For International Radiographers·Last updated: 10 October 2026

OET for Radiographers — HCPC & AHPRA Pathway

Internationally trained radiographers pursuing UK HCPC or Australian AHPRA registration can apply on the OET scores each regulator sets. The HCPC requires a total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, AHPRA requires 350 in Listening and Writing and 360 in Reading and Speaking, which is above the Grade B minimum in two sub-tests. Writing is the most retaken sub-test in our radiography cohort — usually because of the register shift from imaging reports to letter prose.

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Quick answer

For internationally trained radiographers, OET is accepted for HCPC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) registration. The HCPC sets a total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, AHPRA requires 350 in Listening and Writing and 360 in Reading and Speaking. Writing is the most retaken sub-test — typically because radiographers default to structured imaging-report format (Indication / Technique / Findings / Conclusion) when the OET requires flowing paragraph prose. The criterion most often lost is Genre & Style.

Key takeaways for radiographers

Grades: HCPC: total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, none below 300. AHPRA (tests from 23 April 2026): 350 in Listening and Writing, 360 in Reading and Speaking.
Most common letter type: Referral for further imaging / specialist review, or a follow-up report letter to the referring clinician.
Top criterion lost: Genre & Style — defaulting to bullet-point report format when prose letter format is required.
Validity: 2 years from test date.

Required OET Scores by Regulator

Regulator

Country

Required (Writing)

Combine?

HCPC

United Kingdom

Total 1400, no sub-test below 300

Check HCPC

AHPRA

Australia

350 Listening and Writing, 360 Reading and Speaking (tests from 23 Apr 2026)

Yes, 12 months

MRTB

New Zealand

B (350) in all four (OET Radiography)

No — one sitting

CORU

Ireland

B (350) in all four

Yes — two sittings in 6 months, none below C

The Two Letter Types Radiographers Write Most

1. Imaging referral letter

Sent to a specialist (oncology, surgery, neurology) following imaging findings that need further review. Tests your ability to communicate findings in a clinical narrative — not a structured report.

Marking watch-out: Genre & Style — write in paragraphs, not bullet points.

2. Follow-up report letter

Sent to the referring clinician with imaging findings, recommendations, or post-procedure updates. Addressee is often a GP or specialist team.

Marking watch-out: Conciseness — include key findings, omit incidental detail unless clinically relevant.

OET Radiography: Which Modalities Does It Cover?

OET radiography case notes are not tied to a single imaging type. Practice material spans general radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and procedural radiography, so the letters you write mirror the range of modalities a working radiographer actually reports on rather than one narrow scenario.

To see the standard expected at Grade B, review a full worked OET radiography referral letter sample, annotated against all six criteria.

The Three Mistakes That Cost Radiographers Their Grade

Bullet-point report format

Costs marks in: Genre & Style

Defaulting to imaging-report style (Indication / Technique / Findings / Conclusion) when the OET requires connected paragraph prose. Fix: rewrite findings as flowing sentences.

Listing every imaging finding

Costs marks in: Conciseness & Clarity

Including every incidental finding to be thorough. Fix: include only findings clinically relevant to the referral question and recommendation.

Technical terms without context

Costs marks in: Language / Genre

Using abbreviations and modality-specific terms without context for a non-imaging addressee. Fix: expand on first use or rephrase for the addressee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which regulators accept OET for radiographers?+

The UK HCPC and Australian AHPRA both accept OET for diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists. The HCPC sets a total score of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, AHPRA requires 350 in Listening and Writing and 360 in Reading and Speaking, and accepts results from two sittings within 12 months if no score is below 320 in Listening, 340 in Reading, 350 in Writing and 350 in Speaking.

What letter type do radiographers write in OET?+

Radiographers most often write a referral letter (to another clinician for further imaging or specialist review) or a follow-up report (communicating findings or post-procedure recommendations). The case notes are imaging-specific — including modality, findings, contrast use, and any incidental findings worth flagging.

Why is OET Writing tough for radiographers specifically?+

Radiographers spend their working week writing structured imaging reports — bullet-point, technical, dense. The OET Writing sub-test asks for prose-format letters, which is a register shift many find awkward. The most common criterion lost is Genre & Style — defaulting to report-style bullets when the format requires connected paragraphs.

Are radiography case notes available for practice?+

Yes. We provide radiography-specific practice case notes covering general radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and procedural radiography. Our correctors mark against the same six OET criteria a real examiner uses.

What is OET for radiographers?+

OET for radiographers is the Occupational English Test route used by internationally trained diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists registering with regulators such as HCPC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia). Requirements vary by regulator: the HCPC sets a total score across the four sub-tests with a minimum for each. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, AHPRA requires 350 in Listening and Writing and 360 in Reading and Speaking.

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Send a radiography letter for correction

Marked against the six OET criteria by a corrector aware of imaging conventions. 24-hour turnaround.

Get My Letter Corrected

Ready to fix the mistakes costing you marks in radiography? Dr Mariam's professional OET writing correction service marks every letter against all six OET writing criteria and returns line-by-line corrections within 24–72 hours.

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