Medical radiation practitioner use licence

Who needs this licence?

You will need this licence if you seek to use a radiation source as a medical radiation practitioner.

Medical radiation practitioners are registered with Aphra in one of the following divisions:

• diagnostic radiographer
• nuclear medicine technologist
• radiation therapist.

See rural or remote radiography if you are a rural or remote area health sector employee with a clinical or health service need to perform diagnostic radiography.

See medical practitioner use licence if you are a seeking a licence to use radiation sources as a medical practitioner, medical specialist or registrar.

Application exemptions—prescribed licensees

The following student medical radiation practitioners do not need to apply for a licence to use the specified radiation sources for the specified activities, if they are undertaking supervised activities:

1. as part of an approved program of study for the medical radiation practice profession, or
2. as part of clinical training in the medical radiation practice profession.

Student diagnostic radiographers

Persons registered by Ahpra to practise as students in the diagnostic radiographer division of the medical radiation practice profession may use the following types of X-ray imaging apparatus:

• plain diagnostic imaging X-ray apparatus for plain diagnostic imaging
• fluoroscopic imaging X-ray apparatus for general procedures or interventional angiographic procedures
• computed tomography imaging X-ray apparatus for computed tomography
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry apparatus for bone mineral densitometry
• mammographic imaging X-ray apparatus for mammographic imaging

Student radiation therapists

Persons registered by Ahpra to practise as students in the radiation therapist division of the medical radiation practice profession may use the following types of ionising radiation apparatus:

• plain diagnostic imaging X-ray apparatus for radiation therapy treatment planning
• computed tomography imaging X-ray apparatus for radiation therapy treatment planning
• kilovoltage energy or megavoltage energy X-ray or electron beam radiation therapy radiation apparatus for radiation therapy

Student nuclear medicine technologists

Persons registered by Ahpra to practise as students in the nuclear medicine technology division of the medical radiation practice profession may use the following types of radiation sources:

• computed tomography imaging X-ray apparatus for nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging
• unsealed radioactive substances in the form of a radiopharmaceutical for nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry apparatus for bone mineral densitometry
• sealed radioactive substances for nuclear medicine quality assurance

Find out more information about students being prescribed licensees (PDF 839 kB).

Although prescribed licensees do not need to apply for a licence, they are still use licensees under the Act and are required to comply with all elements of the Act as is the case for all other use licensees.

Responsibilities of a use licensee

As part of your responsibilities as a use licensee you will need to:

• only use a radiation source for the practice described in your use licence
• only use a radiation source if the possession licensee has specified that you may
• comply with the possession licensees approved radiation safety and protection plan for the radiation practice and your individual responsibilities detailed in it
• ensure that the procedure has been authorised by an authorised person.

You are required to comply with Radiation Safety Act 1999 and the Code for radiation protection in medical exposure (2019).

Apply for a use licence

Use this form if you are medical radiation practitioner and seek to use radiation equipment or radioactive substance to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure:

• Application for a licence to use a radiation source—medical radiation practitioner (PDF 898 kB)

Your application needs to include:

• 2 proof of identity documents
• a certified copy of your qualifications e.g. degree, professional recognition
• evidence of your professional registration
• evidence of your experience using the radiation source

Required training and competency

You will need to demonstrate that you have undergone both theoretical and practical training using the radiation source safely and effectively for the type of radiation procedure.

Evidence of these competencies will depend on your individual education and experience but is commonly achieved via:

• educational institutions with suitable training programs—offering theoretical and practical hands-on competencies as a part of the course
• practical hands-on experience under a licensed supervisor—who provides a statement certifying that you have completed sufficient practical training and are competent to perform the radiation procedure.

Example statement of competency templates for some professions:

• Diagnostic radiographer—statement of competency (PDF 21 kB)
• Radiation therapist—statement of competency (PDF 19 kB)

Licence duration

A use licence can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.

You will be sent a renewal application form 40 days before your licence expires. It is your responsibility to ensure that you renew your licence before the expiry of the licence if you wish to continue using radiation sources.

Fees

If you do not hold a current licence you will need to pay an application fee and a licence fee.

See schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay. Your form will only be considered a complete application once payment has been made.