Do you desire to work as a dentist in Australia? With the help of this article, you can immigrate to Australia as a dentist and learn important details about the requirements, possibilities, and procedures. So, let us tell you how to practice as a dentist in Australia and let you make your dream a reality.
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ToggleCan a Foreign Dentist Work in Australia?
Yes, there is a dentist demand in Australia, but they must meet Australian dental registration requirements. Dentist immigration to Australia typically involves undergoing a skills assessment by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) or the relevant assessing authority to ensure their qualifications and experience meet Australian standards.
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Immigration to Australia as a Dentist
How to Immigrate to Australia as a Dentist?
To work as a foreign dentist in Australia, you must go through several steps:
Step 1. Assessing Your Eligibility
To immigrate to Australia as a dentist, you must determine if you meet the requirements set by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) to start working as a dentist in Australia:
- Possess a primary dental qualification (Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent) that the ADC recognizes.
- Have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of post-qualification clinical experience.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language:
- IELTS: At least 7, with a minimum score of 7 in each component
- OET: A minimum score of B in each component
- Successfully pass the ADC examination
- Evidence of good standing with the dental regulatory authorities where you have practiced.
- Demonstrate ongoing commitment by participating in continuing education programs.
- You’ll need character references or police clearances from every country you’ve lived in for the last 10 years.
A dentist moving to Australia must go through a dentist skill assessment Australia:
- Go to the official website of the Australian Dental Council.
- Create an online account or portal to submit your application.
- Download the application forms and guidance documents.
- Complete the application forms accurately.
- Submit an application to the ADC along with all required documentation.
- The ADC will review your application and documents.
- Take the ADC examination. You can read about it in the below section.
- The ADC will provide you with an assessment outcome.
- If eligible, you can apply for registration with the Dental Board of Australia.
- The fee ranges from approximately $3,000 to AUD 5,000. The process may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
Step 2. Taking the ADC Examination
To immigrate to Austalias a dentist, you must pass the ADC examination to demonstrate your clinical skills and knowledge. The ADC exam for overseas dentists is designed to evaluate the clinical skills and knowledge of dentists.
The ADC examination consists of two parts:
- Written Examination to assess your theoretical knowledge of dentistry. It includes topics such as dental sciences, clinical dentistry, and professional ethics.
- Practical Examination to evaluate your clinical skills through simulated clinical scenarios. You must demonstrate your ability to diagnose and treat dental conditions.
To apply for the ADC exam, you must:
- Visit the ADC website and create an online account to initiate the application process.
- Upload copies of your qualifications, professional credentials, and other required documents.
- Pay the examination fee of $2,000 to AUD 3,000.
- Choose your preferred examination dates and locations.
- Receive confirmation of your examination dates.
Step 3. Applying for Registration
Australia dentist immigration requires applying for registration with the Dental Board of Australia (DBA). You must:
- Obtain the registration application form from the Dental Board of Australia’s website. Complete the form accurately and completely.
- Collect all necessary supporting documents. They include certified copies of your qualifications, proof of identity, evidence of English language proficiency, professional references, and other additional documents.
- Submit your application form along with the supporting documents by mail or through their online portal.
- Pay the application fee of $500 to AUD 1,000.
- The dental board will review your application and verify the authenticity of your qualifications, credentials, and supporting documents. This process may take 3 to 6 months.
- If approved, you will be granted registration to practice dentistry in Australia.
Step 4. Secure a Job Offer
To immigrate to Australia as a dentist, you must get a dentist job in Australia. But how to get a dentist job in Australia? Here are some ways:
- Online job portals
- Seek
- Indeed
- Gumtree
- Network with fellow dentists and dental professionals in Australia through professional associations, social media platforms like LinkedIn, and dental conferences or events.
- Recruitment agencies
- HealthcareLink
- AustCorp Healthcare
- Approach dental clinics, hospitals, and healthcare organizations directly.
