Dental assistant salary in Australia
Dental assistants play a vital role in oral health care, supporting dentists during procedures and managing practice administration. Their pay is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, but many earn above the minimum. This article looks at typical earnings and how they compare to the national full-time average.
Award minimum rates for dental assistants
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes minimum pay rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. For dental assistants, the award has four classification levels. From the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, the minimum weekly and hourly rates are:
- Level 3 (unqualified with less than 12 months industry experience): $1,106.20 per week, $29.11 per hour.
- Level 5 (unqualified with 12 months to up to 4 years experience): $1,107.80 per week, $29.15 per hour.
- Level 6 (Certificate III or equivalent, or unqualified with 4+ years experience): $1,163.90 per week, $30.63 per hour.
- Level 7 (Certificate IV or equivalent): $1,203.50 per week, $31.67 per hour.
These rates apply to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time and casual employees receive pro-rata pay plus loadings. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend, shift and public holiday work.
Median earnings for dental assistants
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, which draws on ABS data from the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for dental assistants are **$1,211 per week, or $33 per hour. The median hourly median is $33. This is higher than the award minimums, indicating that many dental assistants have experience or qualifications that lift their pay above the base rate.
Only 42% of dental assistants work full-time, compared to 69% across all occupations. The average full-time hours are 39 per week, slightly above the standard 38. The median age is 30, and 92% of dental assistants are female.
How it compares to the national full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year), according to ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The median full-time dental assistant salary of $1,211 per week is about 58% of that average. It also sits below the national full-time median of about $90,532 per year ($1,741 per week).
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on 38 hours. The award minimums for dental assistants are above that, but still below the median.
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Factors that influence earnings
- **Qualifications: Dental assistants with a Certificate III or IV qualification (Level 6 or 7) earn higher minimums. Experience also matters: Level 5 requires 12 months to 4 years, while Level 6 requires 4+ years or a Certificate III.
- **Location: State full-time averages vary. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest at about $119,090 per year, while Tasmania is about $96,008. Dental assistant pay may reflect local labour markets.
- **Industry: Most dental assistants work in dental practices, but some in hospitals or public health services may have different pay structures.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy applies. A dental assistant earning the median of about $62,972 per year would fall into the 30% bracket, paying around $11,092 in tax plus Medicare levy, leaving about $50,580 after tax.
Summary
Dental assistant salaries are below the national full-time average, reflecting the role's entry-level nature and high proportion of part-time work. However, award protections ensure a minimum wage above the national minimum, and experienced or qualified assistants can earn more. For a personalised comparison, use the tool on this site to see where your pay sits on the line.