Regional Queensland
Regional recruitment specialist for Queensland employers, from Cairns to Toowoomba and Mount Isa. See how hard each region is to hire in, and how we help.
Medical imaging recruitment for regional employers: radiographers and sonographers
Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We help radiology practices, hospitals and imaging services across regional Australia hire diagnostic radiographers, CT and MRI radiographers and sonographers, from new graduates to senior and chief staff. Registration, the radiation licence and sonographer accreditation are checked into the brief from the first conversation.
Medical imaging hiring at a glance
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer and Sonographer are both rated in shortage nationally for 2026, and job ads for medical imaging professionals rose over the year while ads for most other allied health groups fell.1,2
- national rating for Medical Diagnostic Radiographer (ANZSCO 251211) and Sonographer (251214) in 2026
- Shortage
- Both rated S (shortage) nationally, as are Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Medical Radiation Therapist.1
- online job ads a month for medical imaging professionals
- 767
- Three-month average to September 2026, up 16% from 662 a year earlier.2
- of those ads were for regional areas
- 35%
- 258 of 735 ads placed in a major city or regional area, against 29% for all jobs.3
What do radiographers and sonographers do, and what must they hold?
Diagnostic radiographers operate X-ray and CT equipment to produce images for diagnosis, choosing settings, positioning patients and checking that the images answer the referrer's question. Sonographers use ultrasound to acquire and record images and real-time information for diagnosis, working with medical practitioners.4
Radiographers must hold registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, which registers practitioners in diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine technology and radiation therapy.6 Sonographers are not registered through Ahpra. For some Medicare ultrasound services the sonographer must be on the Register of Sonographers, which follows accreditation by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.7 The registry counted 8,677 accredited medical sonographers at 1 October 2026.8
Which registration and radiation licence does a radiographer need in each state?
Registration is national, but each state and territory licenses the use of X-ray equipment, so a radiographer moving interstate may need a new licence before starting. Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation, so these licences cover radiography rather than sonography.
National registration and each jurisdiction's radiation use licence for diagnostic radiographers, as published by the regulators on 1 November 2026.
| State or territory | Registration | Radiation use licence |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Registration, diagnostic radiography division, Medical Radiation Practice Board6 | Radiation user licence from the NSW Environment Protection Authority9 |
| Victoria | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Use licence from the Department of Health; general registration is a prerequisite10 |
| Queensland | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Deemed licence for registered diagnostic radiographers11 |
| Western Australia | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Licence from the Radiological Council; general registration is a prerequisite12 |
| South Australia | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Radiation licence from the Environment Protection Authority13 |
| Tasmania | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Licence under the Radiation Protection Act 2005, Department of Health14 |
| Northern Territory | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Registration is taken as the radiation licence15 |
| Australian Capital Territory | National registration (diagnostic radiography) | Radiation licence for medical use; registration as a diagnostic radiographer required16 |
What do radiographers and sonographers earn?
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award lists medical imaging technologists, including medical radiographers, at AQF level 7 and sonographers at AQF level 8. From 1 October 2026 a first-year radiographer's full-time minimum is $1,308.80 a week and a first-year sonographer's $1,337.10.5 The award covers health-industry employers, such as private radiology practices and hospitals, and employers engaging a health professional in its classifications; employees covered by a state public sector award are outside it.5
Medical imaging professionals had median full-time earnings of $2,360 a week, or $60 an hour, in May 2025, nationally. The group also includes nuclear medicine technologists and radiation therapists.4
Health Professional employee Level 1 full-time minimum rates for radiographers (AQF level 7) and sonographers (AQF level 8), from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026.5
| Classification | Minimum a week | Minimum an hour |
|---|---|---|
| Radiographer, 1st year (AQF level 7) | $1,308.805 | $34.44 |
| Radiographer, 7th year and after | $1,689.50 | $44.46 |
| Sonographer, 1st year (AQF level 8) | $1,337.10 | $35.19 |
| Sonographer, 7th year and after | $1,721.40 | $45.30 |
Where are radiographers and sonographers in demand?
Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales carry most medical imaging ads. Victoria rose fastest, from 169 to 226 a month over the year, while South Australia fell from 54 to 42.2
Regional ads rose from 219 to 258 a month, and regional areas account for 35% of medical imaging ads with a location, against 29% for all jobs. Across health care and social assistance, 44% of recruiting employers had difficulty hiring in their most recent recruitment round (September quarter 2026).3,17
Online job ads for medical imaging professionals by state and territory, three-month average to September 2026 and a year earlier.2
| State or territory | Job ads a month, September 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 2262 | 169 |
| Queensland | 200 | 186 |
| New South Wales | 193 | 169 |
| Western Australia | 61 | 54 |
| South Australia | 42 | 54 |
| Tasmania | 20 | 14 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 14 | 10 |
| Northern Territory | 10 | 5 |
Which medical imaging roles do we recruit?
Open a role for the work, the requirements and what to put in your brief.
Diagnostic radiographer (general, CT and MRI)
Radiographers for community radiology practices, hospital departments and emergency imaging.
- The work
- Receiving referrals, selecting X-ray or CT equipment and settings, positioning patients and conveying findings to medical practitioners.4
- Requirements
- Registration in diagnostic radiography plus the state or territory radiation licence listed above.6,9
- Shortage
- Medical Diagnostic Radiographer is rated in shortage nationally for 2026.1
- What to tell us
- Modalities (general, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy), on-call and after-hours rosters, sole-radiographer shifts, and any satellite sites.
Sonographer
General and specialist sonographers for radiology practices, obstetric and vascular services and hospitals.
