Dentistry can be a well-paid career in Australia, but what you earn depends on where you work, your experience and the type of role you take on. The latest official earnings data puts median full-time pay for dental practitioners at $3,232 a week, with median hourly earnings of $85. Current job market data puts the average dentist base salary at around $160,700 per year.
At a glance
- Median full-time earnings for dental practitioners are $3,232 a week, or $85 an hour, based on the latest ABS earnings data.
- The current average base salary for a dentist is around $160,700 a year.
- Graduate dentist job listings average around $95,800 a year, although starting pay varies by role and location.
- Employees are also entitled to superannuation, with the Superannuation Guarantee set at 12% in 2026.
What is the average dentist salary in Australia?
A dentist in Australia earns around $160,700 a year on average, according to Indeed’s job listing data. Official employee earnings data provide another useful benchmark, with full-time dental practitioners earning a median of $3,232 per week.
| Role or measure | Current pay figure |
| Dental practitioners, median full-time | $3,232/week |
| Dental practitioners, median hourly | $85/hour |
| Dentist, average base salary | $160,742/year |
| Associate dentist, average base salary | $159,353/year |
| Graduate dentist, job-posting average | $95,773/year |
The figures measure slightly different things, so think of them as a guide rather than one fixed salary for the profession. Practice owners are harder to compare because business revenue, staffing and running costs all affect what they personally take home.
If you are comparing job offers, remember to look at super as well as base pay. The Superannuation Guarantee is 12% in 2026, although an advertised package may either include super or list it separately. Remitly’s guide to salary in Australia has more on how Australian pay packages work. If you’re comparing multiple offers or think your current pay doesn’t reflect your experience, our guide on how to ask for a pay rise covers how to approach that conversation.
Dentist salary by state and territory in Australia
Location can make a noticeable difference in dentist pay. Current salary data shows averages ranging from about $152,600 in Victoria to around $181,000 in South Australia. Canberra sits higher at roughly $188,300, although it is a city figure rather than an ACT-wide average.
| State or territory | Average base salary |
| NSW | $159,669 |
| Victoria | $152,562 |
| Queensland | $161,175 |
| Western Australia | $163,360 |
| South Australia | $180,962 |
| Tasmania | $177,308 |
| Northern Territory | $160,079 |
| ACT (Canberra) | $188,340 |
These averages are useful for comparing locations, but they can move as new salaries are reported. Some regional markets also advertise much higher pay. Recent figures put Port Hedland at about $257,300 and Yeppoon at about $245,100, showing why it is worth checking the local market rather than relying on a state average alone. Since dentist pay varies so much by state, it’s worth weighing that against everyday costs too. Our guide to the cost of living in Australia breaks down how housing, groceries and transport differ across the country.”
Dentist salary by experience level
There is no reliable national salary dataset that neatly divides dentists into 0 to 3, 4 to 10, and 10+ years of experience. From published public-sector pay scales, we can see that earnings generally rise as dentists move through classifications and take on more responsibility. In Western Australia, for example, the dental officer scale runs from $116,792 at Level 1 Year 1 to $150,702 at Level 1 Year 6, with higher classifications above that.
If you graduate from an AHPRA-approved program and meet the registration requirements, you can apply for general registration with the Dental Board of Australia. Dentistry does not have a separate internship year in the standard graduate pathway. In private practice, earnings may come from a salary, an associate arrangement linked to billings, or another agreed pay structure. If you trained overseas, our guide to getting overseas qualifications recognised in Australia walks through the assessment process before you can register locally.
Dental specialist salaries in Australia
Australia recognises 13 dental specialties, including orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Salary information is much patchier at the specialist level, so there is no trustworthy like-for-like figure for every specialty.
Orthodontics gives one current example: the reported average base salary is about $184,600 a year, although the available sample is small. Becoming a registered specialist also means completing further training and meeting the Dental Board’s specialist registration requirements, including at least two years of general dental practice.
Public vs. private sector: how dentist pay compares
| Public sector | Private practice | |
| Pay | Published salary scales | Salary or agreed associate model |
| Predictability | More predictable | More variable |
| Progression | Classification and experience | Role, activity and contract |
| Super | Employee SG rules apply | Depends on employment status and arrangement |
Public dental jobs are easier to compare because state health services publish salary scales. In Western Australia, for example, the published scale starts at $116,792 for a Level 1 Year 1 dentist and reaches $216,824 for a Regional Dental Officer. Private practice can offer more flexibility and potentially higher earnings, but pay depends much more on the individual role and contract. There is no single verified billing percentage that applies across Australian private practices.
FAQs
How much does a dentist earn in Australia in 2026?
The current average base salary is around $160,700 a year. Official earnings data also puts median full-time pay for dental practitioners at $3,232 a week.
What is the dental graduate salary in Australia?
Current graduate dentist job data averages around $95,800 a year. Your first salary can be higher or lower depending on the practice, location, and pay structure, so compare the full package rather than focusing on a single national figure.
Which state pays dentists the most?
Among the current state-level figures, South Australia has the highest average at about $181,000 a year. Canberra is higher at roughly $188,300, but that is a city figure rather than a territory-wide average.
Do dental specialists earn more?
Specialist dentistry can offer higher earning potential, although reliable salary data is not available for all 13 recognised specialties. Orthodontists currently have a reported average of about $184,600 a year, based on a relatively small salary sample.
Do dentists earn more in regional Australia?
They can. Some regional locations advertise salaries well above their state averages, including recent figures of about $257,300 in Port Hedland and $245,100 in Yeppoon. Regional pay still varies by employer, demand and the individual role.
Do dentists need AHPRA registration?
Yes. You need to be registered with the Dental Board of Australia through Ahpra before practising as a dentist. Graduates of approved Australian dental programs can apply for general registration once they meet the Board’s requirements.
Key takeaways
- Median full-time earnings for Australian dental practitioners are $3,232 a week, while the current average dentist base salary is around $160,700 a year.
- Graduate dentist job data averages around $95,800 a year, with actual starting pay depending on location, employer and pay structure.
- Superannuation is an important part of the package, with the Superannuation Guarantee set at 12% in 2026.
- Australia recognises 13 dental specialties, but salary data varies considerably by specialty and is not equally reliable across every field.
Planning your next step
Dentist pay in Australia can vary quite a bit, but current figures give you a useful starting point for comparing roles. If you are moving to Australia for work, Remitly’s guide to working in Australia can help you get familiar with the wider employment landscape before you arrive.
And if you are an overseas-trained dentist earning in Australia and sending money to family abroad, you can use Remitly to check the current exchange rate, transfer fee and delivery options before you send.
Last reviewed: September 2026
