ANZSCO 2512-11 South Australia

Medical Diagnostic Radiographer June 2017 Current labour market rating No Shortage Previous labour market rating (June 2016) No Shortage

Comments Survey results suggest the conditions employers encounter when recruiting for advertised medical diagnostic radiographer vacancies in South Australia is stable. For the fourth successive year, employers recently recruiting radiographers were successful in filling most advertised vacancies. Survey results The businesses contacted were both public and private sector organisations. The type of radiographer required by employers was varied; some employers were looking for generalist radiographers while others were looking for more specialist skills in areas such as paediatrics and breast imaging. The survey of employers who have recently advertised for medical diagnostic radiographers found that 75 per cent of vacancies were filled within six weeks. In the last few years employers have experienced like results: 2016 (80 per cent) and 2015 (73 per cent). Similar consistency was observed when comparing the average numbers of applicants received for radiographer vacancies. In the last three years average applicant numbers have fluctuated only slightly; 4.0 in 2017, 4.8 in 2016 and 4.0 in 2015. In the last four years variation has occurred in the average number of suitable applicants per vacancy. In this year’s survey employers received 1.5 suitable applicants per vacancy, compared with 3.2 in 2016, but similar to results in 2014 and 2015. The result of this year’s survey is indicative of a stable labour market with sufficient qualified and experienced medical diagnostic radiographers to fill advertised vacancies and an occupation that is not in shortage.

Unsuitable applicants All employers required applicants with degree level qualifications and registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. The majority of applicants (98 per cent) met this criterion with only a small number having the degree qualification without the required registration. Applicants that were not registered were considered unsuitable. Around 68 per cent of applicants were considered to be unsuitable. The main reason, which was identified by all employers, was applicants presenting with poor written applications and unsatisfactory work references. All employers described the radiography industry in South Australia as small and valued a good work ethic, positive attitude, a good work history and references. Some employers found applicants unsuitable if they could not demonstrate sufficient experience in the specialised areas such as pediatric radiography, researching skills or breast screening.

Labour Economics Office South Australia Department of Employment Alternatively, in a small number of cases, employers identified that candidates with specialised experience, for example use of computed tomography (CT) machinery, did not always fit well with roles requiring generalist radiography skills. Demand and supply trends Rising demand for health care services, combined with new and expanding medical imaging techniques (such as magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and ultrasound) is correlated to an increase in demand for diagnostic radiographers across the public and private sectors. The number of diagnostic imaging services in South Australia increased by 2.8 per cent in 20161. Diagnostic services have increased by an average of 4.3 per cent over a five year period. After two years of strong growth in 2013 (7.3 per cent) and 2014 (9.7 per cent), growth in the number of diagnostic radiographers in South Australia registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia was subdued in 2015 (1.0 per cent) and 2016 (1.1 per cent). In 2016, the count of registered radiographers stood at 9572. Almost three quarters of registered radiologists in South Australia are female (73.4 per cent)3. In 2011 41 per cent of females employed as diagnostic radiographers were employed part-time4. Despite some minor variation, the number of internet advertised vacancies has remained steady over the past four years5. Supply to the occupation is mainly from a bachelor degree in Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) offered by the University of South Australia. Undergraduate completion numbers for radiology vary moderately from year to yeari. Following slight increases in 2013 and 2014, completion numbers decreased in 2015 to fall below the five year average6.

1 Medicare, Quarterly Medical Statistics 2 Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, Registration Data Tables: September 2012 – December 2016 3 Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, Newsletter March 2017 4 ABS Census, 2011 5 Department of Employment, Internet Vacancy Index, May 2017 6 Department of Education and Training, Higher Education Statistics i Note completions were dramatically lower in 2011 due to a change in syllabus structure. In 2008 the medical radiation degree was lengthened from three to four years. This change incorporated the prior requirement for a professional development year into the course.