Education level
Job area
Your role as a radiation therapist
As a radiation therapist, you'll use a high energy medical device called a linear accelerator to treat cancer patients. You'll be responsible for:
- delivering safe and effective treatments
- creating a treatment plan for your patient's exact physiology and needs using CT and MRI scanners
- helping patients understand their procedure and what to expect.
What your day might look like
You'll work with other specialists as part of the cancer (oncology) team in a hospital. As an expert in radiation, you'll need a mix of clinical and technical knowledge and know:
- how radiation will affect all parts of the body
- the best equipment and techniques to use for each patient's needs
- how much and how often to give treatment
- how to find right the balance between the benefits and risks of each procedure.
Your role will also involve a large amount of patient care. You'll need to make sure they're safe and in the right position for each procedure. They may have questions or feel anxious about their treatment. It's your role to support and reassure them through their whole treatment cycle.
You'll work closely with other cancer specialists. You'll report back to the patient's care team after every treatment so you can adapt their plan if you need to.
Learn more about working as a radiation therapist on Your Career.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in radiation therapy that's accredited by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.
Professional registration
Registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at health professional grade health practitioner grade 3, pay point 1. You’ll get a different rate if you’re in a higher level role.
We also offer:
- a radiation therapy development allowance
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- extra annual leave days for some roles
- salary packaging
- help with ongoing professional development costs.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
You may also be able to get financial incentives and other benefits if you work in rural and remote areas.
Read about our opportunities for rural allied health careers.
Professional growth
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an essential part of being a radiation therapist. You'll have opportunities to build CPD points through things like:
- workplace learning and coaching
- self-directed learning
- professional development and upskilling opportunities.
- clinical and medical research.
Career paths
Doing more training or qualifications after you become a radiation therapist can lead to other roles.
- Sonographer
- Digital imaging systems management
- Clinical educator
- Research
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.