List of authorised persons - diagnostic or therapeutic procedures

Only people listed as an ‘authorised person’ in Schedule 6 of the Radiation Safety Regulation 2021 are allowed to request a diagnostic procedure or prescribe a therapeutic procedure. Physician's assistants described in section 66 are also able to request diagnostic procedures.

Persons authorised to request a diagnostic procedure

The list of persons authorised to prescribe a therapeutic procedure are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 6 in the Radiation Safety Regulation 2021.

Physician’s assistants authorised to make requests

Physician’s assistants are authorised to request a diagnostic procedure if:

  • the practice plan developed for the physician states that the physician’s assistant may request the diagnostic procedure
  • the physician’s assistant requests the diagnostic procedure under the supervision of their supervising medical officer
  • the supervising medical officer is authorised to request the diagnostic procedure.

Persons authorised to prescribe a therapeutic procedure

The list of persons authorised to prescribe a therapeutic procedure are listed in Part 2 of Schedule 6 in the Radiation Safety Regulation 2021.

Therapeutic procedureAuthorised person
treatment of malignant and benign conditions involving the use of radiation sources

a person who is—

  • a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of radiation oncology 
    or
  • a medical practitioner undergoing a period of training in the specialty of radiation oncology.
treatment of malignant and benign conditions involving the use of unsealed radioactive substances

a person who is—

  • a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of radiology—nuclear medicine
    or
  • a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of physician—nuclear medicine
    or
  • a specialist health practitioner in paediatrics and child health—paediatric nuclear medicine.
treatment of skin lesions involving the use of sealed radioactive substances or radiation apparatus

a person who is—

  • a specialist health practitioner in the speciality of dermatology
    or
  • a medical practitioner undergoing a period of training in the speciality of dermatology
    and
  • whose decision to prescribe the procedure is in accordance with a decision, about the desired outcome of the treatment, made by the person and another person who is a specialist health practitioner in the speciality of radiation oncology.
treatment of eye lesions involving the use of sealed radioactive substances

a person who is—

  • a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of ophthalmology
    or
  • a medical practitioner undergoing a period of training in the specialty of ophthalmology.
treatment of vascular stenosis

a person who is—

  • a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of:
    • physician—cardiology, or
    • surgery—vascular surgery, or
    • radiology—diagnostic radiology

    or

  • a medical practitioner undergoing a period of training in the specialty of:
    • physician—cardiology, or
    • surgery—vascular surgery, or
    • radiology—diagnostic radiology

    and

  • whose decision to prescribe the procedure is in accordance with a decision about the desired outcome of the treatment, made by the person and another person:
    • who is a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of radiology—nuclear medicine and holds a written approval from the chief executive stating the person is approved to prescribe the procedure, or
    • who is a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of radiation oncology, or
    • who is a specialist health practitioner in the specialty of physician—nuclear medicine.
therapeutic procedures involving the use of laser apparatus

a person who is—

  • a medical practitioner
    or
  • a dentist.
treatment of the lower limbs for onychomycosis or ablation of warts involving the use of a laser apparatusa podiatrist.

Last updated: 21 November 2023