Licence prerequisites for operators of - EPA - SA.gov.au

Radiation Protection Information Sheet 

Licence prerequisites for operators of diagnostic X-ray 

apparatus 

Issued January 2013 

EPA 986/13 This information sheet details the prerequisites required for persons wishing to apply for a licence to operate 

an ionising radiation apparatus for dental, medical, veterinary or chiropractic purposes. 

1 Introduction 

Under section 31 of the Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982 persons operating ionising radiation apparatus are 

required to be licensed unless they are of a prescribed class. For diagnostic purposes only persons who operate 

apparatus according to the instructions of a veterinary surgeon are of a prescribed class, under the conditions specified in 

Regulation 57(2) of the Radiation Protection and Control (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2000 (the Regulations). 

All other applicants must either possess the qualifications as prescribed in regulation 58 of the Regulations or possess 

the appropriate knowledge of the principles and practices of radiation protection relevant to the intended use of the 

licence. For each profession and relevant apparatus these requirements are outlined in the prerequisites of section 3. 

2 The application process 

To be considered for a licence to operate an ionising radiation apparatus you must submit an application form with the 

appropriate fee to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The application form is available from the EPA website. 

Please provide relevant documentary evidence as specified in the prerequisites of Section 3. 

Note: unless otherwise requested by the EPA, uncertified copies of documents are accepted. 

Once received, the application will be considered by the EPA and if all of the prerequisites have been met, a licence will 

normally be granted. In some instances a licence may be granted if the EPA is satisfied that the applicant’s particular 

circumstances warrant the granting of a licence as a special case. The Radiation Protection Committee (RPC), which 

considers special cases, meets approximately every three months. Applicants wishing to be regarded as a special case 

should provide their reasons as part of their application. 

If you require further information regarding your eligibility for a licence you should contact the EPA for advice. 

3 Licence prerequisites 

Unless otherwise stated, applicants who have previously held a licence in South Australia within the last five years, but 

have allowed their licence to lapse, will generally be granted another licence upon application. 

Environment Protection Authority

Licence prerequisites for operators of diagnostic X-ray apparatus 

3.1 Chiropractor 

Licence Condition: 14 (spine and pelvis only) 

Graduates from 1 July 2010: 

� successfully completed a Council of Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) accredited program with current 

registration with the Chiropractic Board of Australia; or 

� If qualified outside of Australia or New Zealand completed: 

� the CCEA exams (Part 2 and 3) in radiology (diagnostic imaging, radiographic practice and positioning); or 

� written and practical examination for a restricted licence by the Radiological Council of Western Australian for 

chiropractic radiology; or 

� a course approved by the EPA. 

Graduates prior to 1 July 2010: 

� current registration with the Chiropractic Board of Australia; and 

� a degree of Bachelor of Applied Science in Chiropractic granted by the Phillip Institute of Technology, Victoria; or 

� a Graduate Diploma in Chiropractic, or a Diploma of Doctor of Chiropractic, granted by the Sydney College of 

Chiropractic, New South Wales after November 1983; or 

� a degree of Master of Chiropractic granted by Macquarie University, New South Wales; or 

� a double degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (Clinical Science) and Bachelor of Chiropractic Science granted by 

the RMIT University, Victoria; or 

� successfully completed within the last 5 years: 

� a written examination for a restricted licence by the Radiological Council of Western Australia for chiropractic 

radiology; or 

� the Council of Chiropractic Education Australasia exams (Part 2 and 3) in radiology (diagnostic imaging, 

radiographic practice and positioning); or 

� a course approved by the EPA. 

3.2 Dental Assistant 

3.2.1 Plain (intra-oral receptor) 

Licence Condition: 4 

� relevant professional qualification; and 

� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.3) within last 5 years. 

Documentation required: proof of qualification; proof of completion of the accredited course. 

3.2.2 OPG without cephalometry 

Licence Condition: 004A 

� current SA licence to operate an ionising radiation apparatus (intra-oral condition); and 

� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.4) within the last 5 years. 

Documentation required: proof of completion of the accredited course. 

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3.3 Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist 

3.3.1 Plain (Intra-oral receptor) 

Licence Condition: 4B 

� current registration with the Dental Board of Australia as a Dental Hygienist. 

Documentation required: proof of board registration. 


Licence Condition: 4C 


� graduate from the University of Adelaide from 2009 onwards; or 



Documentation required: proof of graduation or proof of completion of the accredited course. 

