Assessment of Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Ultrasound Qualifications gained outside Australia

Please note:  All applications are assessed on an individual basis with due diligence.

The following information outlines the process involved in the assessment for the recognition of qualifications gained outside Australia in the above disciplines.   Those who wish to have their qualifications assessed for accreditation by the Overseas Qualification Assessment Panel (OQAP) of the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) should read this.

Since 1992, AIR is gazetted to Australian Government through the AEI-International Education Network via the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) as the assessing authority for Diagnostic Radiographers/Medical Imaging Technologists, Radiation Therapists and Sonographers.  

Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy qualifications gained outside Australia are not immediately accepted and recognised in Australia for the issue of an AIR Validated Statement of Accreditation which is required for migration under the skilled migration program and for State registration/licensing in Australia to enable employment.

Ultrasound qualifications gained outside Australia are not immediately accepted as equivalent to the Australian standard either and must go through the assessment process.  The AIR undertakes these assessments on behalf of the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

The AIR OQAP undertakes all assessments on behalf of the Institute.  The Panel comprises practitioners from each discipline and Medical Radiation Science educationalists.

What are my qualifications assessed against?

Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy

Your application and qualifications will be assessed against the Australian standard at the time of qualification.  The Assessment Panel bases the assessment on equivalence with the Australian standard at the time of your qualification.   Your post qualification experience and postgraduate education will also be taken into consideration.  Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should be forwarded with your application.  The Assessment Panel requires that the post qualification experience should be equivalent to an average Australian Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist who qualified at the same time.  You must demonstrate at least two or more years in the last 5 years of good clinical experience.  The minimum standard that your application would be expected to achieve is the AIR Competency Based Standard (CBS) for the Accredited Practitioner.  Diagnostic Radiographers/Medical Imaging Technologists should have some experience of basic CT scanning. Radiation Therapists should demonstrate understanding of both treatment planning and delivery. 

The assessment is based on guidelines from the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). 
 
Your qualification will be compared to a qualification in either Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy.  In Australia the disciplines are quite different entities and you can only qualify in one discipline.  The following is a guide as to the Australian academic standard your qualification will be compared to:

  • Up to 1972 (Certificate)  - 3-4 years of part-time study with on-the-job training

  • 1973-1985 (Associate Diploma) - 3 years equivalent fulltime study

  • 1986-1994 (Diploma) - 3 years of fulltime study

  • 1995 onwards (Degree) - 3 years of fulltime study and a Professional Development (PDY) year of mentored clinical entrance into the profession.  The Statement of Accreditation is issued to Australian graduates on the completion of their PDY

Ultrasound

Your application and qualifications will be assessed against the Australian standard at the time of qualification.  The Assessment Panel bases the assessment on equivalence with the Australian standard at the time of your qualification.  This equivalence is the minimum qualification criteria as set by the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

The assessment is based on guidelines from the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). 

Ultrasound qualifications will only be considered at a postgraduate level with an appropriate undergraduate qualification in an associated Health Science - Radiography, Biomedical Science and Nursing etc. in short a course that has anatomy and related subjects in it.

English Language Requirements - please click here for further information.

When my qualifications are assessed what happens?

The assessment of your qualifications can take up to 16 weeks.  The Assessment Panel only comes together approximately twice per year for face-to-face meetings.  All other activities of the Assessment Panel are done via mail or electronically through the AIR. 

The Assessment Panel members will assess all the paperwork provided by you and compare it to the Australian standard for the same period of time.  They will compare the syllabus that is provided in your application to the Australian syllabus for the same time.  They will compare subjects, topics covered under the subjects, the hours of instruction for each subject and topic, the clinical experience as part of the course and the type of clinical experience.  They will look at your employment record and letters from employers to ensure your post qualification experience is of the required standard.  Your evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will be also examined. 

How do I apply for an assessment, and what is the cost of the assessment?

Please refer to the how-to-apply page via the following link.

What will be the outcome of an assessment?

The outcome of the assessment will be one of three decisions:

(1) Unconditional Recognition

Qualifications gained outside Australia will be recognised as equivalent to the Australian standard at the time of qualification and the post qualification experience is also of an acceptable standard.  A Validated Statement of Accreditation will be granted and a letter for use in the immigration process issued.  In the case of Medical Ultrasound a Certificate of Recognition in Ultrasound will be granted and a letter for use in the immigration process issued.

(2) Conditional Rejection

Applicant will be recommended by the Assessment Panel to:

  • Provide further documentation to support application.

  • Undertake further clinical experience and then provide evidence.
    After the Assessment Panel receives the required documentation they will further examine the application.  An applicant has three years from notification of rejection to obtain the requested information and re-apply without incurring further expense.

(3) Rejection

Qualifications gained outside Australia that do not meet the Australian standard at the time of qualification.  It may be recommended the applicant needs to upgrade qualifications by successfully completing an AIR accredited Radiation Science program at an Australian University.  Again the applicant will have three years from the date of the rejection letter to achieve this.

Appeal Process

In the case of either a conditional rejection or rejection the applicant has the right of appeal about the decision, findings and recommendations to the AIR Board.  The decision of the Board in these matters is final.  If the appeal is upheld the applicant can still continue with the requested recommendation of the Assessment Panel and at the completion of the recommendation the applicant can present the new information for further consideration.

For further information, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs:

My qualifications were gained in a country other than Australia.  What do I need to do?

If your qualifications were gained outside Australia you will need to have them assessed by the AIR Overseas Qualification Assessment Panel (OQAP).  Overseas qualifications are not necessarily recognised as being equivalent to the Australian standard and therefore need to be assessed on an individual basis.  Further details on the process of applying to have your qualifications assessed by OQAP can be found under the OQAP application section of the AIR website.

Are there any circumstances that the Overseas Qualifications Assessment Panel (OQAP) may exempt my qualifications from assessment?

Qualifications from AIR accredited courses as equivalent to the current Australian standard are dealt with by a direct application for an AIR Statement of Accreditation.  An applicant via this method must include certified* copies of the information requested on the application form.  They must have at least 1 year of clinical experience in their country of origin before applying. Applicants must demonstrate a proficiency in English and are required to provide evidence of understanding and fluency in English - click here for further information. 

My qualifications were gained in Australia but I did not do a Professional Development Year (PDY) in Australia.  What do I need to do?

You need to apply to OQAP to have your clinical experience undertaken outside Australia assessed.  You will need to make an application on the Application for Assessment of Qualifications gained outside Australia form  and include the appropriate information.  You do not need to include a syllabus, as the course is an accredited Australian course.  You need to have at least two years of clinical experience post qualification.  A successful assessment will mean you are granted a Validated Statement of Accreditation that will then enable you to apply for immigration through the skilled migration program and you will be able to gain employment in Australia.

*What is meant by certified copy?  (Note: This may also be referred to as a notarised copy)

Certified copy of a document means a copy authorised or stamped as being a true and correct copy of the original document by a person or agency recognised by the law of your country to do such.  In Australia this would be, a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations or a person before whom a statutory declaration may be made e.g. accountant, lawyer, doctor, police officer.




Documents listed are published in PDF format.