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Skilled professional preparing an Australian skills assessment application

Australia PR · Skills assessment guide

Australian Dental Council (ADC) Skills Assessment Guide

Dentists seeking Permanent Residency in Australia must undergo assessment by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) to demonstrate qualifications and clinical competency equivalent to an Australian dental graduate.

Please note: MovesEdu provides migration consultation; the ADC administers independent examinations and assessment outcomes.

Section 01

What is the ADC?

The Australian Dental Council is appointed by the Dental Board of Australia to assess overseas trained dental practitioners for registration and migration.

General Dentists

ANZSCO 252312 — assesses dental practitioners with recognized primary dental degrees (BDS / DDS).

Dental Specialists

ANZSCO 252311 — orthodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons.

Written Examination

Assesses knowledge of the science and practice of dentistry.

Practical Examination

Simulated clinical examination testing practical dental procedures in Melbourne.

Assessment criteria, occupation lists and requirements are set by Australian Dental Council and the Australian Government and are subject to change without notice. Always verify current requirements on the official website before applying.

Section 02

What ADC assesses

ADC Assessment Process

ADC Assessment Stages

StageFocus
Initial AssessmentVerification of dental degree, registration, and good standing.
Written ExaminationMultiple-choice exam held at computer centers worldwide.
Practical ExaminationHands-on clinical exam at the ADC examination centre in Melbourne.

Indicative only. Your eligibility depends on your specific qualification, role and years of experience matched against the current ANZSCO occupation description.

Section 03

Who can apply?

Requirements include a primary dental degree requiring at least 4 academic years of full-time study and professional registration.

Dental Qualification: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent degree recognized by the dental authority in the country of origin.

Professional Registration: Unrestricted registration or license to practice dentistry in home jurisdiction.

Good Standing: Certificate of good standing confirming no disciplinary action or restrictions.

Section 04

Required documents checklist

Document requirements vary by occupation and individual profile. A personalised checklist is prepared after a professional profile review.

  • Passport biodata page
  • Dental degree certificate and university transcripts
  • Syllabus breakdown of dental clinical hours
  • Current dental registration license
  • Certificate of Good Standing from dental council
  • English test results (IELTS 7.0+ or OET Grade B+)

Section 05

The assessment process, step by step

How a ADC application moves from profile review to outcome.

  1. 01

    Initial Assessment

    Submit credentials to ADC for initial qualification approval.

  2. 02

    ADC Written Exam

    Pass the written test held twice yearly internationally.

  3. 03

    ADC Practical Exam

    Complete practical clinical examination in Melbourne.

  4. 04

    Skills Certificate

    ADC issues skills assessment certificate for GSM visa EOI.

Section 06

Processing time

Initial qualification assessment: 6–8 weeks. Full examination pathway: 12–24 months.

Section 07

Fees

Published ADC rates, as at July 2026. Figures exclude visa charges and MovesEdu professional service fees.

ADC Fees (AUD)

ItemFee (AUD)
Initial Assessment$650 AUD
Written Examination$2,200 AUD
Practical Examination$4,800 AUD

Fees are subject to change without notice — always confirm current fees on www.adc.org.au before applying.

Section 08

Common reasons for a negative outcome

A negative or partial result can significantly affect your points score and visa eligibility — which is why accurate preparation from the outset matters.

  • Dental degree duration less than 4 full-time academic years
  • Lapsed dental council registration or disciplinary remarks

Section 09

Why choose MovesEdu Immigration?

MovesEdu coordinates dentist PR strategies to maximize points upon ADC completion.

Dental Migration Roadmapping: Balancing exam timelines with GSM points windows

State Sponsorship Targeting: Highlighting state priority lists in Regional WA, SA, and QLD

MovesEdu Immigration is an independent migration consultancy. We are not Australian Dental Council, the Department of Home Affairs, or any Australian government body, and we do not determine or influence assessment outcomes.

Section 10 · Frequently asked questions

ADC, answered.

You cannot lodge a final GSM EOI without a positive ADC skills assessment outcome letter, but you can prepare your English test, partner points, and state strategy in parallel.

Get your ADC assessment right, the first time.

A ADC skills assessment is a critical foundation for your Australian PR application — and getting it right the first time saves you time, money and uncertainty.

MovesEdu is a private migration advisory firm. We are not a government body; all final decisions rest with Australian and Canadian immigration authorities.