Becoming a cardiac sonographer in Australia: the pathway explained

To become a cardiac sonographer in Australia, you need to complete a cardiac sonography course accredited by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) and register with ASAR as an accredited sonographer. The course is usually a part-time graduate diploma or master's degree taken after a health or science degree, which you study while working in a supervised clinical training position. Securing that position is often the hardest part of the process.

Scope Institute's echocardiography pathway offers hands-on, practical training designed for this route. Taken either before or alongside your university course, it prepares you for the day-to-day demands of working as a cardiac sonographer.

What does a cardiac sonographer do?

A cardiac sonographer, also called an echocardiographer, performs echocardiograms, which are ultrasound scans of the heart. They capture the images and measurements a cardiologist relies on to evaluate heart health and function.

During a standard scan, the sonographer places a probe on the patient's chest and works through a series of standard views, such as the parasternal long-axis and apical four-chamber views. Using 2D imaging, M-mode and Doppler, they measure chamber dimensions, assess pumping efficiency and check blood flow across the valves. They also determine whether the image quality meets diagnostic standards and draft a preliminary report for the cardiologist to review.

Depending on the workplace, the role may also involve stress echocardiograms, where the heart is scanned before and after exercise. Because this is patient-facing work, explaining the test and keeping patients comfortable are essential parts of the job. Cardiac sonographers work across public and private hospitals as well as outpatient cardiology clinics.

What are the steps to become a cardiac sonographer in Australia?

For most people, it follows a six-step postgraduate pathway:

1. Finish a relevant bachelor's degree. Health and science degrees are the typical starting point, with some universities requiring human anatomy and physiology subjects.
2. Secure a supervised clinical training position in cardiac ultrasound, usually for at least three days a week.
3. Enrol in an ASAR-accredited cardiac sonography course.
4. Register with ASAR as a student sonographer once your clinical placement is confirmed.
5. Complete the course alongside your clinical training. The Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) recommends at least three days a week over two years, totalling roughly 2,200 hours.
6. Upgrade to Accredited Medical Sonographer status upon graduation.

Do you need ASAR accreditation to work as a cardiac sonographer?

In practice, yes. Sonographers who perform Medicare-rebated ultrasound on behalf of a medical practitioner must be listed on the Register of Accredited Sonographers, which ASAR maintains on Medicare's behalf.

To join the register as an Accredited Medical Sonographer, you must hold an ASAR-accredited qualification in medical ultrasound. From there, you maintain your registration by meeting ASAR's continuing professional development (CPD) requirements and paying an annual fee.

Students have their own category. ASAR registers enrolled students as Accredited Student Sonographers, noting that you only need to register once you have a clinical placement. A conditional category is also available for individuals whose employer confirms in writing that they will enrol in an accredited course within 12 months.

Which university courses are ASAR-accredited for cardiac sonography?

Only a handful of courses on ASAR's accredited list are cardiac-specific. As of September 2026, options include:

• Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound: studied online over two years part time, with two-day on-campus blocks in semesters 1 and 3 and a final clinical exam at QUT.
• Adelaide University Graduate Diploma or Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac): part time and online, with the graduate diploma taking two years. You must log at least 2,000 supervised cardiac scans. ASAR's list shows these under the University of South Australia, which merged into Adelaide University in 2026.
• Western Sydney University Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Sonography: two years part time, combining online study with on-campus sessions at Campbelltown and at least 21 hours per week of workplace training.
• CQUniversity Bachelor of Echocardiography and Cardiac Physiology/Graduate Diploma of Echocardiography: a four-year, full-time on-campus program in Brisbane and Sydney open to school leavers. The ASA notes that undergraduate-entry programs like this help students secure placements.

If you live in Victoria, online courses allow you to study from home while completing clinical training locally, though institutions like QUT still require on-campus attendance for intensive blocks and exams. Because course offerings evolve, make sure to check ASAR's current accredited list before applying.

What are the entry requirements for cardiac sonography courses?

Expect two primary requirements: a completed bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, and written verification of a supervised training position in cardiac ultrasound. Specific prerequisites vary by institution:

• Western Sydney University requires a degree in natural and physical sciences or health that includes at least two human anatomy and physiology subjects. You must also secure at least three days a week of workplace training in cardiac sonography, confirmed in writing two weeks prior to starting.
• Adelaide University accepts degrees in areas such as nursing, radiography, health science and human movement, considering other fields on a case-by-case basis. You will need a letter of support confirming a training role supervised by an ASAR-registered cardiac sonographer.
• QUT requires an allied health or science degree (such as medical imaging science, biomedical science or nursing) along with at least three months of full-time-equivalent supervised scanning experience, verified via a clinical supervisor form.

