What is Australian Dental Council?
The Australian Dental Council (ADC) is a statutory authority established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to assess overseas dental qualifications for professional recognition in Australia. ADC assessments are the first formal step in the skilled migration pathway for dental professionals, confirming that an applicant's qualifications, experience, and professional standing meet Australian registration standards.
ADC works closely with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and state dental boards. An ADC assessment is not the same as AHPRA registration, but it is a prerequisite to AHPRA registration and is mandatory for all skilled visa applications in dental occupations. The assessment process evaluates the comparability of overseas qualifications to the Australian Dental Council of Australia curriculum and professional standards.
ADC assesses dentists and dental specialists across multiple specialties, including orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery. The assessment is valid for visa application purposes for a specified period and forms part of the evidence required when lodging skilled visa applications with the Department of Home Affairs.
Which visas require an ADC skills assessment?
An ADC assessment is required for dental professionals applying for skilled migration visas. The following visa subclasses recognise dentists and dental specialists on relevant occupation lists:
The ADC assessment confirms your dental qualifications are suitable for Australian registration and must be obtained before submitting your skilled visa application. For visa subclasses 189, 190, and 491, ADC assessment is part of the points-tested skilled migration system. For employer-sponsored visas (subclasses 482, 186, and 494), ADC assessment is still required as part of sponsorship eligibility and visa grant conditions.
How ADC assessment works
The ADC assessment process involves submitting your qualifications and supporting documents for evaluation against Australian dental standards. The assessment typically takes 16–24 weeks from submission to outcome, depending on the complexity of your application and any requests for additional information.
- Create an online account with ADC and complete the assessment application form
- Pay the assessment fee and submit supporting documentation (degree certificates, transcripts, employment history, references)
- ADC preliminary review to check application completeness; you may be asked to provide additional information or certified documents
- Qualified dental assessors review your qualifications and professional experience against Australian dental standards
- Assessment decision is made and communicated in writing, typically within 16–24 weeks of lodgement
- If positive, you receive an assessment outcome letter valid for visa application purposes; if further information is needed, ADC will request clarification
- You can lodge your skilled visa application using the ADC assessment outcome as evidence of recognized qualifications
Assessment pathways
ADC offers assessment pathways tailored to different dental qualifications and professional backgrounds. The pathway you follow depends on your qualification type (general dentistry or specialist), country of training, and visa subclass.
For applicants with a dental degree in general dentistry seeking to be assessed as a Dentist (ANZSCO 251111). This pathway assesses whether your qualification is substantially equivalent to an Australian Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent and whether your professional experience meets Australian standards. Suitable for all skilled visa subclasses.
For applicants with specialist postgraduate qualifications in orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, or other recognised dental specialties. This pathway requires evidence of specialist qualification, completion of a specialist training program, and professional experience in the specialty. Assesses comparability to Australian specialist qualifications.
For dentists trained outside Australia whose qualifications may not have direct equivalence to the Australian curriculum. Assessment includes detailed evaluation of the theory and practical content of your dental degree and professional experience in various clinical settings. May require supplementary documentation about clinical training environments.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copy (certified by a notary public or official similar authority) of your dental degree or diploma
- Official academic transcripts showing all subjects, grades, and clinical placements completed
- Evidence of completion of all practical clinical training components during your dental degree
- Certificate of good standing or professional conduct certificate from your dental regulator in your country of training
- Detailed curriculum vitae listing all professional experience, employment positions, dates, and specific clinical responsibilities
- Professional references on official letterhead from supervising dentists or senior colleagues confirming your clinical competence and professional conduct
- Passport copy and proof of identity
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable to your visa subclass) such as IELTS, OET, or TOEFL
- Statutory declaration confirming the accuracy and authenticity of submitted documents
- Evidence of professional indemnity insurance or malpractice insurance (if applicable in your country of practice)
- For specialists: detailed evidence of specialist training completion and specialist qualifications
- Any additional documents requested by ADC during the assessment process, such as curriculum comparisons or supplementary declarations
All documents issued outside Australia must be certified copies. Original language documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. ADC has specific requirements for document certification; notarisation or certification by a professional body in your country is acceptable. Certified copies must be recent (typically within 12 months of application submission).
ADC assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| General Dentist Assessment (Standard Pathway) | AUD 900 |
| Dental Specialist Assessment | AUD 1,050 |
| Reassessment / Re-evaluation | AUD 750 |
| Additional Specialist Field Assessment | AUD 600 |
| Outcome Letter Reissuance | AUD 150 |
Assessment outcomes
ADC issues one of three outcomes:
A positive ADC assessment confirms that your dental qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian standards and that you meet the professional requirements for registration. The assessment outcome letter is valid for visa application purposes for a set period (typically several years) and can be used immediately when lodging your skilled visa application. A positive assessment also satisfies a key requirement for subsequent AHPRA registration as a dental professional in Australia.
If ADC is unable to grant a positive assessment, you will receive a detailed outcome letter explaining the reasons. In some cases, you may be eligible to resubmit after completing additional qualifications, further training, or providing supplementary evidence. ADC provides information about reassessment options and next steps. You also have the right to request a review of the decision or appeal through ADC's formal review process.
If you disagree with an ADC assessment outcome, you can request an internal review or formal appeal. The review process involves a fresh assessment by a different panel of qualified dental assessors. Review applications must be lodged within a specified timeframe and may incur an additional fee. ADC's website provides full details on the review and appeal procedures.
Occupations assessed by ADC
ADC is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 251111 | Dentist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Endodontist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Orthodontist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Periodontist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Prosthodontist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Paediatric Dentist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Restorative Dentist | MLTSSL |
| 251112 | Dental Specialist — Oral Pathologist | MLTSSL |