Dentists in Australia have a lot of career opportunities and varied job scopes. The demand for dentists is continuously on the rise and is projected to grow in the coming years. This is the chance for you to work as a dentist in Australia.

But first, you need to know what to do to start a career in dentistry in Australia.

Here is a complete guide on how an international student can become a dentist in Australia.

How can an International Student Become a Dentist in Australia?

If you are an international student aspiring to become a dentist in Australia, here are the entry requirements in brief:

·        You need to have recognized academic qualifications.

·        Your must have certified grade certificates

·        ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) Score

·        English language proficiency

·        Letter of reference

Below are the detailed steps on how to become a dentist in Australia:

Step 1 - Choose an appropriate dental course

Australia offers many different types of dentistry courses. You need to do thorough research before committing to a specific course. Know your objectives and select a dentistry course tailored to your personal preferences and goals. Go through the academic guidelines on different university websites to get an idea.

Step 2 - Obtain a university degree in dentistry

a.      Direct from high school

Direct entrance to a double degree program is only possible for high-achieving students. Therefore, it’s generally available only for a small percentage of students. A double degree consists of the Bachelor of Science degree which is three years and the Doctor of Dental Medicine program which is four years.

·        You need to satisfy the following requirements to follow this pathway:

·        Achieve a satisfactory performance grading in the assessment which consists of a panel discussion and written test.

·        Obtain a minimum ATAR score of at least 99.6.

·        Meet the minimum English language requirements. You need to sit for the IELTS (Academic) examination and achieve a minimum band seven in all four categories.

b.      After completing a bachelor’s degree

The other option is the most preferred and common option among many students studying dentistry in Australia. It requires you to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Thereafter you can apply for the postgraduate Doctor of Dental Medicine program.

Step 3 - Enrol in a bridging course

As an international student, you need to take a bridging or foundation course which lasts anywhere between 9 and 11 months. This course is a combination of an academic curriculum of your subject area and English language studies.

Once you complete the foundation course, some universities might require you to take a PQA (Personal Qualities Assessment) with an oral test and interview. Once you get through this you can start your Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree.

Step 4 - Register with the Dental Board of Australia

All dentists in Australia are required to register with the Dental Board of Australia before starting practice. You can do this immediately after graduating with a university degree.

Step 5 - Re-register annually to remain in practice

Annual re-registration with the Dental Board of Australia is required to continue in practice. You also need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) activities within three years. These activities include attending conferences, training, workshops, etc.

Step 6 - Pursue a dental specialty

After graduating you can pursue a post-graduate degree specialising in a specific dental field given below.

·        Oral medicine

·        Orthodontics

·        Periodontics

·        Prosthodontics

·        Paediatrics

·        Sedation and pain management

·        Surgery

·        Special needs dentistry

·        Dental implants

·        Population oral health

Read the article Dental Specialties in Australia for more information on the dental specialities you could choose to study..

Register and practise as a Dentist in Australia

An overseas dental practitioner requires to go through an assessment procedure with the ADC (Australian Dental Council) or the TRA (Trade Recognition Australia). This is to ensure that their skills are equivalent to the dental standards maintained in Australia. The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program carried out by the TRA is required if you are applying for a skilled migration visa.

Visa options

Following are the eligible visa options for dentistry.

·        Professional Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) – This allows skilled workers to live and work in specific regional areas in Australia for five years along with their family members. You will be eligible to apply for PR after working for three years.

·        Training Visa (Subclass 187) – This is a short stay visa where you can take part in occupational or vocational training. It is valid for two years and you can take your family along with you.

·        TSS Visa (Subclass 482) – This is a regional visa that needs a standard business sponsor or an overseas business sponsor to sponsor you.

·        RSMS Visa (Subclass 494) – This visa has an age limit of 45 years and is valid for up to 5 years. There are only 10,000 placements available each year for this visa type. You are also required to show English proficiency and pass a skills assessment and test.

Dental Industry Pay Rates

Dentistry is an industry that requires a high skill level. It’s a career that rewards you well in terms of payment. An experienced dental professional can earn approximately $1742 per week. The average working hours of a full-time dentist are about 42 hours.

The article How Much Does a Dentist Make In Australia? provides more information on the pay rates of dentists in Australia.

Industry Insights

The dental industry in Australia is continuously showing strong growth. Below are some statistics on the dental industry in Australia

·        Market size: $11 billion

·        Total number of businesses: 19,365

·        Total number of employers in the industry: 56, 177

·        The number of registered dentists in Australia is over 18,000

The trending data shows that there is an opportunity for growth, especially in the coming five years.

Why Work as a Dentist in Australia

Australia provides many opportunities for dentists, even for international dental practitioners. Following are the reasons why you should work as a dentist in Australia:

·        High earning potential.

·        Flexibility in work and the ability to work according to your schedule.

·        Have your own practice.

·        The opportunity to choose one out of many dental specializations.

·        Help people in achieving better oral health by maintaining dental hygiene.

Conclusion

Working as a dentist in Australia is a rewarding career. There are a lot of job opportunities that require skilled dental practitioners with high salaries.

At, Medfuture we provide the opportunity to pursue a successful career as a dentist in Australia. We have a strong network of top dental practices in Australia and continue to post the latest high-paying dental jobs available across all states and suburbs.

Here are a few related articles to read:

The Definitive Guide to working as a Dentist in Australia

How to Become a Registered Dentist in Australia?

Rising Demand for Dental Services in Australia