DENTISTS
To work as a dentist in Australia, you must be registered with the Dental Board of Australia (the Board). To be eligible for registration, you must hold a qualification that is equivalent to an Australia 4-year full-time degree in dental practice. The Australian Dental Council (ADC) coordinates assessment of dental qualifications. If you are not eligible to apply directly for registration with the Board, you will need to be assessed through the ADC's examination process to gain an ADC certificate which deems you eligible to apply for registration with the Board.
If you are registered to practice in New Zealand, please click here.
If you are applying for a Visa, please click here.
Key Terms: The Australian Dental Council (ADC); the Dental Board of Australia (the Board);
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01
Check your qualifications with the Board
The first step is to check if your qualification is recognised by the Board as being substantially equivalent to an approved qualification (Australian degree). This is for those with degrees from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom. Once you have found your qualification on the list, you can apply for general registration with the Board. If your qualification is not on the list, you will need to complete the ADC's examination process.
02
ADC Assessment
The ADC assessment process includes three parts;
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Initial assessment: qualifications check. This takes approximately 8-weeks. See below for documentation requirements.
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Written examiniation: either a multiple choice exam (general dentists) or written exam (dental hygienists, dental therapist, and oral health therapists; and dental prosthetists) to tesk your knowledge and clinical practice reasoning skills. This is conducted over one or two days according to your dental profession.
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​Practical examination: simulation based exam to test your practical skills. This is conducted over one or two days according to your dental profession.
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There are three pathways to complete the assessment process according to your qualifications and profession. Each stage of the examination process is slightly different for each dental profession:
​General dentists: 4-year full-time degree or diploma.
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​Dental hygienists, dental therapist, and oral health therapists: 3-year full-time degree or diploma.​
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Dental prosthetists: 4-year full-time degree or diploma.
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Timeframe: The written and practical examinations are completed in person. The ADC schedules the examinations each year. You can expect the written examinations to be conducted twice a year. The practical examinations are scheduled according to the outcomes of the written examination. Please see the ADC website for application deadlines.
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Locations: The written examination for general dentists is held in locations around the world. For dental hygienists, dental therapist, and oral health therapists, and dental prosthetists, it is held in Melbourne.
03
Registration with the Board
Once you have successfully completed all assessment stages with the ADC, they will provide you with a certificate that acknowledges your eligibility for general registration with the Board. You will still need to ensure you meet all registration standards to be successful.
New Zealand registered professionals
If you are registered to work as a dentist in New Zealand, you may apply directly for general registration with the Board in Australia under Trans-Tasman mutual recognition. You do not have to have qualifications from New Zealand.
Visa Applicants
The ADC also conducts skills assessments to be used for Visa applications. This process takes around 8-weeks and costs AUD$647. You may also be required to complete the ADC's assessment process which includes it's own costs and expected timeframe. Click here for more information.
The ADC can complete a skills assessment specifically for dental assistants who wish to migrate under the Designated Area Migration Agreement. Click here for more information.
Need-to-know
Estimated Costs
(in AUD)
Estimated Time Commitment
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​ADC Assessment: estimated to take between a year and 18 months due to scheduling and processing times.
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General Registration:
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Dental Assistant Skills Assessment: 8 weeks
Documentation
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For the ADC assessment, all documents must be translated to English. The Australian Dental Council prefers applicants to provide translations completed by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translator and Interpreters (NAATI), under the designation of Certified Translator. Click here for translation guidelines.
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Qualification documents include: academic transcript, testamur/ degree certificate, internship certificate.
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Other documents include: passport, passport photo, name change certificate.
English Language Requirements
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For general registration, you will need to show you are proficient in English. Click here for information on Ahpra's requirments.
Other Career Options:
If you are unable to gain recognition for your full qualifications, here are some other options for careers you may pursue in Australia;
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Dental Assistants: the ADC completes skills assessments for dental assistance who wish to migrate to Australia under the DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement). Click here for more information.