Thursday, 10 April 2025
Advocating for Safe Ultrasound and Women’s Health
Expectant parents across Australia are increasingly seeking ultrasound scans for reassurance and connection during pregnancy. While these needs are entirely valid, a concerning number of non-medical scanning services are now operating outside clinical care and without appropriately qualified staff. These services carry significant risks to maternal and fetal wellbeing.
The Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) is responding to this issue through national advocacy. We continue to reinforce the vital role of qualified sonographers in women’s healthcare and highlight the need for safe, regulated ultrasound practice.
Raising public awareness and promoting safety
Media coverage in recent weeks has drawn attention to the growth of non-clinical ultrasound services. ASA has contributed expert insight to this coverage, helping to raise awareness of the risks posed by unregulated scans and reinforcing public understanding of the sonographer’s role in safe, evidence-based care.
Expectant parents across Australia are increasingly seeking ultrasound scans for reassurance and connection during pregnancy. While these needs are entirely valid, a concerning number of non-medical scanning services are now operating outside clinical care and without appropriately qualified staff. These services carry significant risks to maternal and fetal wellbeing.
The Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) is responding to this issue through national advocacy. We continue to reinforce the vital role of qualified sonographers in women’s healthcare and highlight the need for safe, regulated ultrasound practice.
Raising public awareness and promoting safety
Media coverage in recent weeks has drawn attention to the growth of non-clinical ultrasound services. ASA has contributed expert insight to this coverage, helping to raise awareness of the risks posed by unregulated scans and reinforcing public understanding of the sonographer’s role in safe, evidence-based care.
Understanding the risks of non-medical scans
Non-diagnostic ultrasound scans are often marketed as “reassurance” or “bonding” experiences. When performed by unqualified individuals, these scans can result in:
- Missed abnormalities or false reassurance
- Emotional distress from unclear or incidental findings
- Unsafe or excessive exposure to ultrasound energy
- No pathway for clinical follow-up or care
These services are not a substitute for diagnostic ultrasound and should not be relied on to inform pregnancy care decisions.
Advocating for safe, professional care
ASA continues to discourage the non-medical use of ultrasound and calls for all pregnancy-related imaging to be performed by qualified sonographers in accredited clinical settings.
To strengthen public messaging, we recently provided input into the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s draft consumer fact sheet on pregnancy ultrasound. Our feedback focused on ensuring clarity around diagnostic versus non-diagnostic scans and highlighting the importance of qualifications and clinical oversight.
Advancing the case for regulation
Unlike other medical imaging practitioners, sonographers are not registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This regulatory gap creates risks for patients and undermines the integrity of the profession.
ASA continues to advocate for the inclusion of sonographers under the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, administered by AHPRA This reform would:
- Protect patients by establishing enforceable professional standards
- Ensure only qualified practitioners can use the title “sonographer”
- Strengthen workforce accountability and public confidence
Supporting women’s health through qualified care
Sonographers play a central role in supporting women’s health throughout pregnancy. Sonographer expertise enables accurate diagnosis, informed clinical decisions, and compassionate care during an emotionally significant time.
Unqualified scanning services compromise this standard of care and risk undermining public trust. ASA remains committed to protecting the reputation of the profession and ensuring the highest standards of care for every patient.
Our ongoing commitment
ASA will continue to:
- Advocate for national regulation of sonographers
- Promote qualified, person-centred pregnancy care
- Support sonographers as trusted, frontline health professionals
- Protect the integrity and visibility of the profession across all settings
Learn more
ASA Position Statement on Non-Medical Ultrasound
What Regulation Under the NRAS Would Mean for Sonographers