- Government job boards
- JobSearch
- Australian Government Department of Health
Step 5. Applying for a Visa
Once you have a job offer, apply as a dentist in Australia for a skilled migration visa, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Obtain a positive skills assessment from ADC.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the online SkillSelect system. Provide details about your skills, qualifications, work experience, and other relevant factors. If you’re applying for a subclass 190 visa, you can also indicate your interest in specific states or territories.
- If your EOI is successful and you meet the eligibility criteria, you might get an invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa. Invitations are issued based on your points score. You can see the scores below.
- Visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government.
- Create a new ImmiAccount or log in to your existing account.
- Select the correct visa subclass: Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Start the visa application process by clicking on the “Apply Now” or “Start Application” button.
- Fill in information like your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, and contact information.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents:
- Proof of identity like your passport biodata page or other identity documents
- A certified copy of your positive skills assessment
- Copies of your English language proficiency test results
- Complete required medical examinations with approved physicians to meet Australia’s health requirements.
- Obtain police clearance certificates from the countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
- Pay the fee online via a valid credit or debit card. It is $4,045 to $4,115 AUD for subclass 189, and $4,045 to $4,115 AUD for subclass 190.
- Submit your visa application electronically through the ImmiAccount portal.
- Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your application. It takes 9 to 18 months.
- If requested, attend any interviews or further assessments.
- A visa grant notification will be sent to your email or ImmiAccount if you’re approved.
Australia Skilled Migration Visa Points
The overall points for dentists are generally at least 65 points out of 100:
- Age
- 18-24 years: 25 points
- 25-32 years: 30 points
- 33-39 years: 25 points
- 40-44 years: 15 points
- 45-49 years: 0 points
- English Language Proficiency
- Superior English (IELTS score of 8 or above in each band): 20 points
- Proficient English (IELTS score of 7 or above in each band): 10 points
- Competent English (IELTS score of 6 or above in each band): 0 points
- Work Experience
- At least 8 years of work experience as a dentist: 20 points
- At least 5 years but less than 8 years: 15 points
- At least 3 years but less than 5 years: 10 points
- At least 1 year but less than 3 years: 5 points
- Qualifications
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent: 20 points
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent: 15 points
- Other recognized dental qualifications: 10 points
- Australian Study Requirement
- Dentists who have completed at least one degree, diploma, or trade qualification in Australia that took at least 2 years of full-time study: 5 points
- Professional Year
- Completion of a professional year program in Australia in the last 4 years: 5 points
- Nomination/Sponsorship
- Nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative: Varies (can provide an additional 5 to 15 points)
- Other Criteria
- Partner skills qualification: 5 points (if applicable)
- Credential community language: 5 points (if applicable)
Differences Between Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 Visas
The main difference lies in the nomination process:
- Subclass 189 does not require nomination by a state or territory government. You must meet the minimum points threshold and be invited to apply.
- For Subclass 190, you must be nominated by a state or territory government in Australia. Nomination is based on the demand for your skills in a particular state or territory and your ability to contribute to the local economy.
Step 6. Settling In
After you immigrate to Australia as a dentist, you must learn how to settle in Australia as a dentist. For a successful dentist relocation to Australia, you must go through certain registrations:
Obtaining a Medicare Provider Number
If you want to provide services under Medicare, you need to apply for a Medicare Provider Number through the Department of Human Services. It’s usually free.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
You are required to hold professional indemnity insurance to protect yourself and your patients. Costs vary based on coverage limits and individual circumstances.
Business Registration (Optional)
If you want to work as a dentist in Australia on your own, you need to register your business with the Australian Business Register and obtain an ABN. You can complete business registration online through the ABR website, usually with no fee for obtaining an ABN.
Banking
- Commonwealth Bank
- Westpac
- ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group)
- National Australia Bank (NAB)
- Bank of Queensland
Housing
- realestate.com.au
- Domain
- Rent.com.au
- Ray White
- LJ Hooker
Health Insurance
- Medibank Private
- Bupa Australia
- HCF
- nib
- Australian Unity
Cost of Living
Life as a dentist in Australia can be costly. The cost of living for dentists in Australia can range from $2,500 to AUD 4,000, covering accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and other essentials.
