Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
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
2,600
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 prevents oral health disease, and promotes positive oral health among individuals and the community.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and prevents oral health disease for patients of all ages
- Provides preventive dental care including oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments and sealant application
- Performs non-surgical treatment of gum diseases
- Supports orthodontic procedures
- Performs routine dental procedures such as cleaning and polishing teeth
- Provides education and information to promote positive oral health
- Takes dental radiographs (X-rays) and interprets the results
- Provides restorative dental care including fillings and children's crowns
- 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
55%
Female rate
91%
Median age
33
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+9%
716 projected jobs
to 2035
+21%
1,557 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.
Official VET pathways
Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics
Progression pathway
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 Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist.
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
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
1,745
Moved in from another occupation
210
Moved to another occupation
90
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 269133
- 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).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.