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 assessment process is for overseas qualified dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists with qualifications that do not meet the requirements for registration with the Dental Board of Australia. It is designed to assess your knowledge, judgement, clinical skills, and professional competence.
The process involves three stages.
An assessment of your eligibility to complete the dental practitioner assessment process.
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)
VALIDITY:
7 years
Application period:
Apply at anytime**
ASSESSMENT TIMEFRAME:
8 weeks (approximately)*
*Timeframes can be delayed if information submitted is incomplete. **Note that there are initial assessment application deadline dates for each written examination.
A one-day examination testing your application of knowledge to clinical practice.
Successful, valid initial assessment
5 months from application period to results release (approximately)
$1,432 AUD
5 years
Initial Assessment Deadline: ⓘMore informationYou must submit your complete initial assessment application by this date for your application to be assessed in time for this written examination period. This is not a guarantee of examination eligibility. Incomplete applications will require additional submission of documents and may not be assessed in time for the examination.
Friday 12 April 2026
Application Period: ⓘMore informationYou must apply for a seat at a written examination location/date during this time period. All eligible candidates will receive an email at the start of this period with a link to apply.
9 – 16 June 2026
Examination Date:ⓘMore informationThe written examination will be held on these dates.
Friday 2 October 2026
Initial Assessment Deadline:ⓘMore information]You must submit your complete initial assessment application by this date for your application to be assessed in time for this written examination period. This is not a guarantee of examination eligibility. Incomplete applications will require additional submission of documents and may not be assessed in time for the examination.
11 October 2026
8 – 15 December 2026
Friday 2 April 2027
Initial Assessment Deadline:ⓘMore informationYou must submit your complete initial assessment application by this date for your application to be assessed in time for this written examination period. This is not a guarantee of examination eligibility. Incomplete applications will require additional submission of documents and may not be assessed in time for the examination.
11 April 2026
Application Period:ⓘMore informationYou must apply for a seat at a written examination location/date during this time period. All eligible candidates will receive an email at the start of this period with a link to apply.
8 – 15 June 2027
Friday 17 September 2027
Depending on profession a one or two day simulation-based examination assessing your practical clinical skills.
Successful, valid initial assessment and valid written examination
4 to 7 months from application period to results release (approximately)
$3,342 AUD
Does not expire
Application Period: ⓘMore informationYou must apply for a practical examination date during this time period. All eligible candidates will receive an email at the start of this period with a link to apply.
5 – 11 August 2026
Examination Date:ⓘMore informationThe practical examination will be held on these dates.
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2026
10 – 17 March 2027
Examination Date:ⓘMore informationA specific date for the practical examination will be confirmed after the application period.
June 2027
4 – 11 August 2027
November 2027