OSCA 263133

Radiographer

Overview

  • Employed persons

    10,600

  • Employment status

    67.1% Full time

    32.9% Part time

  • Median age

    36 years

  • Employment by sex

    67.6% Female

    32.4% Male

    Moderately female dominated

  • Indigenous employment share

    0.7%

  • Main employing industry

    Health Care and Social Assistance

Indicator Radiographer Total employment
Employed persons 10,600 12,049,400
Median age 36 years 40 years
Full-time share 67.1% 64.2%
Part-time share 32.9% 35.8%
Female employment share 67.6% 48.5%
Male employment share 32.4% 51.5%
Gender segregation intensity scale Moderately female dominated Gender balanced
Indigenous employment share 0.7% 2.2%
Main employing industry Health Care and Social Assistance Health Care and Social Assistance
Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

Occupation overview

Radiographers operate X-ray and other medical imaging equipment to produce images for medical diagnostic purposes.

What the occupation involves

  • Operates a variety of imaging equipment such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, nuclear scans and ultrasound, to produce diagnostic images
  • Ensures patient safety and comfort during imaging procedures
  • Positions and adjusts patients and selects appropriate image techniques and settings to achieve optimal image quality
  • Evaluates images for technical quality and accuracy
  • Collaborates with Radiologists and other Medical Practitioners to interpret and analyse imaging results
  • Prepares findings for medical practitioners to interpret for medical diagnostic purposes

Common occupation titles

  • Diagnostic Radiographer
  • Medical Imaging Technologist

Specialisations

  • Mammographer
  • Medical Radiation Scientist

Note: Specialisations are examples of roles in within this occupation and are not separate OSCA occupations.

Skill level (education and experience level)

Skill level 1
equivalent to a university level qualification (Bachelor degree or higher).

Note: While skill levels are described using formal education levels, some people use a combination of informal learning, on-the-job training and personal experience to achieve an equivalent level.

Licensing or registration requirements

Registration or licensing is required.

OSCA structure

Employment

On this page

    Industries

    Top 10 most common industries, 2021

    Radiographer Total employment
    Industry Share of occupation Industry Share of occupation
    Health Care and Social Assistance 98.1% Health Care and Social Assistance 14.5%
    Public Administration and Safety 0.4% Retail Trade 9.1%
    Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 0.3% Construction 8.9%
    Education and Training 0.2% Education and Training 8.8%
    Wholesale Trade 0.2% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 7.8%
    Administrative and Support Services 0.1% Public Administration and Safety 6.6%
    Accommodation and Food Services <0.1% Accommodation and Food Services 6.5%
    Financial and Insurance Services <0.1% Manufacturing 5.9%
    Other Services <0.1% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 4.5%
    Transport, Postal and Warehousing <0.1% Financial and Insurance Services 3.7%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    States and territories

    Employment distribution by states and territories, 2021

    • New South Wales

      32.8%

    • Victoria

      23.2%

    • Queensland

      21.3%

    • South Australia

      8.2%

    • Tasmania

      2.1%

    • Northern Territory

      0.8%

    • Australian Capital Territory

      1.5%

    Radiographer Total employment
    State / Territory Employment Share of occupation Employment Share of occupation
    New South Wales 3,500 32.8% 3,684,200 30.6%
    Victoria 2,500 23.2% 3,162,900 26.2%
    Queensland 2,300 21.3% 2,444,100 20.3%
    South Australia 870 8.2% 839,400 7.0%
    Western Australia 1,100 10.0% 1,306,200 10.8%
    Tasmania 220 2.1% 254,700 2.1%
    Northern Territory 90 0.8% 107,000 0.9%
    Australian Capital Territory 160 1.5% 248,600 2.1%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    Age and sex

    Employment distibution by age group and sex, 2021

    Radiographer

    Total employment

    Age group Radiographer Total employment
    15–24 years 11.1% 14.3%
    25–34 years 35.7% 22.7%
    35–44 years 23.2% 22.3%
    45–54 years 15.7% 20.4%
    55–64 years 11.2% 15.3%
    65–74 years 3.1% 4.3%
    75 years and over 0.1% 0.6%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.
    Sex Radiographer Total employment
    Female 67.6% 48.5%
    Male 32.4% 51.5%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    On this page

      OSCA occupation profiles data

      This file contains data available from the OSCA Occupation Profile page.

      Use of this data must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      OSCA Occupation data - 2021 Census.xlsx

      xlsx 1236447

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      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)

      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) is the skill-based classification used to categorise occupations across the Australian labour market. OSCA is used to define occupations across all official occupational statistics. OSCA replaces the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

      Each job is classified to one, and only one, group of jobs at each level of the classification with no overlaps. This prevents the accidental double-counting of roles within the Australian labour market. For more information about OSCA, visit the What is OSCA information page, or the ABS website.

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