Cyclic Testing
Warning: If a compliance tester claims you are currently in breach for not having a cyclic test performed on an existing apparatus prior to the due dates listed below, they are providing inaccurate information.
Cyclic Compliance Testing for Diagnostic X-ray Apparatus
There has been recent confusion regarding the timelines for cyclic compliance testing in South Australia. Some owners have reported being incorrectly told by third parties that they are already in breach of legislation prior to the due date. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has introduced these requirements in a staged approach to manage the availability of accredited testers and reduce pressure on owners.See SA EPA information and guidance document.
Key Changes
The key changes to compliance testing:
- 1. The requirement for X-ray units to undergo annual servicing has been removed.
- 2. Cyclic X-ray compliance testing has commenced.
Cyclic Testing Timeframes
The EPA has established specific frequencies and commencement dates for cyclic compliance testing across all diagnostic X-ray apparatus types. For existing apparatus (registered prior to the commencement date) the first cyclic test must be completed by the date listed in the "Due Date" column below.
| Apparatus design/use | Frequency of testing | Commencement Date | Due Date* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computed tomography | 2 years | 11/02/2024 | 11/02/2026 |
| Fluoroscopy (including apparatus capable of both fluoroscopy and plain radiography) | 2 years | 11/02/2024 | 11/02/2026 |
| Mammography | 1 year | 11/02/2025 | 11/02/2026 |
| Plain radiography | 2 years | 11/02/2025 | 11/02/2027 |
| X-ray absorptiometry apparatus | 5 years | 11/02/2026 | 11/02/2031 |
| Dental radiography (including plain, panoramic, and cephalometric radiography and cone-beam computed tomography) | 5 years | 11/02/2026 | 11/02/2031 |
*Due Date for existing apparatus, not applicable to new apparatus. All newly installed apparatus must be compliance tested within 60 days of installation.
Understanding Your Deadlines
You are not required to have an existing apparatus tested immediately.
E.g. for a dental apparatus
- The cyclic testing frequency is every 5 years.
- Existing Apparatus: If your X-ray unit was registered before 11/02/2026, you must complete your first cyclic compliance test within the first 5-year cycle—meaning by 11/02/2031.
- Newly Installed Apparatus: If your unit was installed after 11/02/2026, you must complete a compliance test within 60 days of the installation and the cyclic tests are due in 5 year intervals from the installation date.
Documentation
New installations must have compliance tests submitted to the SA EPA. Cyclic test reports do not generally need to be submitted to the EPA, but you must retain all documentation (Certificates of Compliance and Test Reports) for auditing purposes.
Accreditation
Compliance testing must be completed by an accredited third-party compliance tester. A person trained to install and service equipment may not be an accredited compliance tester. See here for the SA EPA list of accredited compliance testers.