Dental nurse salary and the national full-time average
A dental nurse (often referred to as a dental assistant in modern awards) is typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The award sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. These rates are updated each year following the Annual Wage Review.
Where the award rates sit
For a full-time dental assistant, the weekly base rate ranges from $1,024.70 (Level 1) to $1,497.80 (Level 9 pay point 3). That translates to an annual salary of roughly $53,284 to $77,886 before tax (multiplying by 52 weeks). Even the top award rate is well below the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year) reported by the ABS in May 2026.
What would move a dental nurse’s pay above the average?
Because the award base rates are significantly lower than the national average, a dental nurse would need to work substantial overtime, receive penalty rates, or negotiate an above-award salary to reach or exceed $108,352. The award provides for:
- Overtime: Time-and-a-half for the first two hours, then double time.
- Penalty rates: Saturday rates at 150% of the ordinary hourly rate, Sunday at 200%, and public holidays at 250%.
- Shiftwork loadings: An additional 15% for Monday to Friday shifts outside ordinary hours.
For example, a Level 9 dental assistant on a Sunday earns $59.13 per hour (ordinary) but $78.84 per hour for overtime after two hours. Working many weekend or public holiday shifts could lift weekly earnings, but it is uncommon to consistently earn above the average without a senior role or management position.
Comparison with other benchmarks
- Full-time median: The ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) puts the full-time median at about $90,532 per year. The top award rate for a dental assistant ($77,886) is below that median.
- All-employees median: About $74,100 per year. A dental nurse at Level 6 or above would be near or slightly above this median.
- National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). The lowest dental assistant rate is $26.97, so the award starts just above the minimum.
Factors that influence dental nurse pay
- Classification level: Experience, qualifications, and responsibilities determine the level. A Level 1 dental assistant with minimal experience earns the least; a Level 9 with advanced skills earns the most under the award.
- Employer type: Public sector dental clinics may pay above award or have different enterprise agreements. Private practices often pay the award minimum but some offer above-award rates to attract staff.
- Location: The award is national, but actual pay can vary by state. The state full-time averages range from $96,008 (Tasmania) to $119,090 (ACT). A dental nurse in a high-cost state may still need to be paid above the award rate, but the award itself doesn't adjust for location.
- Hours and hours: Part-time and casual loadings can increase weekly earnings without reaching full-time hours.
How the figures are set
The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year (May and November). The ABS also provides medians from the August survey. The award rates are set by Fair Work after the Annual Wage Review. The on-site tool uses the ABS average as the line.
Internal resources
- Place a salary on the line to see how any annual salary compares to the national full-time average.
- Job medians for median earnings by occupation.
- Guides for more on award interpretation.
Summary
A dental nurse salary under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award is generally below the national full-time average of $108,352. Even at the highest award classification, the base rate is about $77,886. To exceed the average, a dental nurse would need significant overtime, penalty rates, or an above-award agreement. The award provides a floor, but actual earnings depend on classification, hours, and employer.