3.3.3 Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) 


� current SA licence to operate radiation apparatus (OPG condition); and 

� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.2) within last 5 years; and 

� inhouse applications training provided by licensed and experienced senior staff and/or equipment supplier. 

Documentation required: proof of completion of the accredited course; proof of completion of the applications training. 

3.4 Dentist (intra-oral receptor) 


� current registration with the Dental Board of Australia as a Dentist. 


3.5 Dentist, Orthodontist, and Oral Surgeon (OPG and CBCT) 




� graduation from the University of Adelaide within the last 5 years; or 


Documentation required: proof of graduation or proof of completion of the accredited course. 

3.5.2 OPG with cephalometry 



� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.5). 

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3.5.3 Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 


� current SA licence to operate an ionising radiation apparatus (OPG condition); and 

� successfully complete an accredited course (section 4.2). 


3.6 Diagnostic Radiographer / Medical Imaging Technologist 

Licence Condition: 5 (fully qualified); 005C (return to practice); 520 (graduates) 

� Current registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. 

Note: students may operate an ionisation radiation apparatus in the course of their study without a licence (exemption 

gazetted 15 June 1986) but must be supervised by a licensed person who is a lecturer, a tutor, a demonstrator or 

supervisor associated with the course of study being undertaken by the student. 


3.7 Forensic Scientist 

3.7.1 Fluoroscopy (mobile C-arm; unlimited) 





Important: currently there are no accredited course providers for this type of apparatus. 

3.7.2 Plain radiography 


� Relevant professional qualification; and 



3.8 General Practitioner 

3.8.1 Plain Radiography (limited) 

Licence Condition: 2B (Basic–chest & extremities); or Licence Condition: 12I (Intermediate–cervical spine, 

pelvis, chest and extremities) 

� current registration with the Medical Board of Australia; and 


Documentation required: proof of board registration; proof of completion of the accredited course. 

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Note: applicants who have previously held a SA licence within the last 3 years, but have allowed their licence to lapse, 

will be granted another licence upon application. 

3.9 Health Scientist 

3.9.1 Bone densitometry 



� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.1) within the last 5 years; and 


Documentation required: proof of qualification; proof of completion of the accredited course; proof of completion of the 

applications training. 

3.10 Medical Specialist – any relevant speciality 

3.10.1 Bone Densitometry 


� current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist; and 



Documentation required: proof of board registration; proof of completion of the accredited course; proof of completion of 


3.11 Medical Specialist – Cardiologists & Vascular Surgeons 

3.11.1 Fluoroscopy (fixed; limited and supervised) 



� successful completion of a accredited course (section 4.8) within the last 5 years. 



3.12 Medical Specialist – Orthopaedic Surgeon & Plastic Surgeon 

3.12.1 Fluoroscopy (mini C-arm) 


� Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist; and 



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3.13 Medical Specialist – Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery Registrar 

3.13.1 Fluoroscopy (mini C-arm) 


� Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist; or 

� registration/enrollment in recognised specialty training course (Australian Orthopaedic Association or Royal 

Australian College of Surgeons – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery); and 


Documentation required: proof of board registration or proof of enrollment in recognised specialty training course; proof 

of completion of the accredited course. 

3.14 Medical Specialist – Pain Management Unit at Flinders Medical Centre 


� Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist; and 

� successful completion of the inhouse Flinders Medical Centre training; and 

� pass a written and practical examination set by the EPA. 

IMPORTANT: new licences under this category are not being issued. 

3.15 Nuclear Medicine Technologist 



� Current registration (or equivalent) with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia as a Nuclear Medicine 

Technologist; and 

� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.1) within the last 5 years; or 

� pass a written examination set by the EPA; and 


Documentation required: proof of board registration (or equivalent); proof of completion of the accredited course (if 

applicable); proof of completion of applications training. 

3.15.2 Limited current CT 

Licence Condition: 523L 

� current registration (or equivalent) with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia as a Nuclear Medicine 


� system specific applications training provided by manufacturer or licensed and experienced senior staff member. 

Documentation required: proof of board registration (or equivalent); proof of completion of applications training. 

3.15.3 Low energy CT 


� current registration (or equivalent) with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia as a Nuclear Medicine 


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� successful completion of accredited course (section 4.9) within last 5 years; and 


� system specific applications training provided by manufacturer or licensed and experienced senior staff member; and 

� clinical attachment at a multi-slice CT department within the last 5 years, and completion of a clinical log-book 

demonstrating 15 each of head, thorax and abdomen CT, including at least 5 contrast studies in each category. 

