Veterinary radiation Use Licence
The veterinary industry uses radiation sources for a range of procedures, including:
- radiography of animals
- diagnostic nuclear medicine
- therapeutic nuclear medicine
- surgical laser procedures
- non-ablative laser procedures
- radiation therapy of animals.
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 equipment and substances used for veterinary procedures.
Veterinary radiation sources include:
- laser and ionising radiation equipment
- unsealed radioactive substances.
This page contains the following veterinary radiation Use Licence application forms:
If you are unsure which form/s you need to complete, including the required supporting documentation, please read on.
Who needs this licence?
You will need this licence if you seek to use a radiation source for a veterinary procedure.
People using radiation sources in the veterinary industry include:
- veterinary surgeons
- veterinary assistants
- veterinary nurses
- veterinary technologists.
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 Licencee’s 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 Veterinary Medicine (2009).
Apply for a veterinary radiation Use Licence
You can apply for a veterinary radiography licence or a standard licence to perform other veterinary practices, such as therapeutic nuclear medicine:
Your application needs to include:
- 2 proof of identity documents
- a copy of your professional registration
- a certified copy of your qualifications or training
- evidence of your experience using the radiation source
- evidence of 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.
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 a 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. Your form will only be considered a complete application once payment has been made.
Licence to use radiation sources for veterinary purposes
Application for a Licence to Use a Radiation Source – Veterinary Purposes (PDF 889 kB)
Use this form if you are a veterinary surgeon, veterinary technologist or veterinary nurse and seek to use plain film radiographic X-ray equipment for veterinary radiography, or if you seek a licence to use radiation equipment or substances for a veterinary procedure, this includes:
- radiography of animals (using fluoroscopy or computed tomography devices)
- diagnostic or therapeutic nuclear medicine
- laser procedures
- radiation therapy of animals.