- The work
- Operating ultrasound equipment, deciding whether images are satisfactory and selecting images to show medical practitioners.4
- Requirements
- Accreditation through the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry and entry on the Register of Sonographers for Medicare-billed services.7,8
- Shortage
- Sonographer is rated in shortage nationally for 2026.1
- What to tell us
- Scan mix (general, obstetric, vascular, musculoskeletal, cardiac), daily list size, reporting arrangements with radiologists, and support for a student or newly accredited sonographer.
Nuclear medicine and radiation therapy
Nuclear medicine technologists and radiation therapists for regional imaging and cancer centres.
- The work
- Nuclear medicine technologists perform diagnostic examinations with radiopharmaceuticals; radiation therapists deliver radiation treatment with radiation oncologists.4
- Registration
- Both are divisions of the Medical Radiation Practice Board register.6
- Shortage
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Medical Radiation Therapist are both rated in shortage nationally for 2026.1
- What to tell us
- Equipment and treatment techniques, patient numbers, on-call duties and any state licence conditions for the role.
How we help you hire a radiographer or sonographer
You make the hiring decision and employ the person directly. We handle the search and the organising in between.
On-call rosters, sole-operator shifts and relocation
Tell us the team size, the roster, any on-call duties or sole-operator shifts, the after-hours call-back arrangements and how the service covers leave. We raise these with candidates in the first conversation.
We search first among radiographers and sonographers who already live in or have ties to your region, then among those planning a move. A radiographer moving states needs that state's licence, so we raise it with candidates early. Relocation help and housing support matter most for movers. If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.
Looking for a radiography or sonography role in the regions?
Register with Hire Australia and tell us your registration or accreditation, the modalities and scan types you work in, and where you would like to work. New graduate and experienced radiographers and sonographers are welcome, and we will talk with you about roles that fit.
Talk to us about your next medical imaging hire
Tell us the role, the modalities, the location and your start date.
Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment.
A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Good to know.
Does a radiographer need a licence as well as registration?
Usually, yes. Registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board is national, but each state and territory licenses the use of radiation equipment.6 Queensland grants registered diagnostic radiographers a deemed licence, and in the Northern Territory registration is taken as the licence.11,15 Hire Australia raises the licence with every candidate moving states.
Are sonographers registered with Ahpra?
No. Sonographers are accredited through the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, and some Medicare ultrasound services must be performed by a sonographer on the Register of Sonographers.7,8 Ultrasound doesn't use ionising radiation, so the state radiation licences for radiographers don't apply to sonography. Hire Australia asks every sonographer candidate about their accreditation and scan experience.
What does a radiographer or sonographer earn under the award?
From 1 October 2026, where the Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers the role, a first-year radiographer earns at least $1,308.80 a week and a first-year sonographer $1,337.10.5 The national median for medical imaging professionals was $2,360 a week in May 2025.4 Hire Australia discusses your range before the search starts.
Are radiographers and sonographers hard to recruit in regional areas?
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer and Sonographer are both rated in shortage nationally for 2026.1 Regional medical imaging ads rose to 258 a month in the three months to September 2026.3 Hire Australia starts each regional search with people who have ties to your area and plans around your start date.
What does it cost to use Hire Australia?
Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment. You employ the person directly, and we agree the terms with you in writing before the search begins. The same terms apply to every medical imaging role Hire Australia recruits, from new graduates to chief radiographers.
Does Hire Australia supply labour hire or temporary staff?
No. Hire Australia recruits people you employ directly, in permanent roles. We don’t supply labour hire or temps, and candidates never work on our payroll. We search for and screen people for your vacancy, introduce the ones who fit, and you make the offer and employ them. That keeps the working relationship between you and your new employee from day one.
Sources (17)
- Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 2022 sheet). National ratings for 6-digit ANZSCO 2022 occupations, October 2026. S shortage, R regional shortage, NS no shortage. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, 4-digit occupations by state and territory, September 2026. Online job ads, three-month moving average to September 2026 (released 21 October 2026), rounded. Counts ads, not jobs. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, 4-digit occupations by remoteness (major cities and regional), September 2026. Online job ads, three-month moving average to September 2026; SA4 regions grouped as major city or regional. Counts ads, not jobs. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO occupation data, February 2026 (occupation descriptions, earnings and employment). Median full-time earnings: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, national; 4-digit occupation groups. Employment: February 2026, trend. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Fair Work Ombudsman, Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17 and Schedule B. Rates from 1 October 2026 (PR814029), as in the pay guide of 22 October 2026. Coverage: clause 4; state public sector awards excluded. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, Registration. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Services Australia, Sonographer accreditation for Medicare (012-42020110). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, home page (8,677 accredited medical sonographers at 1 October 2026). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- NSW Environment Protection Authority, Radiation user licence. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Department of Health, Victoria, Department of Health (Victoria), Radiographers: radiation use licence (updated 30 July 2025). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Queensland Health, Medical radiation practitioner use licence (deemed licence for registered practitioners). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Radiological Council of Western Australia, Licence prerequisites. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Environment Protection Authority South Australia, Radiation licensing. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Department of Health, Tasmania, Department of Health (Tasmania), What is radiation protection? (last updated 3 June 2026). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Northern Territory Government, NT.GOV.AU, Radiation licences for medical and dental practitioners: diagnostic radiographers. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- ACT Health and Community Services Directorate, ACT Government, Radiation licence for medical use (last updated 5 March 2026). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey, September 2026 data file. Recruitment difficulty rate: recruiting employers who had difficulty hiring in their most recent round in the previous month; September quarter 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