Note: pre- and post-contrast studies on the same patient are to be counted as a single examination; and 

� provision of written confirmation from the Chief of Modality (CT) indicating completion of the log book requirements. 

Documentation required: proof of board registration; proof of completion of the accredited course; letter from the Chief of 

Modality (CT). 

3.15.4 Diagnostic CT 

Licence Condition: 523D 

� current registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist; and 

� successful completion of accredited course (section 4.9) within last 5 years; and 

� system specific applications training provided by manufacturer or licensed and experienced senior staff member. 



3.16 Radiation Oncologist 



� current membership of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZR). 

Documentation required: proof of board registration; proof of RANZR membership. 

3.17 Radiation Therapist 

Licence Condition: 10 (fully qualified); to be determined (return to practice); 522 (graduates) 

� current registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. 


3.18 Radiologist 


� current registration with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. 

Documentation required: proof of college registration. 

3.19 Radiology Registrar 


� enrolment in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists registrar program; or 

� working under supervision at an organisation endorsed by the Medical Board of Australia. 

Documentation required: proof of enrolment in registrar program or proof of supervision. 

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3.20 Researcher 

3.20.1 Bone Densitometry–humans 





Documentation required: proof of qualification; proof of completion of the accredited course; proof of completion of the 


Fluoroscopy (mobile C-arm; unlimited) – inanimate objects or live animals 






Plain radiography – inanimate objects or live animals 





3.21 Registered Nurse 



� Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; and 




the applications training. 

3.21.2 Plain radiography – rural & remote 

Licence Condition: 21B (Basic–chest & extremities only) and Licence Condition: 21I (Intermediate–cervical 

spine, pelvis, chest & extremities only) 

� current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; and 

� successful completion of SA (section 4.10), WA, VIC, NSW or QLD accredited course (Rural and Remote X-ray 

Operator) within the last 3 years. 


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Note: applicants who have previously held a licence within the last three years, but have allowed their licence to lapse, 

will generally be granted another licence upon application. 

3.22 Service personnel 



� successful completion of an accredited course (section 4.11); and 

� pass an examination (regulations only) set by the EPA; or 

� pass a full examination (radiation safety plus regulations) set by the EPA. 

Documentation required: proof of qualification; proof of completion of the accredited course (if applicable). 

3.23 Veterinarian 

3.23.1 Plain radiography (including plain dental radiography) 


� Current registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of SA as a Veterinary Surgeon. 


3.23.2 Radiography (all modalities including fluoroscopy and computed tomography) 

Licence Condition: 2S 

� Current registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of SA as a Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. 


4 Accredited course providers 

The content of the courses provided by the organisations listed below have been accredited by the EPA as an 

appropriate for applicants seeking to obtain a licence to operate a diagnostic X-ray apparatus. 

4.1 Bone densitometer 

The Australian and New Zealand Bone Mineral Society 

145 Macquarie Street 

Sydney, NSW 2000 

Phone: 02 9256 5405 

Fax: 02 9251 8174 

Email: anzbms@racp.edu.au 

4.2 Cone beam computed tomography 

School of Dentistry 

Faculty of Health Sciences 

University of Adelaide 

233 North Terrace 

Adelaide, SA 5005 

Contact: Dr Janet Fuss 

Phone: 08 8303 4052 

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Fax: 08 8303 3444 

Email: janet.fuss@adelaide.adu.au 

4.3 Dental–plain (intra-oral receptor) 

Faculty of Para Dental Studies 

Gilles Plains Campus 

TAFE SA 

Blacks Road 

Gilles Plains, SA 5086 

Contact: Sonja Di Matteo 

Phone: 08 8207 1247 

Fax: 08 8207 1151 

Email: sonja.dimatteo@tafesa.edu.au 







Phone: 08 8303 4052 

Fax: 08 8303 3444 

Email: janet.fuss@adelaide.adu.au 

4.4 Dental–OPG without cephalometry 

Faculty of Para Dental Studies 

Gilles Plains Campus 

TAFE SA 

Blacks Road 

Gilles Plains, SA 5086 

Contact: Sonja Di Matteo 

Phone: 08 8207 1247 

Fax: +61 8 8207 1151 

Email: sonja.dimatteo@tafesa.edu.au 







Phone: 08 8303 4052 

Fax: 08 8303 3444 

Email: janet.fuss@adelaide.edu.au 

4.5 Dental–OPG with cephalometry 

The applicant must have already completed an accredited course for Dental–OPG without cephalometry (ection 4.4). 

