ANZSCO 2512-11Queensland

Medical Diagnostic RadiographerJune 2017

Labour Economics Office Queensland

Department of Employment

Current labour market ratingRegionalShortage

Previous labour market rating (June 2016)Shortage

Comments

The most recent research indicates that regional employers are experiencing a shortage of medical diagnostic radiographersand are unable to fill most of their vacancies while metropolitan employers were able to fill almost all vacancies advertised.

Survey results

  • In this year’s Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised (SERA) for medical diagnostic radiographers showed that the overall proportion of vacancies filled within the six week timeframe was 69 per cent, with83per cent in the metropolitan areas and 25 percent in the regional areas.
  • Most employers sought medical diagnostic radiographers with a minimum of three years’ experience and some employers required radiographers with qualifications in sonography.
  • The average number of applicants per vacancy at 2.6 was unchanged fromthe 2015-16 survey.
  • In contrast the number of suitable applicants per vacancy diverged from 0.6 recorded in 2016,with metropolitan employers reporting a rise to 1.6 and regional employers a decline to0.3.
  • Some regional employersstatedthat the lower numbers of suitable applicants has resulted in an increased use of locums and outsourcing.Around one third of employers surveyed reported that no suitable applicants applied to their vacancies.
  • Regional employers attributed the low numbers of suitable applicants to a shortage of suitably experienceddiagnostic radiographers willing to relocate outside the south east corner of Queensland.

Unsuitable applicants

  • Many unsuitable applicants were either inexperienced graduates or radiographers with insufficient or no experience in procedures such as mammography.

Demand and supply trends

  • Medical diagnostic radiographers are employed predominantly in pathology and diagnostic imaging services in hospitals and the Health Care and Social Assistance industry.
  • According to the Department of Health, in 2015-16the number of diagnostic imaging services provided in Queensland increasedby more than200,000 to 5 million.[1] The growth in usage of imaging services is due to a range of factors including population growth, an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic disease.
  • The Internet Vacancy Index 12 month average data shows that since the low in September 2012, vacancy advertisements for medical imaging positions in Queensland has consistently risenwith an 11per cent increase between June 2016 and June 2017.[2]
  • Radiography is a specialisation under the broader professionof medical imaging. Entry to this profession in Queensland is via a four-year bachelor degreeonly available at theQueensland University of Technology and Central Queensland University. Thedegree incorporates the equivalent of one year of supervised clinical practice, replacing the compulsory 48 weeks of supervised practice undertaken on graduation from the previous three-year courses.
  • Radiographers must register with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) and may also apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Radiography. In Queensland, anyone who uses radiation equipment for diagnostic radiography must also hold an appropriate licence issued by the State’s Radiation Health Unit.
  • Figures from the MRPBA show that as of December 2016there were 2486 medical diagnostic radiographers registered in Queensland, compared to2910inDecember 2015.[3]
  • The latest available data from the Department of Education and Training reveals that the fluctuating number of commencements inradiography bachelor degrees, reached a recent a low of 128 studentsin 2010, and increased consistently until stabilising at between 321 in 2013 and 334students in 2015.[4]
  • Figures from the Department of Education and Training show that the number of radiography graduates in 2015at116 had decreased9.4 per cent when compared withthe average over the previous five years.[5]
  • The Department of Immigration and Border Protection data indicates that temporary skilled migration is a minimal source of supply to this occupation in Queensland with less than 12 class 457 visas granted each year since 2009-10.[6]

Other indicators and issues

  • Employers commented that the location of training facilities in Brisbane and Rockhampton made it easier to fill vacancies in those areas.

Labour Economics Office Queensland

Department of Employment

[1]Department of Health

[2]Department of Employment

[3]Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia

[4]Department of Education and Training

[5]ibid

[6]Department of Immigration and Border Protection