Department of Health

What type of licence do you need?

The Victorian Radiation Act 2005 (the Act) outlines a number of serious offences. Some of these relate to the need for a person or a company/organisation to hold certain types of authorisations or licences before using a radiation source or conducting a radiation practice such as possessing a radiation source.

Do you want to conduct a radiation practice?

You will need a Management licence.

The Act requires that a person hold a management licence before they conduct a radiation practice. A management licence authorises a legal entity or an individual to conduct a radiation practice, for example.

Any person, business or organisation that intends to conduct a radiation practice (such as possessing radiation sources such as X-ray units or radioactive material) must hold a management licence before they conduct the practice (e.g. before acquiring a radiation source).

Companies or other forms of legal entities hold these licences rather than an individual. Employees of a company typically do not need to hold this type of licence.

If you think you might need such a licence because of an unusual employment relationship, email radiation.safety@dhhs.vic.gov.au before applying for the management licence.

For more information, see Management licences.

Do you want to use an X-ray unit or radioactive material?

You will need a Use licence.

The Act requires that an individual hold a use licence before using a radiation source such as an X-ray unit or radioactive material. Put simply, this means you cannot use X-ray units or radioactive material unless you hold a use licence or are exempted from the requirement.

Only individuals may hold this type of licence. Companies or other types of organisations do not need to hold this type of licence. Typically, it is their staff who need to hold this type of licence.

For more information, see Radiation use licences.

Do you want to test medical diagnostic X-ray units for compliance with radiation safety standards?

You need to apply to become an Approved tester.

Only approved testers can issue certificates of compliance indicating that a medical diagnostic X-ray unit has been tested and has met the Victorian radiation safety standards for that type of equipment.

Only individuals may hold this type of authorisation. Companies or other types of organisations do not need to hold this type of authorisation. Typically, it is their staff who need to hold this type of licence.

For more information, see Approved testers.

Do you want to issue certificates of compliance for security plans?

You need to apply to become an Approved assessor.

Only approved assessors can issue certificates of compliance indicating that a security plan or transport security plan has met the requirements of the Act.

Only individuals may hold this type of authorisation. Companies or other types of organisations do not need to hold this type of authorisation. Typically, it is their staff who need to hold this type of licence.

For more information, see Approved assessors.

For information about high consequence radioactive material, see Security of high consequence sealed sources.

Do you want to construct a new facility where you wish to house high consequence radioactive material or to renovate an existing facility for this purpose?

You will need a Facility construction licence.

The Act requires that a person hold a facility construction licence before they commence:

  • construction of a facility where they wish to house high consequence radioactive material; or
  • change the use of land that they own or occupy to use for this purpose; or
  • change the use of a building that they own or occupy to use for this purpose.

These licences will almost always be held by a company or some other form of legal entity rather than an individual.

Employees of a company typically do not need to hold this type of licence. If you think you might need such a licence because of an unusual employment relationship, we encourage you to email radiation.safety@dhhs.vic.gov.au before applying for a facility construction licence.

It is important to note that this type of licence does not authorise the possession of high consequence radioactive material. A management licence is required for that type of authorisation.

For more information, see Facility construction licences.

For information about high consequence radioactive material, see Security of high consequence sealed sources.

More information about Management licences.

Reviewed 03 February 2020

Health.vic

Contact details

Our phone service is available Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 1.00pm or we can be contacted via email. 

Radiation Safety Department of Health GPO Box 4057, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Was this page helpful?