Licence Prerequisites
Licences are issued for specific purposes in either of two primary classes –
- Radioactive Substances
- X-ray Equipment and/or Electronic Products.
A licence can cover multiple purposes (uses or equipment types) within each of the primary classes. However, if you are using equipment in both primary classes, you will need two licences.
To be eligible for a radiation licence in WA applicants must be over 18 years old. Information on the criteria for licence approvals for specific occupations and uses can be found below. A separate page is provided for recognised courses.
For further information, or if your purpose is not listed, please contact us.
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Chiropractors | X-ray Equipment for radiography of the spine and pelvis |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Chiropractor and either Pass the relevant Council exam or Have graduated with a Chiropractic degree from:
|
| Chiropractors | X-ray Equipment for radiography of the chest and extremities |
Hold or be eligible for a Radiography - Chiropractic (Restricted) licence (see above) Pass the Council's examination in radiation safety for Chiropractic Radiography 'chest and extremities' |
| Chiropractors, Occupational Therapists, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists | Class 3B or Class 4 Lasers |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as either a Chiropractor, Occupational therapist, Osteopath, Physiotherapist or Podiatrist Attend a recognised laser safety course |
| Podiatric Surgeons | Fluoroscopic X-ray Apparatus |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Specialist Podiatrist (podiatric surgeon) Attend a recognised fluoroscopy radiation safety course |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Laser Hair Removal | Class 3B and 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Logbook evidence demonstrating a minimum 25 hours practical training under the immediate personal supervision of a WA licensee for the use of lasers for hair removal Written confirmation from supervising licensee that the applicant is competent in both consultation and beam-on aspects of the hair removal treatment Applicants may be able to meet all of the above criteria by completing some dermal science courses |
| Laser Superficial Cosmetic | Class 3B and 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Logbook evidence demonstrating practical training under the immediate personal supervision of a WA licensee, minimum 50 hours pigment treatments and 50 hours vascular treatments Written confirmation from supervising licensee that the applicant is competent in both consultation and beam-on aspects of the treatment Applicants may be able to meet all of the above criteria by completing some dermal science courses |
| Laser Tattoo Removal | Class 3B and 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Attend a tattoo removal course Logbook evidence demonstrating a minimum 100 hours practical training under the immediate personal supervision of a WA licensee for the use of lasers for tattoo removal. Supervised practical hours obtained in the other above laser cosmetic procedures may be used, but a minimum of 50 hours must be in tattoo removal procedures. Written confirmation from supervising licensee that the applicant is competent in both consultation and beam-on aspects of the treatment |
Dentists registered in the dental profession with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) do not require a licence to operate intraoral, orthopantomogram (OPG) or lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment for the purpose of dental radiography. Dental ancillary personnel are permitted to operate intraoral, OPG or lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment under the direction and supervision of an AHPRA-registered dentist if they have completed an approved course of training, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) equipment under a suitably licensed dentist once they have received training in the operation of the CBCT unit. The supervision requirements will vary depending on the modality being operated.
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Dentists | Class 3B or 4 lasers |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Dentist Attended a recognised laser safety course |
| Dentists | Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a specialist in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology or Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Dentist, and attend a recognised CBCT course |
| Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, Oral Health Therapists | Intraoral, orthopantomogram (OPG) or lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment | Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist, or Oral Health Therapist |
Note for Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists: The Radiological Council intends to pursue legislative amendments to exempt dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists from the requirement to hold a licence for dental radiography, in the same manner that is currently applied to dentists. In the interim, these practitioners will be eligible for an ‘exemption’ licence issued by the Council permitting their use of the specified x-ray equipment, in accordance with their scope of practice. Only practitioners who require an exemption licence for their immediate work circumstances should apply. All other practitioners should wait for the legislative amendments to progress.
