The ADC works to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring dental practitioners meet the high standards required of dental professionals in Australia.
Information for internationally qualified dental practitioners on assessment pathways and requirements for practice in Australia.
Guidance and resources for education providers delivering ADC-accredited dental practitioner programs in Australia.
Learn more about our submissions, consultations and research activities that support the oral health sector
ADC International (ADCI) is a leading independent authority in accreditation and assessment of health programs worldwide, with a particular focus on oral health.
The eligibility to apply for an initial assessment differs between professions.
Dental hygienists and dental therapist
Dual qualified dental hygienists/dental therapist
When we start assessing your initial assessment you will be provided with a candidate reference number. You must provide this number when contacting us about your application.
ELIGIBILITY:
Dental hygienist or dental therapist Minimum 2-year equivalent full-time study
Combined dental hygienist/therapist or oral health therapist Minimum 3-year equivalent full-time study
TIMEFRAME:
8 weeks (approximately)
COST:
$647 AUD (application) $35 AUD (renewal – registration only)
VALIDITY:
7 years
Application period:
Apply at anytime
ASSESSMENT TIMEFRAME:
8 weeks (approximatgely)*
*Timeframes can be delayed if information submitted is incomplete.
New candidates must create a new ADC Connect account to start the dental practitioner assessment process.
You can complete an initial assessment at any time via ADC Connect.
You need to confirm your registration and application type at the start of your application.
Registration type is the general registration division you want to register with the Dental Board of Australia. Please note that you can only apply for the division you hold a formal qualification in. However, if you are a dual qualified dental hygienist/dental therapist, you may choose to apply for dental hygiene or dental therapy only if you wish to do so.
Application type is the type of application you want to complete. Dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists can only apply for initial assessment for registration.
Complete your initial assessment application and make payment as instructed.
You must submit these documents with your application:
Passport photographs must be clear and uploaded as a .jpg or .png file. All other documents must be clear and submitted in .pdf, .jpg, .tif, .tiff, or .png format.
You must provide an official English translation for any documents issued in a language other than English. Translations must be from a state-certified translator and include translator name, contact details (email) and translator identification number (if applicable) Original documents and translations of original documents are to be submitted in one file. View our translation guidelines here.
If your supporting documents have different names, or different versions of your name, you will need to provide evidence. Evidence must be a legal change of name document, issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages, or an official change of name by deed poll. If your educational institution has altered or abbreviated your name, they must provide an explanatory letter. This letter should be uploaded to your ADC Connect account, as part of your application. Newspaper or gazette articles, affidavits of statutory declarations are not considered legal evidence.
You will receive an email from us advising of the outcome of your assessment once it is assessed.
There are three possible outcomes:
Successful initial assessments are valid for seven years.
Initial assessments are valid for 7 years. You can check the expiry date of your initial assessment on your ADC Connect dashboard.
You can renew your initial assessment through your ADC Connect account. We recommend submitting your renewal application within 12 months of your initial assessment expiry date. To complete your renewal, follow the instructions in the renewal form.
Once your renewal application is approved, a new 7-year validity period will start from the date of renewal. Any remaining time from your original initial assessment cannot be carried over or added to the new validity period. Your new eligibility expiry date will be updated in your ADC Connect profile once your renewal has been assessed and approved.
If you do not renew before your initial assessment expires, you will need to start the process again. Any previous successful exam results will no longer be valid.