Australia’s diagnostic imaging sector is on the cusp of significant reform. From 1 July 2025, a new wave of changes will begin rolling out as part of the multi-year plan first announced in the 2024–25 Federal Budget. These reforms aim to improve access, affordability, and sustainability for imaging services across the country.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes coming into effect this July and what radiologists need to prepare for.
🔍 1. MRI Licensing Restrictions Begin to Lift
From 1 July 2025, practices that already hold an MRI license will automatically be granted a ‘practice-based license’. This means all MRI equipment at that site will become eligible for Medicare rebates, not just the machines named in their current license.
📌 Why this matters:
Many practices currently have to limit Medicare-eligible scans to a single licensed MRI unit. This change unlocks the full capacity of a site, improves patient access, and boosts throughput potential—especially in busy metro areas.
📅 And by 1 July 2027, all comprehensive diagnostic imaging practices in metro zones (MM1) will be eligible for Medicare-funded MRI services—effectively ending the license requirement altogether.
⚛️ 2. Nuclear Medicine Indexation Kicks Off
Starting 1 July 2025, non-PET nuclear medicine services will finally receive annual indexation, helping practices keep up with rising operational costs.
✅ What this means for providers:
This is the first meaningful funding update in years for nuclear medicine imaging. It supports long-term financial viability, particularly for regional practices where these services are expensive to deliver.
📆 Looking ahead:
- PET and adjunctive services will receive annual indexation from 1 July 2027.
🖥️ 3. What’s Already Changed: CT Services
Though not new as of July 2025, it’s worth noting that CT services underwent a 2% MBS schedule fee reduction on 1 November 2024. This cost adjustment reflects government efforts to balance high imaging growth with long-term budget sustainability.
Radiologists may need to adjust billing or diversify service offerings in light of this downward pressure on CT reimbursements.
🧠 How to Prepare
Radiologists and practice managers should begin preparing now by:
- Auditing MRI capabilities to take full advantage of expanded eligibility from July 2025.
- Reviewing nuclear medicine service viability, especially for smaller or rural operations.
- Adjusting long-term budgeting models to reflect changes to CT income and nuclear medicine growth.
The July 2025 milestone represents a major step toward a more open, equitable diagnostic imaging framework—especially in urban areas where demand is highest.
Stay ahead of the curve. Understand these changes and plan your operations accordingly.
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