  The search for axions has gained ground in recent years, with laboratory
searches for cold dark matter (CDM) axions, relativistic solar axions and
ultra-light axions the subject of extensive literature. In particular, the
interest in axions as a CDM candidate has been motivated by its potential to
account for all of the inferred value of $\Omega_{DM} \sim 0.26$ in the
standard $\Lambda CDM$ model. Indeed, the value of $\Omega_{DM} \sim 0.26$
could be provided by a light axion. We investigate the possibility of
complementing existing axion search experiments with radio telescope
observations in an attempt to detect axion conversion in astrophysical magnetic
fields. Searching for a CDM axion signal from a large-scale astrophysical
environment provides new challenges, with the magnetic field structure playing
a crucial role in both the rate of interaction and the properties of the
observed photon. However, with a predicted frequency in the radio band (200MHz
- 200GHz) and a distinguishable spectral profile, next generation radio
telescopes may offer new opportunities for detection. The SKA-mid telescope has
a planned frequency range of 0.4 - 13.8GHz with optimal sensitivity in the
range $\sim$ 2 - 7 GHz. Considering observations at $\sim 500$MHz, the limiting
sensitivity is expected to be $\sim 0.04$mK based on a 24 hour integration
time. This compares with a predicted CDM axion all-sky signal temperature of
$\sim 0.04$mK using SKA Phase 1 telescopes and up to $\sim 1.17$mK using a
collecting area of (1km)$^2$ as planned for Phase 2.
