The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has sounded a warning to unlicensed X-ray operators after a radiographer and a medical diagnostic imaging company were fined for using a portable X-ray device on thousands of elderly patients across Sydney without a licence.
The NSW EPA successfully prosecuted Mobile X-ray Services Pty Ltd and radiographer Dean Brockdorff for using radiation material without a radiation user licence, with the Local Court of NSW ordering the company and its employee to pay more than $93,000 in fines and penalties.
From June 2020 to August 2023, Mr Brockdorff conducted more than 3,000 X-rays without a licence, including hundreds of scans at aged care facilities in Castle Hill, Maroubra, Blacktown, Randwick, Marayong, Woollahra and Kellyville.
NSW EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said all X-ray operators need to understand their compliance obligations under the Protection from Harmful Radiation Act 1990 or risk facing the consequences.
“In this case thankfully no one was hurt, but this prosecution sends a strong signal to businesses using X-rays that they must maintain stringent oversight of staff licensing and qualifications,” Mr Chappel said.
“Just like a driver’s licence, a radiation user licence must be renewed regularly, giving consumers confidence that a radiographer has met the highest standards of training.
“Offences under NSW’s radiation laws are treated very seriously due to the risk of harm, and court-ordered penalties may include imprisonment in the most extreme circumstances.”
Previously, in November 2025, in a separate case, Mr Brockdorff was convicted on 14 charges and ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and $16,487 in legal costs in a case brought to court by the NSW EPA.
On Friday, 6 February, Mobile X-ray Services was found guilty of 15 charges in the Local Court of New South Wales, and given a penalty of $42,300, with the company ordered to pay $24,500 of the EPA’s legal costs.
For more information about radiation licences, go to: Radiation user licence | EPA
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