[1] A leg-spinner, he made his first-class debut for Queensland in 1966–67 at the age of 19 and took 31 wickets at an average of 31.61,[2] including 7 for 73 in the second innings against South Australia in Brisbane.

[3] Paulsen was considered a contender for the 1968 tour of England, but his form in the 1967–68 season was not quite sufficient to justify his selection.

[5] He took 25 wickets in 1968–69, and 24 in 1969–70, but after that his form declined, and he lost his place in the Queensland team to Malcolm Francke.

Paulsen moved to Perth, and represented Western Australia regularly for three seasons.

[10] Perth won the Toyota Cup fifty over competition in 1979-80 largely due to Paulsen's spell in the final played at the WACA Ground.