Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Certificate III in Dental Assisting - HLT35021

VOCATIONAL

Gain the skills you need to become a dental assistant in our state-of-the-art facilities.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

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*Free TAFE course

Next intake:
February, March, May, August, September
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

AU$ 11,000 (2025 total)

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Dental assistants work closely with dental operators in all stages of dental treatment and help to ensure that patients receive optimal care.

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.

Why study dental assisting at RMIT?

State-of-the-art facilities

Access the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital's cutting-edge technology and techniques.

Industry exposure

Workplace training and assessment give you first-hand experience of your future career.

Development pathways

Build foundational knowledge and skills to build a pathway to further qualifications and development.

*This is a Free TAFE priority course. Check your eligibility.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

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Learning and teaching

The Certificate III in Dental Assisting is delivered through:

  • on-the-job training
  • interactive classes for theory-based subjects
  • hands-on practical-based workshops
  • online learning resources.

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.

Assessment methods

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.

Learning at RMIT

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.

RMIT Capabilities

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:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

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.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this qualification and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

Subjects within this certificate will enable you to:

  • assist with administration in dental practice
  • assist with dental radiography
  • communicate and work in health or community services
  • comply with infection prevention
  • participate in work health and safety
  • assist with dental health procedures
  • process reusable medical devices
  • work with diverse people
  • provide oral hygiene instructions to patients
  • reprocessing and sterilisation of equipment.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate III in Dental Assisting
Program code: C3407
National curriculum code: HLT35021
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate III in Dental Assisting
City Campus
1 year
C3407
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year
Plan code
C3407
CRICOS
View plan

Career

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:

  • chair-side assistance
  • maintaining the clinical environment in a safe and hygienic manner
  • supporting infection control practices
  • performing dental reception duties
  • contributing to the administration of the practice.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

This program is delivered as a traineeship. To enrol in this program as a trainee, you should:

  • Make contact with Australian Apprenticeship Support Network who can explain Traineeships and assist with finding employment as a dental assistant 
  • Sign a training contract with your employer and the Apprenticeship Network provider
  • Nominate RMIT as your preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

You will be contacted by RMIT after we are notified by the Apprenticeship Network to organise your enrolment.

There are no pre-requisites or selection tasks for this program.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Additional information

All students are required to provide evidence of vaccination for Covid-19 prior to attending both RMIT and the Royal Dental Hospital, Melbourne.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.

Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options

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.

Find out if you might be eligible

Successful completion of the Certificate III in Dental Assisting meets the entry requirements for the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting program.

Fees

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Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.

Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.

If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.

The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$850* per annum
  • 2025 government subsidised place (without concession): AU$4,250* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$11,000* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

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.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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