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Radiography and Sonography Jobs in Australia

group of radiologist on the job with the text Radiology and Sonography in Australia Complete Guide

Radiography and sonography professionals are in high demand in most Australian states and territories which means you could be sponsored.

Alternately, they are also on the skilled professional list for migration (ANZSCO Code 251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer, ANZSCO Code 251212 Radiation Therapist, and ANZSCO Code 251214 Sonographer).

In this article, I will talk about how you can find jobs in these career fields in Australia as a qualified foreigner. 

This includes the qualifications you need, how to get them recognized in Australia, average salaries for the different fields, where you can expect to work, standard working hours, and where to find relevant vacancies.

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Overview of Radiography and Sonography Jobs in Australia

Radiography and sonography are considered among the allied health professions, which are health care staff that do not work in medicine or nursing but rather provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with health care.

While there are a variety of pathways into the professions, to qualify in Australia you will most often start by completing an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Medical Imaging or Medical Radiation Science.

To become a radiographer you should then complete one year of clinical experience as part of a supervised practice scheme with an accredited department and then take the National Medical Radiation Practice Exam. To become a sonographer, you must complete a graduate degree in medical ultrasound.

Salaries

A variety of jobs fall under the radiography and sonography umbrella and are in high demand across Australia’s states and territories. Here are some of the most common professions in the field.

Profession Annual Salary Hourly Rate
Sonographer AUD 90,000 to 150,000 AUD 50 - 80
Radiographer AUD 70,000 to 115,000 AUD 40 - 55
MRI Radiographer AUD 110,000 to 140,000 AUD 56 - 72
Radiation Therapist AUD 82,000 to 123,000 AUD 42 - 66
Nuclear Medicine Technologist AUD 65,000 - 125,000 AUD 30 - 75
Medical Imaging Technologist AUD 75,000 - 105,000 AUD 40 - 55
Ultrasound Technician AUD 82,000 to 130,000 AUD 41 - 66

It is estimated that around 4,800 sonographers are currently employed in Australia, 56% in full-time roles. There are estimated to be another 29,900 medical imaging professionals, 63% in full-time roles. Most jobs are available in New South Wales (33%), Victoria (23%), and Queensland (21%). The majority work in medical environments, such as hospitals and clinics. Hospital jobs often come with unsociable hours as services are required 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

The Australian government’s Labour Markets Insights team estimates major growth in the field of health care over the next five years, with another 20,000 roles being created by 2026, or a 15% increase.

Getting Your Qualifications Recognized

If you have already qualified as a radiographer or sonographer in another country, you can apply for jobs in Australia which can sponsor you for a work visa. But you will need to have your international qualification recognized in Australia.

This process usually takes around four months and should be done before you apply for work, so start well before you intend to apply for jobs in Australia.

Both radiographers and sonographers should contact the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) to have their qualifications recognized. They will assess your undergraduate and graduate qualifications and your clinical experience. You will need to submit copies of your documentation, with notarized English translations if they are in another language. The assessment fee is AUD$285 outside Australia and AUD$314 from inside Australia (including taxes).

They will also assess your English language proficiency, for which you require a minimum IELTS (academic) score of Band 7 on speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Alternatively, you can demonstrate an overall level B result in the Australian Occupational English Test, or a band score of 65 in the Pearson Test for English. Citizens of English-speaking countries do not need to show evidence of English proficiency.

An ASMIRT Statement of Qualification and skills assessment letter is required to apply for immigration to Australia under the skilled migration program.

Once your qualifications have been recognized, you must also apply for a license to practice radiography in your state or territory of choice. You can find the application form and details on how to apply here.

As a sonographer, you must hold and maintain annual accreditation with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

Finding Radiography and Sonography Jobs

If you are looking for radiography or sonography work in Australia, you can apply directly for open vacancies advertised on all the major recruitment websites. Some of the best job boards for healthcare jobs here in Australia include Medical Jobs Australia, AusDoc, HealthTimes, and ACRRM Jobs Board.

You can also apply to healthcare recruitment firms that can help you find open vacancies and also help you find locum positions, which are temporary cover for other medical professionals when they are otherwise unavailable (for example maternity leave or training placement). Among the biggest medical locum agencies are Aussie Locums, BPMed, Medipeople, and the Medical Recruitment Agency of Australia. You can also find a list of medical locum agencies in New South Wales here.

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