Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for Computed Tomography have been updated by ARPANSA and published in June 2025. The revised CT DRLs are applicable to facilities accredited under either DIAS or the RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation Program.
Summary of changes:
- Changes to existing adult CT DRL benchmarks
- 2 additional adult scan types have been introduced; paranasal sinuses and low-dose CT (LDCT) chest
- Change from age-only groupings for paediatric DRLs; now with 5 age bands for head scans, and 5 weight bands have been introduced for body scans (chest CT and abdo-pelvis CT).
- New paediatric DRL data collection method will change to an Excel workbook model
The new CT DRLs and details of changes can be found on ARPANSA’s website.
Submissions for accreditation from 1 January 2026 will need to provide evidence that the facility’s policies and/or protocols have been revised to include the updated CT DRLs, and that DRL reviews conducted after 1 January 2026 have been compared against the updated CT DRLs.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has published the following Advisory Statement on their website detailing the changes:
- Advisory DI25/02: Diagnostic reference levels for multi detector computed tomography
For additional information contact tracy.fleming@nata.com.au