Medical Use Licence

The medical industry uses radiation for range of radiation procedures including:

  • medical imaging
  • nuclear medicine
  • radiation therapy
  • surgical procedures.

The use of radiation sources to carry out a radiation practice is regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 1999 to minimise the risks associated with radiation. This includes radiation sources used for medical procedures.

Medical radiation sources include:

  • laser equipment
  • x-ray equipment
  • unsealed radioactive substances
  • sealed radioactive substances.
Know which form you need?

Who needs this licence?

You will need this licence if you seek to use a radiation source for a medical procedure.

People using radiation in the medical industry include:

  • diagnostic radiographers
  • medical practitioners, specialists and registrars
  • nuclear medicine technologists
  • radiation therapists.

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.

Applications exemptions

You do not need to apply for a Use Licence if you are helping a licence holder to prepare a radiation source or assemble sealed source equipment for radiation therapy. The Use Licensee will need to personally supervise these activities.

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.

You are required to comply with Radiation Safety Act 1999 and the Code of Practice for Radiation Protection in the Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiation (2008).

Apply for a medical radiation Use Licence

To apply for a licence to use a particular type of radiation source you will need to complete the associated form. You can apply for a Use Licence as a medical radiation practitioner or to use laser equipment for medical procedures:

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
  • evidence of your employment and acceptance into a speciality training program (for registrars)
  • evidence of your enrolment and training (for students).

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:

Students undergoing medical or allied health training

Students completing practical training at an approved educational institution need to be under the supervision of an unrestricted licence holder. The supervisor needs to hold a current licence for the type of source you are being trained to use.

Licence duration

A Use Licence can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.

Renewal applications can be made 60 days before your licence expires. You will be sent a reminder and renewal application form before your licence expires.

Fees

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

See Schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay.

Applications to use security enhanced sources

You will need to pay a fee to have a security and criminal history check performed. Your application to use a security enhanced source will only be considered once this step has been done.

Licence to use a radiation source—Medical Practitioner

Application for a Licence to Use a Radiation Source (PDF 922 kB)

Use this form if you are a medical practitioner and seek to use radiation equipment or radioactive substances for a medical service or to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.

Licence to use a radiation source—Medical Radiation Practitioners

Application for a Licence to Use a Radiation Source - Medical Radiation Practitioner (PDF 898 kB)

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

Medical radiation practitioners include:

  • diagnostic radiographers
  • radiation therapists
  • nuclear medicine technologists
  • student medical radiation practitioners.

Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus—Cosmetic or Medical Purposes

Application for a Licence to Use a Laser Apparatus - Cosmetic or Medical Purposes (PDF 889 kB)

Use this form if you are a medical practitioner or specialist and seek a licence to use laser equipment for a medical specialty procedure. For example, a neurosurgeon seeking a licence to use laser equipment for neurosurgery.

Last updated: 20 November 2023