Monday, 1 September 2025
Feedback open | Draft Scope of Practice for Australian sonographers
The ASA are seeking your feedback on the draft Scope of Practice (SOP) that, for the first time, describes the scope of practice for an entry-level Australian sonographer. This is a critical step in formally recognising the clinical expertise and contribution sonographers make to patient care and the healthcare system.
View draft Scope of Practice document
While the focus is on entry-level practice, we have also developed a decision tree to support sonographers in changing, advancing or extending their scope over time. A decision tree is a practical tool to guide decision-making when a sonographer is unsure whether a particular activity, intervention, or responsibility falls within their professional scope.
Why this matters
The draft SOP defines the minimum level clinical capabilities expected of a sonographer graduate upon entering the workforce as an Accredited Medical Sonographer.
Defining an entry-level SOP will:
- improve recognition of core sonographer skills in the health sector and wider community
- clarify minimum standards so students are job-ready when they graduate
- strengthen advocacy with governments on policy, regulation and funding
- support workforce planning across the trans-Tasman health system
- lay the groundwork for a future advanced SOP for experienced sonographers.
The SOP enables individual and professional flexibility in response to ongoing technological advances and evolving professional practices.
How it has been developed
The SOP has been shaped through a structured consensus process (Delphi review), involving an Expert Panel of over 80 sonographers representing all areas of practice across Australia and New Zealand over the past seven months. The Delphi method is designed to achieve broad agreement and minimise bias by gathering input from a wide range of experts over multiple rounds of review.
It has also been informed and guided by a SOP Working Group comprising representatives from the Australasian Sonographers Association, Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine, Professionals in Cardiac Sciences Australia and a consumer representative.
Have your say
You can contribute by completing the online survey by COB Thursday 25 September or joining an online feedback session
Register for Live Webinar | 4 September
Register for Live Webinar | 18 September
For easy reference, an FAQ document is also available about the Scope of Practice project.
If you have further questions, please email policy@sonographers.org.