Radiography Society

The Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)

The Australian Institute of Radiography is the peak body representing radiographers, radiation therapists and sonographers in Australia.
Our aims are to promote, encourage, cultivate and maintain the highest principles of practice and proficiency in respect of Medical Radiation Science. The AIR facilitates educational activities, discussion and consultation among members and others. We accredit undergraduate courses across Australia, set standards of competency in practice and encourage scholarship and continuing professional development.

Making an application to the Overseas Qualification Assessment Panel (OQAP).  How do I apply?

The following section contains information in relation to making an Application to the Overseas Qualification Assessment Panel (OQAP) for Assessment of Qualifications Gained outside Australia in Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging Technology, Radiation Therapy or Ultrasound.

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

Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging Technology or Radiation Therapy qualifications gained outside Australia are not immediately accepted or recognised for issue of the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) Validated Statement of Accreditation which is required for State registration or Licensing in Australia and by the Immigration department for migration purposes.  The AIR Validated Statement of Accreditation is required for immigration purposes in the skilled migration program. 

Ultrasound qualifications gained outside Australia are not immediately accepted and recognised for registration in Australia.  The AIR assesses the qualifications gained outside Australia for Ultrasound and issues a Certificate of Recognition in Ultrasound.  This Certificate is required for registration with the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry and by the Immigration department for migration purposes.  The Certificate of Recognition in Ultrasound is required for immigration purposes in the skilled migration program. 

An applicant's qualifications are assessed under the following codes:

• ANZSCO Code 251211     Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• ANZSCO Code 251212     Radiation Therapist
• ANZSCO Code 251214     Sonographer

For further information regarding migration refer to www.immi.gov.au/asri.

The qualifications gained outside Australia are assessed for equivalence to the Australian standard at the time of qualification.  The equivalence is at undergraduate academic level plus the associated clinical levels.  Postgraduate/post qualification education and clinical experience may be taken into consideration. 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)  The outcome of the assessment will be one of three decisions (please also refer to the Assessment Process section):

(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 does not meet the Australian standard at the time of qualification.  It maybe 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. Click here for information regarding Accredited Australian Courses

Application

An application must be made on an Application for Assessment of Radiography Qualifications  accompanied by the appropriate documentation as requested on the application form.  The application will not be processed until all the required documentation is received.  This documentation must be in the form of translated (where necessary) certified/notarised copies.  Do not send original documents.  The accompanying documents should include but not limited to:

• Detailed syllabus of the course undertaken.  Needs to show subjects and topics undertaken as well as objectives and content of each subject.  In the case of Ultrasound, the qualification should be a postgraduate qualification and evidence of the undergraduate qualification must be included in the application.
• Copy of award  eg degree/diploma etc.
• Copy of registration certificate if appropriate
• Letter/s from employer/s demonstrating employment history.  Letter should show work and tasks undertaken in a percentage of working history and profile.
• Postgraduate qualifications if any.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Evidence of fluency in English is required where you are not a passport holder from United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America, Republic of Ireland or Singapore.
• A certified current passport size photo must be attached to the application.
• Certified/notarised 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, 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.
• An accredited translator must undertake translation of documents not in English.  The original document and the translated copy must be certified and accompany the application.

How long will the application process take?

The assessment of an application may take up to 16 weeks.  Practicing clinicians carry out the assessment and therefore applications need to be forwarded to the individuals from around the country. 

What is the cost of assessment?

The cost of the assessment is AUD$700.00 if applying from overseas.  If resident in Australia (permanent or temporary) Goods and Services tax (GST) of AUD$70.00 needs to be added for a total of $770.00.  Refer to the application form for methods of payment.  Payment for the assessment must be included with the application.  Accepted forms of payment are bank cheque drawn in Australian dollars, MasterCard, Visa Card or American Express.  Cheques must be made payable to the Australian Institute of Radiography and drawn on an Australian Bank.  Overseas currency is not accepted and do not send cash. This is non-refundable cost.

English Language Requirements - please click here for further information.

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