Picture perfect partnership to support healthcare delivery in the Far North

18 March 2025
A student in a CQUniversity blue shirt with a dummy on a scanner bed in a radiology lab.jpg
Medical imaging services in Far North Queensland are under significant pressure due to workforce shortages.

By Jocelyn Sticklen

CQUniversity Australia and Queensland X-Ray have announced a plan to join forces to alleviate the critical radiography workforce shortages in the Far North. 

The partnership, which will make a Bachelor of Medical Imaging available in Cairns and Far North Queensland for the first time, aims to provide a long-term solution to shortages, by educating and training local radiographers who will go on to work in the region after graduation.

Introducing the program now and ensuring its long-term success hinges on $27.5 million Federal funding, and a bipartisan commitment at the Federal election to expand CQUniversity’s new Cairns campus.

Planned construction of an additional wing would incorporate dedicated medical imaging teaching spaces.

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said that the University was committed to working with industries within its regional footprint to respond to community need and reduce workforce shortages.

“CQUniversity has a very strong track record when it comes to responding to challenges facing our communities and industries. 

“We know that medical imaging services in Far North Queensland are under significant pressure due to workforce shortages. 

“Provided we secure a $27.5M commitment from an incoming government to increase the capacity of the new campus, we will be able to launch the foundation years of the Bachelor of Medical Imaging in Cairns from 2026 through a partnership with Queensland X-Ray,” Professor Klomp said. 

“Our most recent engagement with industry has made it clear - workforce shortages in medical imaging are impacting healthcare delivery across the region.

“That’s why we don’t want to wait for the new campus to be constructed to bring our Bachelor of Medical Imaging to Cairns - we plan to introduce it in 2026 through our partnership with Queensland X-Ray. But to do that, we need a firm $27.5 million commitment in the upcoming election to ensure the delivery of the course in the longer term is viable and sustainable and that we will be secure in knowing that we can deliver the space and facilities the course needs,” he said.  

CQUniversity Australia and Queensland X-Ray have announced their intent to join forces to alleviate the critical radiography workforce shortages in the Far North

Professor Klomp also highlighted that CQUniversity has already taken steps to enhance the future of healthcare training in the region, adding Physiotherapy to its Cairns offerings last year, with Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology to follow as part of the new campus development.

Jamie Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer from Queensland X-Ray echoed the importance of growing a homegrown medical imaging workforce, stating that regional areas face unique challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals.

“Healthcare workforce shortages exist across the Country, but regional areas are impacted the most by these shortages. 

“We place a huge amount of effort into recruiting and attracting staff however many staff who relocate to the region often don’t stay long-term because they do not have established family and friendship networks in the community.

“By growing our own skilled professionals, we are more likely to retain qualified staff in the region because they will already have established networks and a strong connection to the region. 

“Radiography services are critical within our healthcare system and it is really important for patients to be able to access reliable and urgent care when they need it. Delays in delivering these services have the real potential to negatively impact patient health outcomes. 

“This partnership with CQUniversity is a crucial step toward developing a pipeline of highly skilled medical imaging professionals in the Far North. 

“We fully support CQUniversity’s call for a $27.5 million Federal Government investment to make this a reality,” said Mr Byrnes. 

CQUniversity currently offers its medical imaging course at its Mackay campus.

The four-year course equips students with skills and knowledge to launch a rewarding career in diagnostic imaging and be responsible for providing safe and accurate imaging examinations in a wide range of clinical environments using a variety of imaging modalities and techniques so that appropriate management and treatment of patients and clients can proceed. 

For more information on the course offering please visit the Bachelor of Medical Imaging course page on the CQUniversity website