Gain the skills you need to become a dental assistant in our state-of-the-art facilities.
This qualification is delivered as part of a traineeship.
This National Training Package qualification provides the knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of a dental assistant and offers pathways to further development in the industry.
Dental assistance continues to be a vital profession as the need for dental services continues to grow.
RMIT's dental classes are conducted at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton. The onsite state-of-the-art facilities give you access to cutting edge technology and techniques.
This certificate combines on- and off-the-job training.
RMIT staff will liaise closely with your workplace supervisors to ensure training meets your learning needs.
Access the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital's cutting-edge technology and techniques.
Workplace training and assessment give you first-hand experience of your future career.
Build foundational knowledge and skills to build a pathway to further qualifications and development.
The Certificate III in Dental Assisting is delivered through:
This certificate involves attending six one-week blocks over a 12-month period, while working full-time as a trainee. Trainees will get on-the-job experience in your workplace at either a public or private dental clinic, and off-the-job training at RMIT.
Off-the-job training is delivered through a combination of on- and off-campus study, and is supported by self-paced learning materials.
You will be expected to comply with dress code and workplace health safety procedures for all classes, practical sessions and clinical sessions.
During your studies in this certificate, you will need to complete two workplace assessments conducted at the workplace. You will also be expected to demonstrate competency on the practical component of the curriculum and complete the HLTDEN001 Clinical Logbook.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You will experience industry exposure through your workplace training and assessment.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
Subjects within this certificate will enable you to:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Dental assistants are integral members of the dental health team, and they're employed extensively in private and public sector dental clinics.
Generally, you'll work alongside the dental operator, helping provide quality customer-focused oral healthcare for patients via:
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
This course is delivered as an apprenticeship. To enrol in this course as an apprentice you should:
You will be contacted by RMIT after we are notified by the Apprenticeship Network to organise your enrolment.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
All students are required to provide evidence of vaccination for Covid-19 prior to attending both RMIT and the Royal Dental Hospital, Melbourne.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer formal pathways into this course. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
When you successfully complete this certificate, you may be eligible to apply for further studies at RMIT such as a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$11,250.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$358.80 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$11,608.80 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$4,500.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$358.80 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$4,858.80 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $11.55 per nominal hour ($7,969.50 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$900.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Concession rate applied
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$69.00 |
| Material fees
|
N/A
|
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$969.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.75 per nominal hour ($10,177.50 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$358.80 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$358.80 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $27.37 per nominal hour ($18,885.30 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Concession rate applied
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$69.00 |
| Material fees
|
N/A
|
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$69.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $27.37 per nominal hour ($18,885.30 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$0.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $11.55 per nominal hour ($7,969.50 total).
Generated on 25 June 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Certificate III in Dental Assisting (C3407): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$0
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLRMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
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Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
