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🇦🇺 Australia · Dentists from the Philippines

How to work as a dentist in Australia from the Philippines

A dentist from the Philippines registers with Ahpra in 7 steps over about 24 months, with AUD 7,544 in published fees, and one thing is different from the Philippines: the Department of Migrant Workers' Overseas Employment Certificate.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · Ahpra ↗

What is different from the Philippines

If your passport is from the Philippines

What do I need from the Department of Migrant Workers?

A DMW (formerly POEA) clearance and an Overseas Employment Certificate, valid 60 days from issue and used once.

Direct hiring is prohibited except by the diplomatic corps, international organisations and senior government officials, and by others the administration allows, including employers of professionals and skilled workers on verified contracts above POEA standards (no more than five first-time hires) and relatives who are permanent residents of the host country.

Your steps, in order

Dental Board of Australia · ~24 months · 7 steps
  1. 1
    Dental degree or diploma of at least four years full time
    Source ↗
  2. 2
    English (Ahpra standard): IELTS 7 overall with 6.5 writing and 7 elsewhere; OET 350 (360 in reading and speaking); PTE 63; TOEFL 91; two sittings within 12 months may be combined; valid two years
    you pay · Source ↗
  3. 3
    ADC initial assessment of your qualification (AUD 647; about eight weeks; valid seven years)
    ~8 weeks · ~AUD 647 · you pay · Source ↗
  4. 4
    Pass the ADC written examination (two days; AUD 2,122; about five months; valid five years)
    ~22 weeks · ~AUD 2,122 · you pay · Source ↗
  5. 5
    Pass the ADC practical examination (AUD 4,775; four to seven months to results)
    ~26 weeks · ~AUD 4,775 · you pay · Source ↗
  6. 6
    General registration with the Dental Board of Australia
    ~6 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
  7. 7
    Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)
    who pays varies · Source ↗

The published fees leave out the English test, the visa or work permit and one step whose fee is not published.

What to do next

Tell us about your training, your registration and your experience, and we show which of Ahpra's steps you have left, with each fee and how long it takes.

Sources

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