Page updated 5 May 2020

Many members are being impacted with reduced hours as well as possible redundancies, as demand significantly declines for non-essential scans due to increasing social isolation requirements.

At the same time, Health departments are forecasting that up to one-third of the critical workforce will end up in self isolation and unable to work over the coming months.

Health departments are now making plans to have a workforce pool ready for the peak surge in demand for healthcare.

A call out for Allied Health workers to move into the public system as well to assist in backfilling roles has commenced, many roles such as basic care, assisting doctors, wound care and navigating the health system will need to be covered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Both the Australian and New Zealand governments have also announced Financial Support packages.

For those seeking opportunities for workforce redeployment or financial assistance, this page will be updated regularly, as new information comes to hand.

ASA STATEMENT

ASA statement on the impact of COVID-19 on sonographers and employers

AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL

RANZCR statement: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Availability of Clinical Radiology in Australia (24 Apr 2020)

Australian sonographers previously registered as radiographers - COVID-19 re-registration:

Australian sonographers who have left the MRPBA register of practitioners or have moved to a non-practising registration in the past three years have been automatically re-registered on the temporary pandemic response sub-register. For further information, or to learn how to opt-out, go to the AHPRA website here.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ACT Health is asking health professionals with skills relevant to the fight against COVID-19 to send their resume and contact details to CHS.PCResponse@act.gov.au . 

*please note no further supporting information is available from ACT Health at this time.  This call out is very new and we will update this page as information emerges. 

NEW SOUTH WALES

COVID-19 Health workforce response - Expressions of Interest

COVID-19 Health workforce - FAQs 

Organisations that are interested in supporting the COVID-19 workforce can show their Expressions of Interest

NORTHERN TERRITORY

COVID-19 Health Workforce Response - Expressions of Interest

*please note no further supporting information is available from NT Health at this time, but we will update this page as information comes to hand. 

QUEENSLAND

Queensland Health has released an Expression of Interest for health and support workers, including allied health professionals (Updated 24 March 2020)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

COVID-19 Health workforce response - SA Health recruitment drive

VICTORIA

COVID-19 Health workforce response - Expressions of Interest

Barwon Health has put out an urgent call for health professionals to build its workforce in response to COVID-19 - Expressions of Interest

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Applications for redeployment in fixed-term metropolitan roles

Applications for redeployment in fixed-term regional roles

TASMANIA

Expressions of interest – COVID-19 staffing

 

NEW ZEALAND

Demands on medical imaging may well increase and the MRTB is working with the Ministry of Health to assist with having contingency plans in place to ensure the medical imaging and radiation therapy workforce is adequately resourced during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Expressions of interest are also being sought from practitioners who have let their APC lapse and would like to return to work for a limited amount of time as part of the national strategic approach to managing COVID-19.  If you know anyone in this category, we would greatly appreciate you bringing this news item to their attention. Expressions of interest can be lodged by completing the form. 

RANZCR Statement: Patient Access to Imaging Services in New Zealand – During and After COVID-19 Social Distancing (15 Apr 2020)

MEDIA RELEASE : Website information for all health workers (25 March 2020)

Alternatively, if you are a health organisation who needs to employ extra workers to help manage COVID-19, please log a workforce request using the NZ Ministry of Health employer form.

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES

AUSTRALIA

Australian Government Financial Support for Individuals

Key information includes:

  • Financial support for a permanent employee who has been stood down or lost your job
  • Financial support for a sole trader, self-employed, a casual or contract worker whose income has reduced

Australian Government Financial Support for Business

Key information includes:

  • The JobKeeper payment subsidy to business 
  • Employers can receive a payment of $1500 per eligible employee per fortnight
  • Each eligible employee will receive at least $1500 per fortnight from this business (before tax)

Human Resources Support

Fair Work Australia information:

Safe Work Australia resources 

 

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Government Financial Support

Key information includes:

  • $12.1 billion package to support New Zealanders and their jobs

Human Resources Support

Key information includes:

  • information if you have lost hours, work or your job

 

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

 

2020 ASA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

ASA membership renewal will open on 10 June 2020. To hopefully relieve some of the financial burden, there will be no fee increase for membership or insurance and we will be moving to monthly payments for your membership fees. Insurance payments will remain an upfront payment however we have extended the time you have to make the payment until 1 October 2020. 

We understand many of you may be facing financial hardship and if this is the case, please contact the office at memberservices@sonographers.org and they will be able to provide additional options for you.