Registered in Australia

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.
Information on applying for Registration in New Zealand as a Medical Radiation Technologist

Contents:
Background
Mutual Recognition Principle
Medical Radiation Technology
Application Process

Note:
Medical radiation technologists from all Australian States and Territories, if validly registered or holding a relevant EPA licence (NSW and South Australia) are accepted for registration in New Zealand under the TTMRA.

 
Background

In August 1997 the New Zealand Parliament enacted the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA). This Act came into force by Order-in-Council on 1 May 1998. It recognises the regulatory standards adopted in Australia regarding goods and occupations.

 
Mutual Recognition Principle

The Act allows persons registered in Australia and New Zealand who practise substantially the same registered occupations, to move freely between both countries. For those professions where there is State registration in Australia, participation in this process applies to New Zealand and those States which have enacted similar legislation.

If you are registered to practise medical radiation technology or an equivalent occupation in a participating Australian jurisdiction, you are entitled to seek registration in the equivalent occupation in New Zealand. This right is exercised by giving a written notice in the form of a statutory declaration, paying the application fee, providing evidence of entitlement to practise your occupation by supply a current practising certificate/licence or other document evidencing current entitlement to practise medical radiation technology (application form is enclosed).

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition therefore provides an alternative avenue for obtaining registration in New Zealand. Applicants have the choice of applying for registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act or under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.

 
Medical Radiation Technology

Medical radiation technologists remain accountable for acting with appropriate professionalism as required by the statutes of each jurisdiction. In New Zealand the practice of medical radiation technology is governed by the Health Practictioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.  All registered medical radiation technologists are required by law to hold a current Annual Practising Certificate to practise medical radiation technology in New Zealand.  If the Board grants you registration, you will be required to obtain an Annual Practising Certificate before practising your profession here. Your practising certificate will be endorsed with a scope of practice.

 
Application Process

Within one month of your written notice, details, and fee being received by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board, your application for registration will either be granted, postponed, or refused.

The Board makes inquiries of the authorities of any jurisdictions in which you are registered regarding your activities in medical radiation technology and any matters relevant to your written notice.

The Board may postpone or refuse the grant of registration if:

1. Any of the statements or information in the notice required by section 19 are materially false or misleading; or
    
2. Any document or information required by section 19 is materially false or misleading; or
    
3. Any document required by section 19 has not been provided; or
    
4. The Board determines that the occupation in which registration is sought is not an equivalent occupation, and that equivalence cannot be achieved by the imposition of conditions; or
    
5. The circumstances of the applicant have materially changed since the date of the notice or the date it was given.

Pending the grant or refusal of registration, you are deemed to be registered and are entitled to practise medical radiation technology in New Zealand. The Board may impose conditions on deemed registration to achieve equivalence of occupations, to match conditions that apply to your registration in an Australian jurisdiction, or to implement the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition principle in relation to occupations.

Deemed registrants are notified of the Board’s decision within one month of their date of giving written notice. There is a right of review of the Board’s decision to impose conditions on, or to postpone the grant of, or to refuse the grant of registration.

If the Board grants you registration, it may impose conditions to achieve equivalence of occupations, or to match conditions that apply to your registration in an Australian jurisdiction, or to implement the Trans-Tasman mutual recognition principle in relation to occupations. Once granted, registration takes effect as if it had been granted immediately on the giving of the written notice