Dental Qualification Review

Endorsement and Implementation

Finalisation and Submission

Validation

Following feedback received in the first round of consultation, the second draft of training products for the Dental Qualification Review are now available for review as part of further validation through the new HumanAbility consultation portal. To find instructions on how to access and use the portal you can read instructions by clicking the button below. If you have already registered for project updates previously, you will receive an email with an invitation to sign up to our consultation portal, if you have not then please register here. Learn more about using the consultation portal.

Feedback on these documents will be received until COB Monday 31 August 2026 via the consultation portal or via email to TPD.Health@humanability.com.au. Following this period, any suggestions will be reviewed and implemented before the draft training products are submitted to the Senior Responsible Officers.

Companion Volume Implementation Guide

Companion Volume Implementation Guide Appendix

Summary of Proposed Changes

The dental qualifications are being updated to ensure they reflect current industry standards, technologies and workforce expectations. The proposed changes strengthen alignment with current industry requirements and quality assurance practices.

Key updates include clearer role delineation across qualification levels and refreshed content that supports safe, compliant, and contemporary dental practice, dental laboratory operations, dental technology, and dental prosthetic services. The review also focuses on improving career progression pathways, enhancing workforce capability, incorporating emerging technologies and regulatory requirements, and ensuring the qualifications remain relevant to the evolving needs of the dental industry, patients, and healthcare settings. The Summary of Proposed Changes from previous consultations can be found here.

Validation Consultation Summary of Proposed Changes

Past Consultation

February to May 2026

We invited registered training organisations, educational experts, subject matter experts, industry bodies, unions, employers,  employers, First Nations people and other relevant stakeholders to attend consultation workshops for the Dental Qualification Review. The workshops were to help us:

understand current and emerging industry practices, technologies, regulatory requirements, and the skills and knowledge needed for the dental qualifications under review, including Certificate III in Dental Assisting, Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting, Diploma of Dental Technology, and Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics
understand current challenges, gaps, opportunities, and potential solutions across the dental sector
identify and inform changes to the qualifications, units of competency, and skill sets to ensure they reflect current industry practice and workforce needs
identify functions that are common across the dental sector, as well as those specific to dental assisting, dental laboratory operations, dental technology, and dental prosthetics, and consider appropriate pathways between qualifications
gain advice for the Companion Volume Implementation Guides, resources, delivery guidance, assessment considerations, and pathway information to support high-quality implementation

Following an online information session (25/02), consultations were held between Thursday 12 March and Thursday 7 May 2026. In person workshops were held in Brisbane (19/03), Sydney (14/04), Melbourne (21/04), Hobart (23/04), Adelaide (28/04) and Perth (05/05). Online workshops were held on 25 February, 12, 24 March and 1, 8, 30 April. Site visits were undertaken in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. from Tuesday 3 March 2026 to Friday 8 May 2026.A feedback survey was also available online until Friday 27 March 2026.

Development

September - October 2025

We are committed to developing training products that meet industry standards and enhance workforce readiness by identifying gaps and opportunities in dental skills development.

Our Dental Functional Analysis Report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse roles, functions and skills required across the dental sector. It outlines the key competencies required to meet industry expectations and supports workforce development by exploring nationally endorsed training pathways for dental professionals, including dental assistants, dental laboratory assistants, dental technicians, dental prosthetists, and other members of the oral health workforce.

Methodology

To ensure accuracy and relevance, the functional analysis research process included desktop research and interviews. Desktop research involved reviewing job advertisements, organisational structures, industry reports and government labour market data to understand workforce skill requirements across the dental sector and to identify emerging trends in oral healthcare, digital dentistry, infection prevention and control, dental materials, patient-centred care, and regulatory compliance.

For the interviews, we engaged with employers, peak bodies, registered training organisations, and subject matter experts from across the dental industry to gather practical insights into roles, functions, sub-functions, skills, and knowledge requirements. These conversations helped us identify the specific tasks, challenges and competencies employers prioritise across a range of dental settings, including general and specialist dental practices, dental laboratories, community oral health services, public health organisations, and dental prosthetic practices. The interviews also explored the competencies required to support patient care, assist with clinical procedures, manufacture and repair dental prostheses and appliances, implement infection prevention and control measures, utilise digital technologies, and comply with regulatory and quality standards.

We also gained a deeper understanding of employer expectations and current and future workforce needs, enabling us to define functions and sub-functions that guide workforce development and inform training product solutions tailored to the dental sector.

Set Up

The Australian dental sector has undergone significant transformation due to advances in technology, changes in regulatory frameworks and evolving patient care requirements. To ensure the workforce is adequately prepared for these evolving demands, this project will ensure dental qualifications are relevant and support safe, effective care across a variety of practice settings. By reviewing the structure and content of current qualifications, the project aims to improve alignment with job roles, regulatory standards and future workforce requirements.

Key Objectives

• Align qualifications with technological and clinical developments in dental practice.
• Ensure consistency and clarity across qualifications and units.
• Support career pathways and practical workforce readiness.
• Reflect the skills and knowledge required for modern models of care.

Project Scope

We will review 5 qualifications, 2 skill sets and 46 units of competency that support training for a range of job roles including:

• dental assisting
• dental technology
• dental prosthetics.

The project will consider job tasks, performance expectations, assessment conditions and the incorporation of new tools and techniques shaping the future of dentistry.