How much do dental assistants earn in Perth?

Dental assistants in Perth earn at least $29.11 to $31.67 an hour under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award from 1 July 2026, depending on qualifications and experience. A new unqualified assistant starts at the lower rate, while a Certificate IV holder is on the higher one. Casuals receive a 25% loading, and university clinic roles at UWA have been advertised at $34.25 to $37.93 an hour plus loading.

Can I become a dental assistant in Perth without a qualification?

Yes, you can start as a trainee dental assistant in Perth without a qualification. The award has a specific rate for unqualified assistants with less than 12 months' experience, and some employers, including Bupa Dental, have offered to enrol new staff in a Certificate III in Dental Assisting with practice support. Strong communication skills and reliability matter most when applying for trainee roles.

Can dental assistants take x-rays in WA?

Yes, but only with approved training and supervision. Radiological Council of WA requirements allow dental assistants to operate intraoral, OPG and lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment under the direction and supervision of an AHPRA-registered dental practitioner, once they have completed an approved course of training. Cone beam CT can be used under a suitably licensed dentist after training on that unit.

Do dental assistants work weekends in Perth?

Some do, because a number of Perth practices open on Saturdays to fit around patients' work hours. Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, full-time and part-time dental assistants are paid 150% of their minimum hourly rate for ordinary hours worked between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday, and 250% on public holidays. Ask about the roster before accepting a role.

Who hires dental assistants in Perth?

Dental assistants in Perth are hired by corporate groups, independent practices and the public system. Bupa Dental, Maven Dental and National Dental Care run multiple Perth clinics, while WA Health's Dental Health Services employs dental clinic assistants in the School Dental Service and public clinics. The Oral Health Centre of WA at UWA also recruits clinic assistants, including through casual pools.

Dental Assistant Jobs Perth

Dental assistant and dental nurse roles in Perth, Western Australia.

Latest Dental Assistant Jobs in Perth

Oral Health Therapist | Part-Time | Orthodontic Focus — Gorilla Jobs — Perth, Perth Region — Jobs by
Dental Clinic Assistants — The University of Western Australia — Perth, Perth Region — Jobs by

Dental Assistant Jobs in Perth Right Now: What the Ads Show

2 dental assistant job ads are live for Perth on Jobs In Perth as of 9 November 2026. The newest went up 12 days ago and the oldest still open is 15 days old.

Only one ad states an annual salary ($75k), so most employers here leave pay to the interview. Ask for the award level or hourly rate before you apply.

By work type: 1 full time, 1 part time.

Each of the 2 advertisers listed below has one ad open, so no single employer dominates right now.

Advertising now:

Gorilla Jobs (1 ad)
The University of Western Australia (1 ad)

Hiring dental assistants in Perth?

Reach Perth and WA job seekers directly. Post a job from $29 for a 30-day listing, or compare job ad pricing.

Not sure where these candidates look? See how to find dental assistant staff in Perth.

About Dental Assistant Jobs in Perth

Dental assistant jobs in Perth span private general practices, specialist clinics and the public dental system, and they are one of the few healthcare roles you can start without a qualification. Employers range from corporate groups such as Bupa Dental, Maven Dental and National Dental Care to independent practices in suburbs like Subiaco, Booragoon and South Perth. In the public system, WA Health's Dental Health Services runs the statewide School Dental Service and public clinics for eligible adults, and the Oral Health Centre of WA at UWA employs dental clinic assistants at its Nedlands teaching clinic.

The day-to-day work is chairside support: preparing surgeries, passing instruments, managing suction, sterilising and tracking instruments, and keeping infection-control records. Many Perth roles also include reception, bookings and payments, especially in smaller practices. Trainee positions are common, with some employers enrolling new assistants in a Certificate III in Dental Assisting while they work. Experienced assistants move into areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, implants and practice coordination.

WA has its own rule on x-rays. Under Radiological Council of WA requirements, dental assistants may operate intraoral, OPG and lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment only under the direction and supervision of an AHPRA-registered dental practitioner, and only after completing an approved course of training. Assistants with that training are more useful to a practice and are better placed for senior roles.

Pay is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which has separate dental assistant rates based on qualifications and experience. From 1 July 2026 these run from $29.11 an hour for a new unqualified assistant to $31.67 for a Certificate IV holder, and full-time and part-time staff are paid 150% for hours between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. The award's dental assistant classifications sit under transitional arrangements until 31 December 2026, so check the current Fair Work pay guide when comparing offers.

Dental Assistant Salary in Perth

Average salary ranges for dental assistant positions in Perth:

Position Level	Salary Range
Trainee / unqualified, under 12 months (award Level 3)	$29.11/hr base ($36.39/hr casual)
Unqualified, 1-4 years' experience (award Level 5)	$29.15/hr base ($36.44/hr casual)
Certificate III qualified or 4+ years' experience (award Level 6)	$30.63/hr base ($38.29/hr casual)
Certificate IV qualified (award Level 7)	$31.67/hr base ($39.59/hr casual)
University dental clinic assistant (UWA, advertised)	$34.25-$37.93/hr base plus casual loading

Market Outlook: Perth practices and public clinics recruit steadily, and corporate groups and UWA run casual pools as well as trainee intakes. Assistants with Cert III or IV qualifications and x-ray training have the widest choice of roles.

How to Get Dental Jobs in Perth: Qualifications & Licences

Common qualifications and certifications required for dental assistant positions:

Certificate III in Dental Assisting (HLT35021) - many Perth practices hire trainees and support them through it
Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45021) for senior and specialised roles
Radiological Council of WA requirement: an approved course of training before operating intraoral, OPG or lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment, under the supervision of an AHPRA-registered dental practitioner
Evidence of vaccination status for healthcare roles (required for WA Health public dental positions)

Work Environment: Fast-paced clinical work at the chair, with strict infection-control routines and PPE. Most practices run weekday hours, some open evenings and Saturdays, and smaller clinics mix chairside work with front-desk duties.

Who Is Hiring Dental Assistants in Perth

Major companies hiring for dental assistant positions:

Dental Health Services (WA Health)
Oral Health Centre of WA (UWA)
Bupa Dental
Maven Dental
National Dental Care
Totally Smiles
My Implant Dentist

Dental Assistant Career Pathway in WA

Entry (0-1 years): Trainee Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant / Receptionist
Qualified (1-4 years): Dental Assistant (Cert III), Orthodontic Assistant, Oral Surgery Assistant
Senior (4+ years): Senior Dental Assistant, Practice Coordinator, Practice Manager