South Australian Dental Service 

Adelaide Dental Hospital 

Frome Road 


Contact: Melissa Bogan 

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Phone: 08 8222 8214 

Fax: 08 8222 9075 

Email: mellisa.bogan@health.sa.gov.au 

4.6 Fluoroscopy (mini C-arm) 

SA Radiation Pty Ltd 

Contact: Kent Gregory 

Mobile: 0410 388 018 

Email: kent@saradiation.com.au 

Womens and Childrens Hospital 

72 King William Road 

North Adelaide, SA 5006 

Contact: Giovanni Bibbo (Radiation Safety Officer) 

Phone: 08 8161 6640 

Fax: 08 8161 6333 

Email: giovanni.bibbo@cywhs.sa.gov.au 

4.7 Fluoroscopy (mobile C-arm; unlimited) 

There are currently no accredited course providers for this category of apparatus. 

4.8 Fluoroscopy (fixed; limited and supervised) 

There are currently no accredited course providers for this category of apparatus. 

4.9 CT for Nuclear Medicine Technologists 

Low energy CT 

Medical Radiation Sciences 

School of Health Sciences 

University of South Australia 

City East Campus 

GPO Box 2471 


Contact: Dr Kerry Thoirs 

Phone: 08 83022903 

Email: kerry.thoirs@unisa.edu.au 

CT Safety Course for Nuclear Medicine Technologists 

Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine 

PO Box 7108 

Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria 3156 

Contact: Doug Mackey via ANZSNM Secretariat 

Phone: 03 9756 0128 

Fax: 03 9753 6372 

Email: anzsnm@21century.com.au 

CT for Nuclear Medicine Technologists 

Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences 


The University of Sydney 

PO Box 170 


11


Lidcombe, NSW 1825 

Contact: Ms Tracey Smith 

Phone: 02 9351 9619 

Fax: 02 9351 9146 

Email: t.smith@usyd.edu.au 

Diagnostic CT 

Diagnostic CT for Molecular Imaging 

The Victorian Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists 

Email: ctcourseadvisor@vsnmt.com 

4.10 Rural and remote X-ray operator 

Medical Imaging Services 

Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital 

Swanport Road (PO Box 346) 

Murray Bridge, SA 5253 

Contact: Robyn Valentine 

Phone: 08 8535 6777 

Fax: 08 8535 6700 

Note: this provider offers both the Basic and Intermediate Rural and Remote X-ray course. 

Sonographic Solutions Pty. Ltd. 

PO Box 1061 

Firle, SA 5070 

Contact: James Gotting (Course Coordinator) 

Mobile: 0400 777 916 

Fax: 08 8331 9983 

Email: jim@sonographic.com.au 

Note: this provider offers both the Basic and Intermediate Rural and Remote X-ray course. 

Division of Health Sciences, Medical Radiation 

University of South Australia 

City East Campus 

North Terrace 

Adelaide, South Australia 5000 

Australia 

Contact: Karen McBean (Course Coordinator) 

Phone: 08 8302 1471 

Fax: 08 8302 2800 

Email: karen.mcbean@unisa.edu.au 

Note: this provider only offers the Basic Rural and Remote X-ray course. 

4.11 Service Personnel 

Radiation Safety for X-ray Equipment Personnel Course 

Faculty of Science 

School of Chemistry 

University of New South Wales 

Sydney, NSW 2052 

Phone: 02 9385 4666 

Fax: 02 9385 6141 

Email: chemistry@unsw.edu.au 

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Disclaimer 


This publication is a guide only and does not necessarily provide adequate information in relation to every situation. This 

publication seeks to explain your possible obligations in a helpful and accessible way. In doing so, however, some detail 

may not be captured. It is important, therefore, that you seek information from the EPA itself regarding your possible 

obligations and, where appropriate, that you seek your own legal advice. 

Further information 

For general information please contact: 

Environment Protection Authority 

GPO Box 2607 

Adelaide SA 5001 

Telephone: 

Facsimile: 

Freecall (country): 

Website: 

Email: 

Radiation Protection Branch: Telephone: 

Facsimile: 

Email: 

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(08) 8204 2004 

(08) 8124 4670 

1800 623 445 

 

 

(08) 8463 7826 

(08) 8124 4671

Licence prerequisites for operators of - EPA - SA.gov.au

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