Dental Assistants

Career Insights

  • Full Time Average
    Weekly Wage

    < $1,250
    Earnings for full-time employees before tax.

    The ranges are for all ages and levels of experience, so they cannot be used to determine what an individual worker will actually earn.
  • Full Time/Part Time
    Split

    42%58%
    This shows the proportion of workers who work part-time.

    The information uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics definition of part-time, which is working less than 35 hours per week.
  • Currently Employed
    Workers

    27,100
    The total number of people employed in Australia in November 2025 for this occupation.

    It includes both full-time and part-time workers.
  • Future Job Openings
    Next Five Years

    < 5k
    An estimate of the number of job opportunities likely to be available over the next five years.

    It does not provide any guidance about the number of job seekers for this occupation.
  • Current
    Unemployment

    Low
    The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labour force (employed plus unemployed).
    An occupation may have high unemployment but may also be experiencing shortages for particular skills.
  • Powered by Australian Jobs 2026

Career Details

Dental Assistants prepare patients for dental examination and assist Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists in providing care and treatment.

Most occupations in this field typically require a Certificate II or III qualification.

At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • receiving and preparing patients
  • arranging and handing instruments, medication, and other dental requisites to Dental Practitioners
  • preparing dental materials and processing X-rays
  • using suction devices and water sprays
  • performing routine maintenance on equipment
  • sterilising and preventing cross infection of equipment
  • may advise patients on dental health education and post-operative care and procedures
  • may act as receptionist for Dental Practitioners
  • may perform billing and other clerical tasks

Occupation:

  • Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant


Alternative Titles:

  • Dental Chairside Assistant 
  • Dental Nurse

Prepares patients for dental examination and assists Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists in providing care and treatment.

Find out more

Check out the Good Universities Guide for more information on careers and the courses that can help get you there.


Link - Dental Assistants

Related Careers