Program Overview

Program Overview

The Certificate III in Dental Assisting is a nationally recognised qualification that provides students with the skills and knowledge to assist dental practitioners during oral health care procedures. This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist dental practitioners, maintaining high standards of infection control, assisting with practice administration, and supporting quality and professionalism in the dental sector.

Course Structure

The course consists of 10 units, including 8 core and 2 elective units. The core units cover topics such as:

• Participating in workplace health and safety
• Preparing for and assisting with dental procedures
• Applying basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
• Processing reusable medical devices and equipment
• Communicating and working in health or community services
• Assisting with dental radiography
• Assisting with administration in dental practice
• Working with diverse people

The elective units cover topics such as:

• Working legally and ethically
• Providing effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan

Requirements

To be eligible for this course, students must:

• Complete the BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy assessment prior to enrolment
• Be an existing worker or volunteer in a dental practice to satisfy the assessment requirements for each unit of competency
• Work or volunteer in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week to gain the required skills and knowledge
• Perform at least 350 hours of dental assisting work, with at least 300 hours in a real dental clinic workplace and up to 50 hours in a simulated dental clinic workplace environment

Fees and Scholarships

The course fee is $0-$5,770, with subsidies available to reduce the cost of tuition fees for eligible students. Fee-free TAFE places are available for new course enrolments from January 1, 2026, with limited places available. Scholarships, bursaries, and stipends are also available to support students with relocation, living expenses, and study costs.

How to Apply

To apply for this course, students must:

1. Check the course requirements
2. Get a Unique Student Identifier
3. Prepare eligibility documentation
4. Submit an application
5. Complete BKSB testing

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course can work as qualified dental assistants in general dental and specialist dental practices.

Related Courses

Related courses include the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, which can take 1-2 years to complete and is also delivered online.