into certain locations within the Metro North and South Regions,” the letter from QAS, quoted in the court documents, read.

QAS said there was no vacancy for Mr Raymond in the region he was already working in.

“The Respondent further submitted that they were unable to offer a permanent position within the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Region based on the Appellant’s preferences, due to their being no vacant capacity and their operational requirements,” the court documents stated.

Mr Raymond argued there did not need to be a vacant position in order for his employment to be converted to a permanent contract.

Industrial commissioner Roslyn McLennan ultimately decided there were no grounds for Mr Raymond to lodge an appeal, given QAS had fulfilled their duty by offering him a permanent role.

“The Respondent is not required to consider conversion into the specific position that the Appellant is employed in, or the specific location of the position,” Ms McLennan said.

“The requirement is for the Respondent to consider whether there is a continuing need for someone to be employed in the employee’s role, or a role that is substantially the same as the employee’s role. The Respondent has done that in my view.”

The matter was dismissed on January 28, 2025.

A QAS spokeswoman said rural roles were often incentivised in the force to ensure adequate paramedic numbers were dispersed across the state.

“QAS workforce planning and management practices ensure effective staffing levels are achieved throughout the organisation to fulfil our service obligations statewide,” she said.

“This includes incentivising opportunities in rural and remote locations and ensuring permanent employment opportunities are offered in a fair and equitable manner, based on genuine operational requirements.”

Originally published as Advanced care paramedics attempts to appeal QAS decision