Department of Health

Key messages

  • It is compulsory to hold a radiation management licence prior to taking possession of a cabinet X-ray unit (i.e. prior to conducting a radiation practice).
  • You must provide supporting documentation when applying for a new radiation management licence or applying to vary an existing radiation management licence.
  • A Radiation Management Plan must be provided with all radiation management licence applications including new applications, variations and transfers.

Overview

A cabinet X-ray unit is an X-ray unit installed in a shielded enclosure. It is used to examine items for security screening or quality control purposes. Common examples of cabinet X-ray units include baggage scanners at airports and X-ray apparatus used to detect foreign material in manufactured products.

A radiation management licence is a mandatory requirement for any company seeking to possess a cabinet X-ray unit. Multiple cabinet X-ray units can be authorised on a single management licence and a separate authorisation is required for each cabinet X-ray unit on the licence. In addition to authorising possession of the cabinet X-ray unit, the radiation management licence may also authorise other practices such as disposal or storage.

Applicants seeking a management licence for a practice involving a cabinet X-ray unit must meet certain prerequisites prior to the licence being issued.

Prerequisites: what information do I include with my application?

The following documentation must be included with your application (electronic files can be attached with your application).

1.Establishment of identity and authorisation

A radiation Management Licence can only be issued to a legal entity. In most cases the legal entity will be a registered company or a person.

If you are applying for a management licence under a company name you must provide:

  • A current Company Extract issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The extract must display the ACN number and the name of the director(s) of the company. A registration of a business or ABN is not accepted as evidence of a legal entity.
  • If you are not a director of the company, then you must provide a Letter of Authority signed by a director of the company. The director must be listed on the ASIC company extract. See, a template for the Letter of Authority. The Letter of Authority will authorise you to do the following on behalf of the company:
    • Apply for a new management licence.
    • Apply to vary an existing management licence.
    • Submit a notification of acquisition and/or disposal.
    • Discuss matters relating to the radiation management licence with the department.

If you are applying for a management licence under a person’s name:

Proof of Identity (Drivers licence or passport showing current physical address) of the person applying to be the licence holder.

  • If you are applying on behalf of another person, then you must provide a Letter of Authority from that person. The letter must be signed by the person that is proposed to be the licence holder. The Letter of Authority will authorise you to do the following on behalf of the proposed licence holder:
    • Apply for a new management licence.
    • Apply to vary an existing management licence.
    • Submit a notification of acquisition and/or disposal.
    • Discuss matters relating to the radiation management licence with the department

2.A Radiation Management Plan

A Radiation Management Plan (RMP) must be submitted when applying for the following:

  • new radiation management licence
  • variation to an existing radiation management licence
  • transfer of an existing radiation management licence to another legal entity.

Please read the Radiation Management Plans page for details on the minimum requirements for cabinet X-ray RMPs.

The standard template for cabinet X-ray RMPs can be used to assist you in preparing your RMP.

Conditions of licence

General and practice specific conditions of licence are mandatory requirements that apply to radiation management licence holders. It is important as a management licence holder that you understand and comply with all the conditions of licence that apply to your licence. Failure to comply with a condition of licence is an indictable offence under the Radiation Act 2005.

General Conditions of licence

Two general conditions apply to all radiation management licence. The general conditions relate to the reporting of incidents and the acquisition and disposal of radiation sources.
Further information on the general conditions can be found on the General conditions - notifications and incident reports page.

Practice specific conditions of licence relating to cabinet X-ray units

Compliance with the NHMRC Statement on cabinet X-ray equipment for examination of letters, packages, baggage, freight and other articles for security, quality control and other purposes (1987)External Link is a practice specific condition that applies to radiation management licences authorising the possession of cabinet X-ray units. Applicants must be familiar with its requirements.

Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes

See the General information about management licences in Victoria page.

Is a use licence required for cabinet X-ray units?

Individuals using cabinet X-ray apparatus are not currently required to hold a use licence. An exemption from the requirement to hold a use licence has been made in the case of cabinet X-ray inspection apparatus used for the examination of letters, packages, baggage, freight and other articles for security and quality control purposes.

Further information on the exemption can be found on the Exemptions from use licence requirements page.

Apply for a management licence or apply to vary an existing licence

All of the department's forms for applications are on-line forms. The form is completed online and automatically emailed to the department with attached prerequisites upon submission.

Complete the online form: Application for a new management licenceExternal Link

Complete the online form: Application to vary a management licenceExternal Link

Reviewed 14 December 2021

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?