APA TAS is run completely by volunteer members, who also work as Paramedics, PTO's, Volunteers and EMD's. If you feel you can assist in anyway whatsoever (even for 1-2 hours a week), regardless of your specialist skill, please contact an APA TAS committee member.

APA TAS provides its membership with adequate legal and industrial representation for the workplace. If members wish to hold dual industrial memberships by joining HACSU, that is their choice. 
APA TAS works hard to advocate for the rights and workplace standards for its members. This includes raising significant EBA issues with the employer and influencing positive industrial changes.
APA TAS is working towards holding a seat at the EBA negotiations table in the future. 
 

All operational employees of Ambulance Tasmania are encouraged and welcome to join APA TAS. This includes Paramedics, Patient Transport Officers, Communication Centre Staff, Doctors, Nurses, and Volunteers.

APA membership tiers allow for the appropriate level of support for all Ambulance Tasmania operational staff. 

When an AT employee causes loss, damage, injury or death to a third party whilst working in the employment role and provided the employee has followed proper working procedures and protocols and has not been grossly negligent in carrying out their duties of employment, then the employer is legally responsible for the actions of the employee. In the unlikely event one was to be involved in a workplace matter which as part of one's duties attracted the potential for litigation the employer has this indemnity in place to provide protection to individual employees having external litigation brought against them.
APA TAS also provides Professional Indemnity Insurance to financial Paramedic up to $20,000,000. Members are provided with a Certificate of Currency when they join, and the policy refreshes each year. It is part of the National Regulation of Paramedics with AHPRA that they have appropriate Professional Indemnity Cover.
Legal assistance can be provided to members of APA TAS for employment and paramedic registration related matters. Allegations relating to criminal conduct, sexual harassment and other serious conduct may not be covered under the APA TAS Rules and By-Laws and as such each case will need to be reviewed on a case by case basis by the APA TAS Executive Committee in respect to this coverage. We understand each case is unique.

Legal assistance and advice can be provided to fee paying members of APA TAS in relation to an incident or allegation that arises in the course of their employment.  
In the first instance you need to contact APA TAS via the website member enquiry area (or by phone if urgent) and be prepared to advise the following information:

i.   The nature of the enquiry, implication or allegation.
ii.  The date of the alleged incident.
iii. The location of the alleged incident.
iv.  Any other material fact relating to the alleged incident.

Initial and ongoing approval for the provision of legal assistance is at the discretion of the APA TAS Executive Committee. Once a matter is referred to the legal team, members will receive legal representation. This may include but is not limited to having a lawyer attend an interview with Ambulance Tasmania, allocated investigators, the police or attendance in court.


If a lawyer's attendance is required it will be determined by the legal team in consultation with the APA TAS Executive Committee.

All members of the Executive Committee and our Senior Industrial Relations Advisor are available by email or phone to assist when required. All suggestions and comments are welcome. APA TAS is driven by its members, meaning the success and potential of APA TAS is dependent on members offering ideas, opinions, and standing together to become a united front for the ambulance industry.

What about talking to the media?

Only the Executive Committee are to liaise with any of the media outlets. This is to ensure accuracy and continuity of all outgoing information for use in the public domain. All requests for public comment are to be referred to the Executive Committee of APA TAS. Contact details are available via the "About Us" page, or try the "Contact Us" web form.

APA Tasmania is not industrially registered. APA TAS is an apolitical incorporated association with a free voice. We believe in not being constrained by politics nor are we involved in the union movement; therefore, we are not aligned to any political party and do not make political donations. We put our members first as we exist ONLY to help our members. What does this mean? We are not bound by the Industrial Act of Tasmania. While we cannot carry out industrial action, there are alternative means to collaborating and having your voice heard. We are not involved in EBA negotiations; however, we will ensure as a collective to advocate for our members and inform our employer if amendments are likely to result in disadvantage.

APA is in fact recognised by Equal Opportunity Tasmania as an ‘industrial organisation’. We do not condone discrimination, coercion, bullying or harassment and believe your right to choose industrial representation should be autonomous.

Rest assured - your voice will be heard – while our main focus is individual representation, we also advocate for positive organisational change

The APA TAS Executive Committee are constantly working incredibly hard for our members. Dealing with members issues is our primary role. The Executive Committee consists of frontline Paramedics from all across the State, who volunteer their time to see the Association grow. The Executive Committee participate in a regular teleconferences with our Industrial Advisor to manage all members issues big and small.
The current focus is on growing the membership and ensuring that all members have access to the help they need in the workplace. It takes commitment and dedication to keep the Association healthy and growing, but the reward is seeing our frontline peers be treated fairly and justly when we defend them. 

The APA TAS Executive are also committed to meeting with influential stakeholders to continually strive for improvements in the workplace. APA TAS have a memorandum of understanding with Ambulance Tasmania which includes scheduled meetings with the Chief Executive.

As a member of APA TAS you will be provided the opportunity to have your matter evaluated by our designated legal team (at no cost to you), who will advise on the best legal approach to handle your matter in the first instance. So long as your matter is covered by the Rules and By-Laws of the association you will usually be provided legal assistance. If it is deemed by our legal team that you require specialised legal assistance the matter will be discussed with you and the Executive Committee to determine the best course of action. Please be aware that costs incurred for legal assistance which is obtained outside the designated APA TAS legal team will not be covered by APA TAS.


APA TAS will provide support for such matters and if necessary and access to legal assistance. If you believe you need support or legal assistance, you need to use the member enquiry tab on the APA TAS website and provide the appropriate details. A Committee Member of APA TAS will contact you and discuss the case and determine how the matter is to be handled. If it is deemed that legal assistance is required at an interview with AT, an allocated investigator, the Police or for court attendance, it will be provided.  APA TAS also has an Industrial Relations Advisor that will be made available as a support person if required.

If you have an urgent legal enquiry (e.g. such as where you have been called into a meeting and your employment may be at risk), you can call the urgent legal advice line, on 0431 522 501.

You are covered from the moment you become a financial member of APA TAS for incidents that occur subsequently to you joining. If you have not received information from the Association within 7 days  via email after joining online, or bank deductions have not commenced on your nominated date, please contact us as soon as possible.

You will be covered as a member from the time you have become financial.