Dentist
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$128,500
Full-time annual
People employed
14,200
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Diagnoses and treats dental disease, injuries, decay and malformations of the teeth, periodontal tissue (gums), hard and soft tissue found on the mouth, and other dentofacial structures using surgery and other techniques.
Alternative titles
Dental Surgeon
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Examines patients' teeth and mouths to diagnose and treat dental diseases, injuries or decay
- Performs routine dental surgeries and other procedures, such as fillings and crowns, to treat dental conditions
- Restores and replaces missing or damaged teeth
- Performs cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance of patients' teeth
- Prescribes medications and administers local anaesthesia to patients as necessary
- Educates patients on proper oral hygiene and preventive dental care
- Refers patients with complex issues to Dental Specialists for specialised treatment
- May conduct surgical procedures such as tooth extractions or root canals
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
52%
Female rate
49%
Median age
39
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+20%
4,889 projected jobs
to 2035
+36%
8,751 projected jobs
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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
136
ACT · May 2026
13
VIC · May 2026
97
NT · May 2026
7
SA · May 2026
36
NSW · May 2026
116
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Dentist.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
2,444 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
2,444 employed
QLD
+15.39%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner East
1,418 employed
VIC
+19.26%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - Inner
1,274 employed
VIC
+6.88%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - Inner South
1,027 employed
VIC
+36.93%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - Eastern Suburbs
1,011 employed
NSW
+11.71%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
7,930
Moved in from another occupation
960
Moved to another occupation
835
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
6
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 269232
- 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.