How Much Money Do Dentists Make in Australia?
In Australia, the dentist salary in Australia can vary based on level of experience, qualifications, and location of practice. Here’s a breakdown for you:
- Average Salary for a Dentist in Australia: Ranges from $100,000 to AUD 200,000 per year.
- Annual Salary for Dentists in Australia: Ranges from $80,000 to AUD 250,000
- Salary of Dentist in Australia per Month: Between $6,000 to AUD 20,000
- Dentist Salary per Hour in Australia: Ranges from $80 to AUD 300 per hour
- Dentist Salary in Perth, Australia: Ranges from $90,000 to AUD 220,000 per year
- Dentist Salary in Sydney, Australia: Ranges from $100,000 to AUD 250,000 annually
- Rural Dentist Salary Australia: They may receive additional incentives such as rural retention bonuses or higher base salaries. Salaries range from $90,000 to AUD 250,000 per year.
Is It Hard to Find a Job as a Dentist in Australia?
Dentistry in Australia after BDS requires a job, and finding a job as a dentist in Australia can be challenging. Many factors, such as location, experience, and specialization, affect the process. Here are some jobs for foreign dentists in Australia:
Dentist Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
- Associate Dentist
- General Dentist
- Specialist Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Orthodontist
- Periodontist
- Prosthodontist
- Endodontist
- Pediatric Dentist
- Community Health Dentist
Dentist Jobs in Australia for Foreigners
- Overseas Trained Dentist
- International Dentist
- Foreign Trained Dentist
- Dentist Graduate Program Participant
- Dentist Internship Participant
- Dentist Assistant
- Dental Technician (for those with relevant qualifications)
Dental Assistant Jobs in Australia
- Dental Assistant
- Certified Dental Assistant
- Registered Dental Assistant
- Dental Nurse
- Dental Receptionist
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Therapist
- Orthodontic Assistant
- Oral Health Assistant
- Dental Sterilization Technician
Can a Dentist Get PR in Australia?
Yes, a foreign-trained dentist in Australia can apply for permanent residency (PR) through various skilled migration pathways. To be PR eligible, you must:
- Undergo a skills assessment conducted by ADC.
- Meet the points threshold specified by the Department of Home Affairs. You can see the points in the section about visas.
- May need to be nominated by a state or territory government or obtain sponsorship from an eligible relative living in Australia.
- Undergo medical exams and provide a police clearance.
Steps to Apply for Australia PR for Dentists:
Complete the skills assessment process.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system.
- You may receive an invitation to apply for a PR visa if your EOI is successful and you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Complete and submit the PR visa application online through the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Pat the fee of $4,000 to AUD 5,000 for the main applicant.
- Undergo health and character checks.
- Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your visa application. It takes from 9 to 18 months.
- If approved, you will get a visa grant notification.
Can an Overseas Dentist Work as a Dental Hygienist in Australia?
No. In Australia, overseas dentists typically cannot work as dental hygienists directly. However, they can get recognition of prior learning (RPL) to get into dental hygiene. Their qualifications and experience are evaluated against Australian standards by the Australian Dental Council (ADC). To meet local requirements, they might need additional education or training. The Dental Board of Australia will allow overseas dentists to practice dental hygiene once they pass the RPL assessment. The fee for the assessment process generally ranges from $600 to AUD 1,000, and processing times can take several months to a year.
Immigrate to Australia as a Dentist: Let’s Recap
Congratulations on taking the first step toward achieving your goal of working as a dentist in Australia! You have learned a lot about the requirements, opportunities, and immigration procedures for dentists in Australia from this thorough guide. If you have any questions, feel free to use our free Consultation services.
FAQ
Yes, UK dentists can work in Australia, but they need to obtain registration with the Dental Board of Australia.
A US dental degree is generally recognized in Australia, but dentists must still meet Australian registration standards and may need to undergo assessment by the Australian Dental Council.
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