Paramedics say they have been "screaming" warnings about ambulance response times and it is reflected in the latest data showing the pace has slowed.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) on Thursday published its response time data for the April to June quarter.
It revealed almost two-thirds (64.2 per cent) of urgent cases received a response within the target timeframe of 15 minutes, down from 67.7 per cent across January and March.
The Victorian Ambulance Union acknowledged response times have deteriorated but said no paramedic would be surprised.
"The entire workforce has been screaming 'iceberg right ahead', and now the ship is sinking," union secretary Danny Hill said.
Mr Hill said paramedics are spending more time ramped at hospitals and responding to trivial cases rather than responding to genuine emergency patients.
But AV suggested paramedics reached Code 1 patients faster on average than a year ago despite a five per cent increase in demand.
Code 1 cases can include heart attacks, strokes and car accidents.
The services' executive director of regional operations Danielle North said performance has improved following the "busiest quarter ever", with more than 102,000 Code 1 cases.
The previous record of 100,238 was set in the last three months of 2022.
"That's nearly 5000 more ‘lights and sirens’ cases compared to the same time last year and a huge 35.2 per cent more Code 1 cases than before the pandemic five years ago," Ms North said.
"The entire health system continues to be extremely busy due to seasonal illnesses."
Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas confirmed flu, COVID-19 and RSV were taking a toll on paramedics, with record demand placing "real pressure" on the health system.
Paramedics in the state have staged five months of industrial action following stalled talks over improved pay and conditions.
Ambulance Victoria's leadership has also faced two no-confidence votes in the past week, with the union calling for the state government to appoint new management.
Ms Thomas ruled out placing AV into administration, saying a resolution to enterprise agreement talks needed to be a priority.
"I share the frustration that our paramedics feel," Ms Thomas told reporters.
"I don't want to see paramedics working outrageous amounts of overtime, I want to make sure that we have safe working practices."
