How to get sponsored as a dentist in Australia

Occupation list status and visas

• Occupation: Dentist, ANZSCO 252312.
• Lists: Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), Regional Occupation List (ROL).
• Employer-sponsored visas in our list data: 482, 494 and 186.
• Industry: Healthcare / Dental.
• Caveat: none recorded on the Core Skills Occupation List (WIDEN's copy of the Home Affairs list, read 6 November 2026).

The 482 Specialist Skills stream is open to occupations outside ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8 where the salary is at least A$146,576, so it is an option when the salary reaches that level. The job you are offered must match the Dentist duties; a different role cannot be nominated under this code.

Skills assessment, registration and English

The Australian Dental Council is the assessing authority for dentists. For a 482, a skills assessment is needed only where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for your passport country; for the 494 and 186 the rules differ, so check before you pay for one.

Registration with the Dental Board of Australia through Ahpra is required to practise. Overseas-qualified dentists usually go through the Australian Dental Council's assessment and examinations before registration. Ahpra's English language skills registration standard (updated 18 March 2025) sets higher English scores than the visa does; check the current scores on Ahpra's site.

Sources: Australian Dental Council · Dental Board of Australia: registration standards · Ahpra: English language skills registration standard

English: the registration standard above is separate from, and higher than, the visa's own English requirement.

Pay

A sponsored dentist must be paid at least A$79,423 (2026–27) and no less than an Australian dentist doing the same job. Accept only a written offer that meets the threshold.

Who you are up against, and where

31 dentists have profiles on SponsorTalent seeking sponsorship, 4 of them in Australia now. Employers compare profiles, so a complete one (assessment status, English result, licence or registration, and the locations you will accept) is what gets you shortlisted.

The employers who usually hire dentists: private dental practices and corporate dental groups, public dental services, hospital dental units, specialist referral practices.

Step by step

1. Check that your work matches Dentist (ANZSCO 252312) and gather proof of your qualification and experience.
2. Find out whether you need a skills assessment, start registration early and sit an English test if your passport does not exempt you.
3. Create a free profile so employers searching dentist candidates can find you, and apply to sponsored dentist jobs.
4. Approach employers directly from the approved sponsor list.
5. Once an employer offers to sponsor you, the employer lodges the sponsorship and nomination and you lodge the visa. For the legal steps in your case, book a registered migration agent at WIDEN. Do not resign or travel until the visa is granted.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dentist be sponsored in Australia?

Yes. Dentist, ANZSCO 252312, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). In SponsorTalent's list data it is eligible for the 482, 494 and 186 employer-sponsored visas. An employer must sponsor and nominate you.

Who assesses dentists for migration?

The Australian Dental Council is the assessing authority for dentists. For a 482, a skills assessment is needed only where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for your passport country.

What salary must a sponsored dentist be paid?

At least A$79,423 for 2026–27, and no less than the market rate for the same job.

How do employers find dentists on SponsorTalent?

Employers search candidate profiles at /find/dentist. A free profile with your assessment status, English result and experience makes you findable; applying to listed jobs is also free.