Dental Hygienist
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$76,000
Full-time annual
People employed
1,300
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and educates to prevent oral disease, and promotes healthy oral behaviours. This may include non-surgical periodontal or gum treatment, preventative services and other oral care.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and records patients' oral health status
- Performs dental cleaning to remove plaque and calculus from teeth
- Applies fluoride treatments and dental sealants
- Takes dental radiographs (X-rays) to assist in diagnosis
- Provides oral hygiene instructions and education to patients
- Performs non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) to treat gum disease
- Collaborates with other dental practitioners to ensure optimal patient care
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
71%
Female rate
96%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+9%
716 projected jobs
to 2035
+21%
1,557 projected jobs
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise accountCredentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
40
ACT · May 2026
3
VIC · May 2026
35
NT · May 2026
3
SA · May 2026
19
NSW · May 2026
30
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Dental Hygienist.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
1,204 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
1,204 employed
QLD
+41.65%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
1,025 employed
WA
+28.13%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South West
568 employed
WA
-11.94%
year on year
- 4
Sydney - Inner South West
537 employed
NSW
-9.44%
year on year
- 5
Australian Capital Territory
382 employed
ACT
+32.18%
year on year
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
2,270
Moved in from another occupation
225
Moved to another occupation
135
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 269131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
Data confidence: estimate.