Dental Qualification Review

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.

Qualifications and units of competency

Qualifications

• HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting: reflects the role of workers who assist dental practitioners during oral health care procedures. The role includes maintaining high standards of infection control, assisting with practice administration and supporting quality and professionalism in the dental sector.
• HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting: reflects the role of workers who provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners, which contributes to the quality of oral health care.
• HLT35115 Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting: reflects the role of a dental laboratory assistant responsible for pouring impressions, producing custom-made trays, manufacturing occlusal registration rims, transferring oral records, articulating models for a range of prostheses and constructing mouthguards.
• HLT55118 Diploma of Dental Technology: reflects the role of a dental technician responsible for the construction and repair of dentures and other dental appliances, including crowns, bridges, partial dentures, pre- and post-oral and maxillofacial surgical devices and orthodontic appliances.
• HLT65015 Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics: reflects the role of a dental prosthetist who works as independent practitioners in the assessment, treatment, management of a person who requires provision of removal dentures and who also provides unique flexible removable mouthguards used for sporting activities.

The purpose of these qualifications is to support a specific occupation. The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT35115 Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting also support pathways and applied learning.

Skill Sets

• HLTSS00072 Dental Radiography Skill Set
• HLTSS00073 Oral Health Care Skill Set

Unit of Competencies

• HLTDEN015 Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
• HLTDEN016 Assist with dental radiography
• HLTDEN017 Assist with administration in dental practice
• HLTDEN018 Implement an individualised oral hygiene program
• HLTDEN019 Assist in dental procedures during general anaesthesia
• HLTDEN020 Assist in dental procedures during conscious sedations
• HLTDEN021 Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice
• HLTDEN022 Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image
• HLTDEN023 Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image
• HLTDEN024 Implement an oral hygiene program for older people
• HLTDEN025 Implement an oral health promotion program
• HLTDEN026 Take an impression for study models
• HLTDEN027 Take a clinical photograph
• HLTDEN028 Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan
• HLTDEN029 Assist in dental procedures during relative analgesia
• HLTDEN030 Assist the dental practitioner during medical emergencies in a dental setting
• HLTDEP001 Identify, select and prepare instruments, equipment and materials
• HLTDEP002 Gather data, conduct dental prosthetic examination and develop treatment plan
• HLTDEP003 Take impressions
• HLTDEP004 Establish and record jaw relationships and select artificial teeth
• HLTDEP005 Evaluate a removable dental prosthesis at try-in stage
• HLTDEP006 Insert and issue a completed removable dental prosthesis
• HLTDEP007 Perform maintenance treatment for clients with removable dental prostheses
• HLTDEP008 Construct and insert an implant retained overdenture
• HLTDET001 Construct models
• HLTDET002 Construct custom impression trays
• HLTDET003 Construct registration rims
• HLTDET004 Articulate models and transfer records
• HLTDET005 Construct thermoformed bases and appliances
• HLTDET006 Construct immediate dentures
• HLTDET007 Construct removable acrylic partial dentures
• HLTDET008 Construct cast removable alloy partial denture framework
• HLTDET009 Construct crown and bridge structures
• HLTDET010 Join alloy structures
• HLTDET011 Construct ceramic and fixed restorations
• HLTDET012 Construct orthodontic appliances
• HLTDET013 Construct oral splints
• HLTDET014 Repair and modify dentures and appliances
• HLTDET015 Construct complete removable acrylic dentures and appliances
• HLTDET016 Design digital dental restorations and appliances using computer-aided design (CAD)
• HLTDET017 Construct dental restorations and appliances using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
• HLTINF002 Process reusable medical devices and equipment
• HLTOHC007 Recognise and respond to oral health issues
• HLTOHC008 Inform and support patients and groups about oral health
• HLTOHC009 Apply and use basic oral health products
• HLTOHC011 Apply fluoride varnish

Fact sheet

Project Governance

A Technical Committee (TC) comprising of industry experts has been established to provide specialised advice for this project. Members were carefully selected based on their relevant expertise and experience in areas critical to the project. 

View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.

The TC will work with HumanAbility in this project to:

• identify relevant stakeholders to consult with about the project
• provide insights on proposed communication and consultation strategies
• provide technical knowledge on the skills and knowledge required to meet graduate outcomes and workforce needs.

Our Project Consultation Strategy has been finalised and is available to download.

