If the NSW EPA audited your practice today — would you be compliant with radiation regulations?

Running a successful dental practice takes more than clinical expertise. In addition to leading your team, managing finances, and keeping day-to-day operations on track, it's essential to stay on top of your legal responsibilities—particularly when it comes to radiation safety.

With NSW EPA audits on the rise, now is the time to proactively review your radiation compliance. Many NSW practices are doing the same to ensure they’re audit-ready.

This article breaks down what the NSW EPA looks for in audits—helping you stay compliant, avoid penalties, and keep your team and patients safe.

Hands writing on papers with graphs, next to a tablet on a wooden desk. Bright setting, white shirt. Focused and analytical mood. — If the EPA audited your practice today, would you be compliant with radiation regulations?

Your Radiation Management Licence (RML)

If your practice was audited by the NSW EPA, one of the first things they would look at is your Radiation Management License (RML). This must be renewed annually, and while the EPA may issue reminders, it is the responsibility of the radiographic equipment owner to ensure the RML doesn’t lapse. You can apply for, manage, and update your RML via the eConnect EPA portal.

When your RML is reviewed, the NSW EPA checks that all x-ray units in your practice are accurately listed. Each unit is assigned a unique Radiation Regulated Material ID (RRM#), which stays with it for life. If a unit is decommissioned, your license must be updated to reflect its removal—ensuring transparency and traceability of regulated equipment.

Take a moment today to ensure you have a valid RML and that every x-ray unit physically present in your practice is accurately listed.

Certificate(s) of Compliance

During an audit, you'll need to show a valid Certificate of Compliance for each x-ray unit. NSW regulations require all dental x-ray equipment—including intraoral units, OPGs, CBCTs, and portables—to be tested and certified by an EPA-accredited Consulting Radiation Expert (CRE) at the following intervals:

After initial installation
After relocation
After a tubehead replacement
And every five years thereafter

Regular testing matters—x-ray units can wear down, get damaged, or develop hidden faults over time. These issues may lead to inconsistent radiation output or other safety risks. Periodic compliance checks help catch problems early, keeping your team and patients safe from unnecessary exposure.

Note: The NSW EPA doesn’t send reminders—it's up to the equipment owner to track expiry dates and ensure each x-ray unit always holds a valid Certificate of Compliance.

Radiation Warning Signage

Can you spot the required radiation warning signs near your x-ray units?

Dental office door with "OPG" sign. Inside, an X-ray machine and screens. Yellow radiation warning signs are visible on the door and inside.

During an audit, inspectors may check that these signs are clearly displayed. Because ionizing radiation is invisible, proper signage is mandatory for maintaining a safe work environment.

That’s why the NSW EPA outlines specific requirements in Radiation Standard 6: Part 3 – Dentistry:

➡️ A radiation warning sign complying with Schedule 6 of the Regulation must be displayed on the outside of the entry to any room that is designated exclusively for the use of dental or maxillofacial apparatus.

➡️ Where there is no requirement for a radiation warning sign on the outside of the room, there must be a radiation warning sign conspicuously displayed in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus.

Missing signage—or signage that’s faded, damaged, or incorrectly placed—can raise concerns during an audit.

Quality Assurance Records

Auditors may also request to see your Quality Assurance (QA) manual, which should include a log of equipment maintenance services carried out on your equipment.

Keeping these records up to date is mandatory and shows that your practice takes compliance and patient safety seriously.

Need Help?

NSW radiation regulations can feel complex—but you're not alone. At Gamma Tech, we simplify radiation safety for dental practices. Whether it's license applications, shielding, compliance testing, signage, or equipment registration—we're here to help every step of the way

Ready to get started? Click below to download our FREE Self-Assessment Checklist to quickly identify any potential areas of non-compliance!