Radiographer
As a Radiographer, you’ll work alongside other Radiographers, both Reserve and full-time, to provide advice on matters affecting the provision of radiography in the ADF.
What you'll do
You’ll work as part of the Army Operational Health Support facilities, which is a part of the 2nd Health Battalion and 3rd Health Battalion and provide support during major ADF exercises and deployments away from fixed facilities. As an Army Radiographer, you may also be required to participate in ADF and multi-national operational and peacekeeping deployments.
Your duties may include:
- imaging administration
- imaging examinations and processing
- picture archiving and communication system functions
- radiology information system functions
- imaging governance
- advice relating to IIS of imaging equipment
- provide interim reports (if qualified as a sonographer)
- assist in the planning, coordination, assembly, deployment and function of an ADF medical imaging section within a deployed health facility
- assist in the operation and maintenance of medical imaging equipment, including the employment of safe radiation principles as a qualified Defence Ionising Radiation Protection Officer
- develop and maintain individual technical skills
- collaborate with allied health care professionals.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
If you’re an experienced radiographer, you may be selected to assist the Navy Landing Heavy Dock (LHD) ship capabilities based in Sydney, NSW (HMAS Penguin). Radiographers selected for this type of appointment are experienced radiographers who have served time in Adelaide or Brisbane and gained experience and additional skills. If you’re posted to the LHD, you may be at sea for extended periods of time supporting exercises, regional activities and potential operational deployments.
Following training, you’ll likely be located in Adelaide, Brisbane or Sydney.
The Army has two deployable hospital units with radiography, these are in Adelaide and Brisbane. Initially you can expect to be located at the 2nd Health Battalion in Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera where there is an onsite medical imaging department in the Enoggera Health Centre. Radiology services around other bases are outsourced to civilian providers.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Being a radiographer in the Army has given me a wider skill set than being one in the civilian world.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is an appropriate degree in radiography as accepted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and general registration in the Diagnostic Radiography Division to practice as a Medical Radiation Practitioner in Australia (MRPBA).
You’ll need to have a tertiary qualification as follows:
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Imaging Technology
- any other tertiary qualification accepted by the AHPRA and the MRPBA.
You’ll also need to have completed a postgraduate Professional Development Year of Clinical Practice or equivalent as accepted by the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You'll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian State or Territory Radiation 'Use Licence' under the relevant Radiation Safety Act.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
The course is delivered in 2 parts and is for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) - Health
Duration: 20 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Albury/Wodonga region
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.
You’ll have the opportunity to take update / refresher courses while employed by the Army. You may also be sponsored for postgraduate courses (as a part-time or external student) if there is a service requirement.
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 60 years, less the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
For Army DUS sponsorship, you’ll need to have completed one year of an Australian university Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Imaging Technology prior to receiving sponsorship, so it’s recommended that you apply for DUS after you’ve completed your first semester and have received your results. Your sponsorship starts from the date of your appointment into the Army, it doesn’t cover any previous semesters of study.
Please note, if you’re studying a double degree, you’ll only receive funding for one degree.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). Your IMPS will be 4 years full-time service after you have graduated and completed your sponsored university study and any required hiatus periods. Subsequent periods of service or open-ended appointment may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
The course is delivered in 2 parts and is for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) - Health
Duration: 20 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Albury/Wodonga region
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.
You’ll have the opportunity to take update / refresher courses whilst employed by the Army. You may also be sponsored for postgraduate courses (as a part-time or external student) if there is a service requirement.