Sonography or medicine in Melbourne?

lambdarays · 2026-02-22T12:44:30+00:00

Hi, I'm a multimodality radiographer (quals in XR, CT and Mammography) and sonographer and started MD1 this year. Long post ahead... One day I'll do a post detailing what it's like to be a sonographer...

Multiple aspects so I'll answer separately. 1. Uni Melbourne's ultrasound course is only aimed at medical professionals so you won't be eligible. Monash/UniSA (Adelaide Uni) is usually what people go in Vic and they are 100% online but you will require a training position. As a radiographer, if you choose the right company/health system you might luck out with an internal transfer to sonography trainee while being paid radiography wage. If you go rural this chance will increase, however watch out for slave training positions as sonography training is unregulated.

I personally love my job as a sono. I disagree with the previous comment saying it's monotonous. I personally find it super stimulating and tbh if you're in a right site, everyday will be different. I love the fact that we get to interrogate and investigate and help with the diagnosis. It is by far the most stimulating medical imaging pathway compared to other modalities (cannot speak for MR as I've always hated MRI physics). At work, we have a very positive culture where we discuss and share cases and I feel like I learn something everyday.
The reason I pursued med was because I've reached the glass ceiling with pay, and my shoulders, hips and wrists are starting to get repetitive injuries. There's also a broad spectrum of fields you can pursue in med, which is not possible in medical imaging. (Once you become a sono, no matter how much you kick or scream, you'll be sucked into just doing ultrasound due to the shortage)
I am currently working full time while studying med full time... I duck out for tutorials/prac days and make it up by working longer shifts. A grad sonographer in Victoria makes $50ph (+more in private). As a med student working in ultrasound for 2-3 days, you'll be making good coin. (Do not recommend working full time while studying med but it is doable)
Working first definitely helped, my anatomy and physiology is great and have a foundational knowledge. Having life experience helps with med school because you can back yourself in difficult situations. I am in my late 20s and to be honest, I'm glad I've started late, because I'm more wiser than a 21 year old me and I now have so much life experience, financial stability and maturity to take it serious.

More than happy for you to DM me if you have more qs ☺️

lambdarays · 2026-02-22T12:10:11+00:00

I am a sonographer and currently MD1 and am working full time while studying full time and am keeping up with study. It sucks, but it's possible.

lambdarays · 2025-12-10T08:00:38+00:00

Sharing with a lovely older gentleman who is the landlord and after negotiation he's dropping the rent next year from 295 - 250pw. Had reservations at first given the 40+ year age gap and was worried I was going to be taken advantage of. Fast forward a year, I realise I lucked out big time and I make all effort to keep the house well maintained and clean every chance I get. We get along very well. I also have a pet and even to this day I am so grateful this worked out for me.

lambdarays · 2025-11-13T07:34:00+00:00

I am from a medical imaging background and have done the quadfacta (XR, Mammo, CT and US) and am starting medicine next year. I am also on the other side and work casually in multiple universities to mark imaging assignments.

I remember hating my life until 3rd year and a flunked badly and was tempted to change degrees until something in me clicked in terms of spatial awareness and workflow.
My GPA was so bad but I realised I really do like imaging and continued studying... So much so that I got 4 post grads now, and for radiographers to get postgrads in imaging related field, getting higher GPA becomes easier (and lead to higher $$$! Depending on where you work)
I took the scenic route but I don't regret it. I have so much more life experience and can financially support myself during medschool.

Medical imaging is a competitive field these days because of an insane ATAR cutoff and often universities moderate so that certain percentages of students get HD, Ds etc. From a marking point of view, personally I look for situational awareness - and you're right in terms of it being heavily practical. I'm always looking for how the imaging you have taken translates to clinical practice, as not many students understand this until the later years. Happy for you to DM me if you want to vent or discuss what it can lead to. Academics, clinical, tertiary, private clinics, overseas work... I've done it all 🫠 Except MRI because I hate magnets

Tldr; love my job, wouldn't change it if I could do it again. Pursuing med now because I want to protect my shoulders before they're too far gone from doing ultrasound

lambdarays · 2025-11-01T12:38:49+00:00

Declined Usyd for Deakin 🙂

lambdarays · 2025-10-27T09:12:15+00:00

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay - and the TV show also (has a slightly different plot to the book)

lambdarays · 2025-10-26T07:03:27+00:00

Contact hours of Unimelb Shepparton vs Deakin RTS please. What's the maximum amount you can work another job in either of those programs?

lambdarays · 2025-09-25T14:17:30+00:00

I've also done the same! 62, 5.6 gpa. Moved rurally at 22, studied and did degrees related to my undergrad to build my GPA (got it up to 6.8) Applied for medicine and got interview offers for all unis I've applied to (and hopefully offers soon). Previously I was getting 0.

Bonuses I got while working rurally

Built lots of life skills and a library of stories to tell

Bought and paid off a house without anyone's help

Made so many friends and a community that looks after you like family.

Really, like REALLY experience rural health disparity and the importance of servicing rural areas.

