How to become a Radiation Oncologist

Investigates, diagnoses and treats patients with cancer using radiation therapy for both curative and palliative purposes.

Main tasks

• Examines patients to determine the nature and extent of disease after referral from general medical practitioners and other medical specialists
• Provides patient-centred plans and prescribes radiation to treat cancer
• Oversees radiation treatment and assesses treatment progress
• Manages side effects and symptoms of radiation
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to develop treatment plans for complex cases

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $260,676 a year
• About 21,700 people work in this job group now, and about 28,900 are projected by 2035. (+33%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Dermatologist
• Emergency Medicine Specialist
• Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
• Ophthalmologist
• Pathologist
• Radiologist

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Radiation Oncologist?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

How much does a Radiation Oncologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $260,676 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Radiation Oncologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 21,700 to about 28,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Radiation Oncologist?

Usually. 96% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Radiation Oncologist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04