Radiography and Medical Imaging is a specialised health science degree that trains students to become registered diagnostic radiographers — healthcare professionals who produce medical images used to diagnose and manage injury and disease. The course covers the controlled use of radiation and other imaging technologies to generate high-quality diagnostic images. Students learn to operate sophisticated equipment including X-ray machines, computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, fluoroscopy units, ultrasound devices, mammography equipment, and angiography systems. The degree typically spans four years full-time and combines on-campus theoretical learning with extensive supervised clinical placements in real healthcare settings. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Medical Radiation Practitioner under the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA), and can also become members of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT).

This course is designed for students who are passionate about combining advanced technology with patient care. It suits those with a strong interest in sciences — particularly anatomy, physics, and biology — and who want a hands-on clinical career in Australia's growing healthcare sector. The program blends medical science, radiographic technique, patient management, and professional ethics to produce graduates who are career-ready from day one. Employers of graduates include public hospitals, private diagnostic imaging clinics, community health centres, accident and emergency departments, operating theatres, and specialist radiology networks. Major employers in Australia include large hospital networks operated by state health departments (such as NSW Health, Queensland Health, and SA Health), as well as private imaging giants such as I-MED Radiology Network, Qscan Radiology Clinics, Queensland X-Ray, and Imed Group, among many others.

For direct school-leaver entry, most Australian universities require completion of Year 12 (or equivalent) with an ATAR typically ranging from the mid-60s to the high-90s depending on the institution and the competitiveness of the intake in a given year. Prerequisite subjects commonly include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and/or Mathematics, though specific requirements vary by institution. Some universities offer subject adjustment points for relevant senior secondary subjects such as Biology or Chemistry, which can boost an applicant's effective selection rank. Applicants who do not meet the ATAR threshold directly from school may be able to transfer into a radiography degree after completing one year of an undergraduate science or health degree with a sufficient Grade Point Average.

For international applicants, English language proficiency is a mandatory requirement. Most universities require an IELTS Academic overall score of at least 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.5 or 7.0, or equivalent scores in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. These high English thresholds reflect the importance of clear patient communication in clinical practice. Mature-age applicants and those without an ATAR may be considered through alternative pathway programs, recognition of prior learning (RPL), or internal transfer arrangements.

All students must also satisfy mandatory pre-clinical compliance requirements before commencing placements. These typically include a current police check, Working with Children Check (or state equivalent), full immunisation records (including hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, and other required vaccinations), and completion of a Level 1 First Aid certificate. Some institutions also require students to obtain a state-based radiation licence prior to attending clinical placements.