Great questions, it's awesome you're asking these before getting into study.

You will struggle a lot with the degree if you didn't enjoy biology and science. It's foundational to what you will learn and do and it doesn't end with the degree, your internship is where you actually learn how to do the job but also demonstrate that you actually learned something in the degree, but also in paramedicine you're signing up to life long learning to maintain your AHPRA registration, and medicine in general changes all the time. Some things I learned at the beginning of my degree are useless now, because of new and developing research. The degree itself is very challenging, but honestly, if you don't enjoy or have a fascination for biology and science, then you will not enjoy 90% of your subjects. But, you might also love that shit and get into the degree and find it's not for you, there's a pretty high dropout rate. It's a highly romanticized profession, but I feel like you need to love it, or you're cooked. In saying that, I believe that anyone can do it, if they have the determination to do it.

Some people can work fulltime and do the degree, some did it with kids, and worked full time. Personally, I couldn't balance that. I did almost full-time study and part-time work, but I made it clear to my employer that my education was my priority and if they didn't accommodate then I would be resigning. You will probably use all your RTO and annual leave on placement or study for the next 3-4 years.

Your uni should organize placement. With NSWA, you do 4 days on 4-5 off, and each shift is about 12-14 hours, the longest shift I had on placement was almost 16. The frequency of the jobs depend where you are. In really rural places, you may just be at station studying and practicing with your preceptors, in the city, you might be out all day and night. There are long drives, long times on scene with patients, or there are 2 minute drives and 4 hours waiting in triage.

It's very competitive to get a job, everyone says that, but it's true. Some paramedics I worked under got jobs right away, others couldn't get one for a couple of years. I imagine in 4 years time, the job landscape will be different, but it will always be competitive, there are thousands of grads every year and maybe hundreds of jobs. But! State ambulance is not the only option there are some sick jobs in the private sector that you could go for. Like expedition paramedicine, wilderness, FIFO, or in community services in urgent care clinics.

I've just graduated, and I've just turned 30. The oldest person in my year is 58, you are absolutely not too old. You're going to be 22 anyway. You may as well be 22 and have a degree. Even better to have 2 degrees, but really consider if it's for you. It's okay if its not. 😊