Because QUT expects you to already be scanning in a clinical setting before enrolment, review each university's specific criteria early.

Why is finding a clinical training position so hard?

Most postgraduate programs expect you to arrange this position yourself before admission, and available spots are limited. The ASA says that securing a placement can be competitive, and ASAR's FAQ notes that finding a host practice is difficult, clarifying that ASAR cannot arrange placements for students.

These roles are typically trainee positions within a hospital or private cardiology clinic where an accredited sonographer oversees your training. QUT, for instance, designs its course for students already employed in a suitable clinical practice.

Maintaining the placement is equally critical. Adelaide University notes that students who lose their training position may have to exit early with a graduate certificate, which does not confer ASAR accreditation.

According to the ASA, applicants find positions through their existing employers, through job boards such as Seek, CareerOne and the ASA Jobs Board, or by contacting hospitals and clinics directly. ASAR recommends reaching out to the HR teams of as many imaging practices as possible, both locally and further afield.

Where does Scope Institute's echocardiography pathway fit?

Scope Institute's cardiac sonographer career pathway focuses on practical competency from week one. In Basic Echocardiography alone, you complete 68 hours of supervised practical sessions, while advanced stages introduce you to Heartscope, the cardiology network operated by our parent company, Scope Healthcare Limited. While most postgraduate courses focus on theoretical coursework and rely on your host clinic for scanning time, students often arrive with solid theory but limited probe experience. This pathway is built to provide that missing hands-on practice.

Each course leads to a Scope Institute certificate. Although these certificates are not accredited qualifications, they are well regarded as evidence of structured, supervised scanning hours.

1. Basic Echocardiography: an entry-level course for science or health graduates, with no prior echo experience needed. Over six weeks, you complete 17 half-day practical sessions (68 hours) at our Melbourne training centre alongside at least 24 hours of online learning, scanning an adult volunteer you bring to each practical session. By the end, you should be able to perform a standard echocardiogram on a normal adult within an hour under supervision.
2. Applied Echocardiography (Part 1): a seven-week, 108-hour course covering common pathologies such as cardiomyopathies, pericardial conditions and valve disorders, alongside preliminary reporting skills. Entry requires completion of Basic Echocardiography (or approved equivalent training). It includes a practical session within a Heartscope clinic, followed by a progression review that determines whether you continue.
3. Clinical Rotations (Part 2): an eight-week, full-time observation program (240 hours) across Heartscope and approved clinical sites. Here, you observe echocardiograms and see how echocardiography integrates with electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure services. This stage is unpaid and observation-only, so you do not scan patients, and university recognition of these hours remains at your institution's discretion.
4. Industry Based Learning (Part 3): a salaried, supervised trainee position at Heartscope offered to select candidates, running full time for 72 weeks alongside your university studies. This is employment with Heartscope, which sits outside Scope's courses, meaning there are no Scope tuition fees; you enrol in and fund your university program separately. Note that these 72 weeks may not cover your entire degree duration or all required clinical hours.

What is the conditional Heartscope training-position offer?

This offer bridges Industry Based Learning and your university admission. If selected, you receive a conditional training-position offer and a clinical training support letter to include with your university application, subject to formal approval from your chosen university.

Universities require formal placement verification, such as Adelaide University's letter of support or Western Sydney University's written confirmation. Each university ultimately decides whether the site, supervision model and candidate profile satisfy their entry criteria.

Because this is a paid role involving patient care under a senior sonographer's supervision, vacancies are strictly limited and awarded via interview after completing Parts 1 and 2. For this reason, completing earlier parts does not guarantee a position. Candidates must also meet university academic criteria and secure student registration with ASAR. Those who are not selected can still use their Scope certificates and practical hours when applying for trainee roles with external employers.

Where should you start?

If you have a science or health degree and have not scanned before, you might like to start with a training provider that can assist you with the fundamentals of echocardiography. If you are considering Scope Institute, you may like to start with Basic Echocardiography. Before applying, please make sure to review the prerequisites for your preferred university programs so you understand their clinical placement expectations. To learn more about upcoming intakes or the Part 3 selection process, register your interest or book a consultation with our team.

Sources

• ASAR Accredited Courses – Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry
• Frequently Asked Questions – Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry
• Information for Prospective Students – Australasian Sonographers Association
• Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound – Queensland University of Technology
• Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (Cardiac) – Adelaide University
• 4743 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Sonography (2026 Handbook) – Western Sydney University