Radiography

  • ​​Radiography or diagnostic medical imaging is the science involving the controlled use of radiation for the production of images to assist in the diagnosis and subsequent management of disease and injury. The medical radiation practitioner, in consultation with medical specialists, has immediate responsibility for producing medical images using techniques including diagnostic radiography, CT, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for medical diagnosis and treatment.  With additional studies radiographers can be dual trained as sonographers.

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    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health radiography workforce in 2040

    3980
    Headcount

    70.3%
    Female

    33.5
    Work hours per week

    42.1
    Years average age

    10.8%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 3.6% (low demand scenario) to 3.9% (high demand scenario).


    Reasonable career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to grow the NSW radiography workforce by around 6 to 22 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.


    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health radiography workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand17651887200221272246235824672572267027632851293630193097317232443314338234483510
    Status Quo17651887200221072207230223932482256526442718279028602927299030513111316832243277
    Low Demand17651887200221132218231824142507259526782756283129052975304231063169322932873343

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health radiography workforce in 2021

    1910
    Headcount

    33.3
    Work hours per week

    41.1
    Years average age

    65.1%
    Female

    2.2%
    Aged 60+

    0.9%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    1082
    Headcount

    33.8
    Work hours per week

    40.2
    Years average age

    0.9%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    850
    Headcount

    32.9
    Work hours per week

    42.1
    Years average age

    1%
    Aged 60+

    Radiography junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year
    		20172018201920202021
    Graduates104105131126168

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health radiography workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 1 to 10 | 1 to 10 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0 | 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 1 to 10 | 1 to 100 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • Population demographics and increasing incidence of complex and chronic disease may increase demand for radiography services.
    • Technology and innovation developments require radiographers to be engaged in ongoing training and education to ensure workforce skill mix reflects service need and delivery.  
    • Clinical educator positions and continuing professional development opportunities may help to develop and retain skilled workforce across multiple modalities (i.e. MRI, ultrasound, computed tomography).
    • Physical infrastructure and major medical equipment, in addition to radiography workforce requirements to operate equipment, needs to be considered in service planning to optimise the delivery of radiography services.
    • Interdisciplinary workforce availability impacts on radiography service delivery, efficiency, and scope of practice. For example, radiographers don't work in isolation. They are reliant on radiologists, cardiologists, nurses and wards persons.
    • Responsiveness of on-call services is impacted by availability of suitable and affordable housing in proximity to hospitals.

    Notes

    • Data source: NSW Health. Vacancy data is excluded from the workforce model. Excludes affiliated health organisations.
    • Note: 2040 workforce characteristics reflect the high demand scenario.
    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development