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Education - Lasers | Class 3B or Class 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course |
| Education - Radioactive Substances | Sealed Radioactive Substances | Submit a letter to Council stating relevant training and/or experience with relevant radioactive substances. The letter must be endorsed by the institution's Radiation Safety Officer |
|
Research - Lasers |
Class 3B or Class 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course |
|
Research - Sealed Radioactive Substances |
Sealed Radioactive Substances |
Hold suitable qualifications in the specific area of study Attend a recognised course appropriate to the research to be conducted |
| Research - Unsealed Radioactive Substances | Unsealed Radioactive Substances |
Hold suitable qualifications in the specific area of study Attend a recognised unsealed radioisotope handling course |
| Research - X-ray |
X-ray apparatus for research purposes |
Hold suitable qualifications and training in the specific area of study Attend a recognised course appropriate for the research to be conducted |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Gauges - Borehole Logging |
Sealed Radioactive Substances (includes Pulsed Neutron Generators) |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass both Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 3 months practical experience as an assistant under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensee for logging, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee |
| Gauges - Borehole logging | Pulse Neutron Generators (only) |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass both Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 1 month practical experience as an assistant under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensee for logging using pulsed neutron generators, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee |
|
Fixed Industrial Gauges (includes compliance testing) |
Sealed Radioactive Substances |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass both Council exams |
| Gauges – Moisture and/or Density (Portable) | Sealed Radioactive Substances |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass both Council exams |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Industrial Radiographers | Radioactive Substances or X-ray Equipment |
Attend a relevant Industrial Radiography radiation safety course recognised by Council Pass both Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 3 months practical experience as an assistant under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensee for industrial radiography, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee Licence applicants for industrial radiography must submit a clear head and shoulders digital photograph with a plain background, not more than three years old, together with a scanned image of any of the following forms of photo identification –
Note: both the substances and irradiating apparatus licence application forms may need to be completed |
| Industrial Radiography Assistants | Radioactive Substances or X-ray Equipment |
Industrial Radiography Assistants DO NOT require licences and are not required to attend a course. They are issued a certificate of approval once the following eligibility is satisfied, at which point they may only work under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensed industrial radiographer –
Training information – |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Baggage Security Screening | Cabinet X-ray Equipment |
No specific eligibility criteria; licence applicants should have some practical experience in the use of the equipment. |
| Industrial | Class 3B or Class 4 lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Pass the Council's laser safety exam |
|
Industrial |
Handheld portable mineral analysers containing radioactive substances or Portable XRF |
Written statement that applicant has read and understood the manufacturer’s operating and safety instructions or Evidence of completion of the manufacturer's training course in operating the portable mineral analyser. |
| Industrial | Special Purpose Enclosed X-Ray Equipment |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass both Council exams |
| Industrial | X-ray analysis equipment use, not including handheld portable XRF (see portable mineral analysers) | Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
|
Specialist Medical Practitioners and registrars training in a speciality |
Fluoroscopic X-ray Equipment |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Specialist Medical Practitioner (excluding general practice specialist) Attend a recognised fluoroscopy safety course or
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner Attend a recognised fluoroscopy safety course Fluoroscopy competency checklist signed by their supervising consultant - Fluoroscopy competency checklist
Note: Radiologists are not required to attend a fluoroscopy safety course |
| Non-Specialist Medical Practitioners | Fluoroscopic X-ray Equipment for the reduction of fractures ONLY |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner Attend a recognised fluoroscopy safety course Employed at a WA Country Health location |
| Medical Practitioners | Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner Attend a recognised laser safety course |
| Nuclear Medicine Physicians | Radioactive Substances |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner with a specialisation of either:
|
| Oncologists | Irradiating Apparatus and Radioactive Substances | Hold a registration with AHPRA as a specialist in Radiology Oncology |
| Endocrinologists | Radioactive Substances |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a specialist in Endocrinology |
| Nurses | Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers | Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Division 1 Nurse
