Diploma of Dental Technology

Diploma of Dental Technology - HLT55118

VOCATIONAL

Gain the skills you need in dental technology to undertake entry-level roles as a dental technician.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Other
Fees:

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Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

Develop the skills you need to work as a dental technician, an essential role in any dental practice.

Dental technicians provide support to dental personnel in public hospitals, as well as in public and private dental laboratories and clinics. As a dental technician, you'll use impressions to manufacture dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances.

Through your studies in this diploma, you will learn how to construct models, impression trays, dentures, crown and bridge structures, oral splints and more. You'll also learn about infection prevention, first aid, workplace health and safety, recordkeeping, and communication and cultural safety services.

This diploma is delivered as both an apprenticeship program and a non-apprenticeship program.

Why study dental technology at RMIT?

Work-focused

Put theory into hands-on practice, gaining experience in all aspects of dental technology.

Expert educators

Learn from industry-trained professional teaching staff, many of whom are currently active.

Professional recognition

Recognised by the Australian Dental Association and Australian Dental Prosthetists Association.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this diploma is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

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Learning and teaching

The apprenticeship course combines Interactive online learning with on-the-job training.

RMIT staff will liaise closely with your workplace supervisors to ensure your individual learning needs are being met. You will also attend practical classes on campus.

In the full-time (non-apprenticeship) course, you'll undertake interactive online learning with practical activitiesin the state-of-the-art simulated workplace environments at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton, and gain experience in all aspects of dental technology.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including collaborative online learning, laboratory work, seminars, presentations, and group discussions.You'll have access to online resources.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes tests, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects and practical assignments.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes tests, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects and practical assignments.

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.

Apprenticeship students will benefit from on-the-job training while completing their studies and have the opportunity to perform practical work on campus under the supervision of our qualified teachers.

This also provides opportunities to interact with other apprentices.

Non-apprenticeship students will receive training in simulated work environments by industry trained professional teaching staff, many of whom are currently working in the industry.

The Diploma of Dental Technology is based at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton.

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

 

To graduate from the Diploma of Dental Technology, you must complete 21 core subjects and four electives.

Practical subjects are designed to teach you how to construct:

  • models
  • custom impression trays
  • registration rims
  • thermoformed bases and appliances
  • immediate dentures
  • removable acrylic partial dentures
  • cast alloy removable partial denture framework
  • crown and bridge structures
  • ceramic and fixed restorations
  • orthodondic appliances
  • oral splints
  • dental restorations and appliances, and more. 

You will also learn to set up a records system for small businesses, articulate models and transfer records, apply infection prevention and control methods, maintain work health and safety, and provide first aid. 

Further, you will be able to communicate professionally in health and community services, learn about working with diverse people, and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.

Course structure

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

Diploma of Dental Technology
Program code: C5387
National curriculum code: HLT55118
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Dental Technology
City Campus
Apprenticeship: 3 years part time. Non Apprenticeship: 2 years full time
C5387
Location
City Campus
Duration
Apprenticeship: 3 years part time. Non Apprenticeship: 2 years full time
Plan code
C5387
CRICOS
View plan

Apprenticeship

  • Three years part-time
  • Delivered in block-release format, 24 weeks on-campus

Non-apprenticeship

  • Two years full-time
  • Students attend RMIT two days a week

Career

Graduates are qualified to undertake technical work in denture construction, cast partial denture fabrication, orthodontics, and crown and bridge construction.

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This program is supported and underpinned by a national health training package and is a recognised occupation by the Australian Dental Association and Australian Dental Prosthetists Association.

Entry requirements and admissions

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

Apprenticeship

This program is delivered as an apprenticeship. To enrol in this program as an apprentice you should: 

  • Make contact with Australian Apprenticeship Support Network who can explain Apprenticeship and assist with finding employment as an apprentice
  • 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. 

Non-apprenticeship

There are no minimum academic entry requirements. Applicants must meet the minimum university entry requirements.

Non-apprenticeship Ranking

Entry into the non-apprenticeship qualification is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked. 

Applicants are advised to upload evidence of any complete or partially completed qualification/s along with an official transcript of results. 

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

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

Additional information

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Important: Additional immunisations may be required in response to changes in Government regulations or at the request of the placement host organisation.

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.

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.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the course/s below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

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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.

2 year duration non-apprentices

  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$13,000* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$18,500* per annum

3 year duration apprentices

  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$6,500* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$12,500* 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.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

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.

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.

Materials fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

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.

Material fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

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.

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.

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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Acknowledgement of Country

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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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

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.

More information