Functional analysis workshop

Thank you to all those who attended our online functional analysis workshop on Wednesday 22 October 2025. The workshop has helped to validate and refine the functions, tasks and skills which were identified through industry research and interviews. Your participation will help ensure the findings accurately reflect current and emerging industry practice and inform future training product development. 

Project development is underway to undertake a comprehensive review and update the qualifications and skill set in dental assisting, technology and prosthetics, to ensure they are aligned with current industry needs, regulatory requirements and evolving patient-care methodologies, and create clear and sustainable career pathways to support existing and future growth in the industry.

We will engage in the following information gathering activities as part of the functional analysis:

• desktop research
• review available information on industry standards, working conditions, and employer recruitment selection criteria
• 24 virtual workshops to:
  • exploring the skills organisations need
  • discuss foreseeable changes in the sector
  • understanding functions and sub functions of roles.

Vocational Educators, Trainers and Assessors

We're calling on trainers, educators and assessors of vocational qualifications in dental.

We need your feedback on existing qualifications, skill sets and units. We want to know what's working, what's not working and where things could change and improvements made.

Please submit your feedback by completing this form.

Start survey

Your feedback will influence the design of national qualification training products and contribute to resolving current workforce issues.

Draft materials will be developed and available for feedback during the Consultation stage.

March to May 2026

We would like to hear from you. Your perspectives will contribute to shaping the outcomes of this project and ensure alignment with industry needs. 
We’re hosting a series of consultation workshops to review our draft proposals and gather your feedback. Your input is essential—whether you agree with the proposed changes, have concerns, or want to suggest improvements, we want to hear from you.

Workshop Details

• Face-to-Face Workshops: 8 sessions across different locations
• Regional Site Visits & Consultation Interviews: 4 regional locations
• Online Workshops: 3 interactive sessions

To help you prepare and get the most out of the workshops, we will first hold a 1.5-hour online information session. During this session, we’ll cover:

• What to expect during the consultation workshops
• Who should attend and why your perspective matters
• How you can help us share the project with your networks

Whether you’re a stakeholder, professional, or community member, your voice is invaluable in shaping the outcomes of this project. Come along, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Workshops and survey

Join our public workshops or complete our survey above to share your perspectives on our project's purpose. 

• Online information session: Wednesday 25th February at 1:00pm-2:30pm (AEDT)
  Location: Microsoft Teams
  Register to attend

• Workshop 1: Thursday 12th March at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time)
  Location: Pavilion on Northbourne, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra 
  Register to attend

• Site Visits & Local Consultations: Tuesday 17th March
  Location: Rockhampton, QLD
  Contact us to organise a visit: [email protected]

• Workshop 2: Thursday 19th March at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Royal on the Park, 152 Alice Street, Brisbane
  Register to attend

• Workshop 3: Tuesday 24th March at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: ISACNT Offices, The Avenue 12 Salonika Street, Darwin
  Register to attend

• Site Visits & Local Consultations: Thursday 26th March
  Location: Alice Springs, NT
  Contact us to organise a visit: [email protected]

• Workshop 4: Tuesday 1st April at 1:00pm to 4:00pm (AEDT) 
  Location: Microsoft Teams
  Register to attend

• Workshop 5: Wednesday 8th April at 1:00pm to 4:00pm (AEDT)
  Location: Microsoft Teams
  Register to attend

• Workshop 6: Thursday 9th April at 1:30pm to 4:30pm (local time) 
  Location: Microsoft Teams
  Register to attend

• Workshop 7: Tuesday 14th April at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Swissotel Sydney, 68 Market Street, Sydney
  Register to attend

• Site Visits & Local Consultations: Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16th April
  Location: Ourimbah, NSW
  Contact us to organise a visit: [email protected]

• Workshop 8: Tuesday 21st April at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
  Register to attend

• Workshop 9: Thursday 23rd April at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Movenpick Hotel, 28 Elizabeth, Street, Hobart 
  Register to attend

• Workshop 10: Tuesday 28th April at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley Street, Adelaide
  Register to attend

• Workshop 11: Tuesday 5th May at 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time) 
  Location: Four Points by Sheraton, 707 Wellington Street, Perth
  Register to attend

• Site Visits & Local Consultations: Thursday 7th May
  Location: Albany, WA
  Contact us to organise a visit: [email protected]

Details to come.

Details to come.