Attend a recognised laser safety course |
| X-ray Operators | X-ray operators are not issued a licence; they are issued with a certificate that permits them to operate mobile radiographic equipment for the purpose of human radiography of the chest, shoulders and extremities only. |
Hold a registration with AHPRA as a Division 1 Nurse or a Medical Practitioner Pass the recognised X-ray Operator course run by Curtin University |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Medical Imaging Technologists | X-ray equipment |
Hold general registration with AHPRA as a Diagnostic Radiographer; advise of any conditions attached to the registration. |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | Radioactive Substances | Hold general registration with AHPRA as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist; advise of any conditions attached to the registration. |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | Computed Tomography (CT) equipment for diagnostic imaging |
Hold general registration with AHPRA as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist; advise of any conditions attached to the registration. |
| Radiation Therapists | Irradiating apparatus |
Hold general registration with AHPRA as a Radiation Therapist; advise of any conditions attached to the registration. |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Entertainment | Class 3B or 4 Lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Pass the Council's laser safety exam |
| Astronomy Lasers | Laser pointers up to 30 mW |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Pass the Council's laser safety exam |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Service of X-ray equipment | Cabinet, Industrial and NDT X-ray equipment |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass the relevant Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 3 months practical experience servicing the class of x-ray equipment as an assistant under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensee, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee |
| Service of X-ray equipment |
Dental, Diagnostic and Superficial X-ray therapy equipment |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass the relevant Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 3 months practical experience servicing the class of x-ray equipment as an assistant under the direction and immediate personal supervision of a licensee, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee |
| Service of X-ray equipment |
Linear Accelerators (Medical) |
Have suitable qualifications Provide evidence of formal training in relation to service of linear accelerators Pass the relevant Council exams Evidence of a minimum of 12 months practical training (in the service of radiotherapy linear accelerators) under the supervision of a licensee, with written confirmation from the supervising licensee |
| Service of X-ray equipment |
Industrial Linear Accelerators |
Pass the relevant Council exams Provide written confirmation from the supervising licensee of:
|
| Service of Lasers | Class 3B or Class 4 lasers |
Attend a recognised laser safety course Pass the Council's laser safety exam |
| Service of devices containing Radioactive Substances | Radioactive Substances |
Each application is considered on its merits, based on the provision of qualifications and experience. Contact the Council for further information. |
The holder of a sale or storage licence is not permitted to operate, use, repair or maintain electronic products, x-ray equipment or radioactive substances unless they also hold a licence for that purpose.
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Sale | X-ray equipment, prescribed electronic products, or radioactive substances | No specific requirements. |
| Storage | Storage of irradiating apparatus, electronic products, or substances |
No specific requirements |
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Transport | Transport of radioactive substances |
Attend a relevant recognised radiation safety course Pass the transport exam |
Veterinarians must either hold a licence to operate radiographic x-ray equipment, or use the equipment under the direction and personal supervision of a licensee. Personal supervision requires that the licensee is present on the registered premises or field sites.
| Occupation or Purpose | Apparatus and Use | Prerequisites |
| Veterinarians | Fluoroscopic X-ray equipment |
Hold a registration with the WA Veterinary Surgeons Board as a specialist in small animal surgery Attended a recognised fluoroscopy radiation safety course |
| Veterinarians | CT X-ray Equipment |
Hold a registration with the WA Veterinary Surgeons Board Have completed suitable radiation safety training in the use of CT equipment, demonstrated by either –
|
| Veterinarians | Class 3B or Class 4 Lasers |
Hold a registration with the WA Veterinary Surgeons Board Attended a recognised laser safety course |
| Veterinary Nuclear Medicine | Radioactive Substances |
Hold a licence for or meet the eligibility for a Radiology-Veterinary licence and provide evidence of practical training in nuclear medicine procedures or Evidence of being a specialist equine surgeon (for equine scintigraphy licence) |
| Veterinarians | Diagnostic X-ray Equipment |
Hold a registration with the WA Veterinary Surgeons Board and For veterinarians who graduated before 1984 at an Australian University Veterinary school provide a letter of competency from a licenced veterinarian |
| Veterinary Radiologists | Fluoroscopy and CT X-ray Equipment |
Holds a licence for use of diagnostic x-ray equipment Have a qualification which meets the standards acceptable for specialist registration in veterinary radiology as approved by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council |