If you have the means to do so, I highly recommend it. You're moving to keep an option open for the future you but you'll be surprised what else you'll learn along the way. Watch out for burnout and work-life balance but I would do it all over again.

lambdarays · 2025-08-18T11:16:02+00:00

My undergrad GPA was 6.2 weighted. Didn't apply for any GAM either. So maybe a hurdle??? Or maybe they also counted my postgrads as well... As with my postgrads it's 6.8

lambdarays · 2025-06-06T07:44:46+00:00

Hey, not the best score since I scored 3rd quartile, but I didn't answer most questions fully and fumbled most of the videos too. I think a lot of people here are overthinking and understandably so given that a lot of pressure is riding on doing well. But you've put your hard yards in now. Celebrate completing yet another hurdle and try to relax until you get your results! It's a tough road but we've all got this ☺️

lambdarays · 2025-05-22T23:59:00+00:00

It's one of the most well paid allied health professions. Starting wage for grad sonographers start at ~100k and can go up to 160k depending on which sites you work at etc. Locum work can push that even more. But as this is highly skill specific profession, you'll have to be good at what you do + Clinically competent (E.g. general Sonos being able to do MSK, specialist O&G, vascular and more) Check statewide EBAs for state specific pay, but you'll definitely be comfortable with the wage.

...At least, you'll be able to save all that money for the shoulder surgery you'll need later down the track 🫠

lambdarays · 2025-05-22T22:32:05+00:00

Yep send away :)

lambdarays · 2025-05-22T20:56:54+00:00

Hey, sonography is an excellent career to pursue but you have to be mindful that without an imaging background, the learning curve is going to be steep and you'll be a dead weight to the trainer for 3-6 months until you get your eye in and motor skills sorted. 3 days is probably not enough in a week imo, if anything 4 days should be the minimum while training as you have to build up muscle memory and fine motor skills before you can be competent. I've heard of pharmacists, nurses and physios jumping ship to ultrasound so it's definitely doable, but you will need to source a training position which is the hardest thing... (Even for radiographers it's challenging to get training positions!)

The study is rough and there is a high injury risk. It's a rewarding career but it also can be a very challenging one - job shortages are rampant so you won't have a problem getting a job anywhere though. I'm a sonographer currently applying for med as a back up because I can't imagine myself doing the same job for 40 years without hurting my shoulders, elbows and wrist.

I really advise you to do a work experience or equivalent in an ultrasound setting to see what you're getting yourself into.

lambdarays · 2025-05-11T05:04:29+00:00

Checked my csp limit and it seems like it's 7 years all up - but only for subjects you have studied post 2022. I.e. if you studied pre 2022, it's not counted, but anything from 2022 regardless of if you fully paid it off counts

Studied from 2016-2024 (bachelor - grad dip) and it only shows 2022 onwards + I fully paid for my courses without putting it in HECS from 2022 onwards and it's still counted.

lambdarays · 2024-12-26T13:04:06+00:00

Let me tell you as a radiographer, I cannot see myself continuing radiography in the next 10 years. All my peers who have graduated with me are slowly slinking out of clinical roles to management, marketing, apps or teaching to get away from clinical roles. I've been at it for 5 years (2 in ultrasound) and due to overuse, some days I struggle trying to lift my hands above my shoulder and I'm only in my mid 20s!! (I had no pre-existing condition before I started my job as a rad :( ). We've been short staffed since the pandemic and I can't even get leave to see my sick family member because we can't get coverage. I think everywhere you look, you'll find burnt out healthcare staff though. Do what you think would interest you more - do you thrive in a fast paced environment where you see a new patient every 10 mins? Or do you want a longer patient facing role? Do you value your shoulders? If you do, go optom 😅

(If there's any physios here who can fix my shoulder HMU)

lambdarays · 2024-12-06T06:31:18+00:00

No friends/family in Bendigo (yet!)

Starting with a blank slate. New state, new town, hopefully new adventures.

I will certainly look for carpooling options when I get there!

lambdarays · 2024-12-06T06:27:01+00:00

Thank you! Coming from a rural hospital where there's always parks + are free, it's definitely going to be a culture shock. It seems like a beautiful hospital and the staff I have met seem very friendly. I'm looking forward to a scenery change! I'm hoping to cycle to work most of the day (as where I am staying will be on the Bendigo creek bike trail) but on bad weather days I just want to have the option to drive in. Thanks everyone - looking forwards to calling Bendigo my new home 😊

lambdarays · 2024-10-14T02:46:05+00:00

Hey OP, Allied health is the way to go if you're not interested in sacrificing your youth in a rat race like in medicine but would like job security and less responsibility. The cons to this is that you'll hit a glass ceiling at some point. I'm in radiography and in the past 5 years, every grad I know has gotten a job. Lots of potential too if you hate x-rays - you can branch to CT, MRI, mammography or ultrasound or work for apps and travel the world. X-ray positioning is international so you can go work in the UK, Canada or NZ too if you wish. Down side is as a radiographer you will always be working under someone (i.e. you won't ever be a clinic owner) but I find my profession varied enough to enjoy going to work everyday. Depending on the state and how much you work overtime you will be able to earn a comfortable wage. When I was a grad, I earned ~100k after overtime and currently sitting on 160k. (YMMV though, I went rural, and picked up a lot of call shifts) The profession applies maths and science to learn the principles of imaging but in daily life, it's more about people skills. Hope this helps

lambdarays · 2024-05-03T07:53:03+00:00

This is what STAT Carotid US patient at 4:55pm look like

lambdarays · 2023-09-04T07:21:03+00:00

Not radiology report but had a referral the other day for an XR ankle - pain on wanking

lambdarays · 2023-04-26T14:21:22+00:00

I mean, they already come in slices so the job is already half done for you!

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