HLT35021 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Version Effective: 28th of May, 2024

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist dental practitioners during oral health care procedures. The role includes maintaining high standards of infection control, assisting with practice administration and supporting quality and professionalism in the dental sector. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 350 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

Completion of the BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course.

You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

Under unit HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures, you are required to perform 350 hours of dental assisting work and have this recorded in your student logbook.

- At least 300 hours in a real dental clinic workplace.

- Up to 50 hours in a simulated dental clinic workplace environment.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

Vocational placement is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

Under HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures, you are required to perform at least 350 hours of dental assisting work and have this recorded in your student logbook.

  • at least 300 hours in a real dental clinic workplace
  • up to 50 hours in a simulated dental clinic workplace environment.

With adherence to infection control guidelines and in line with the current edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook, it is recommended that all students have surface immunity to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Contact your GP to arrange a referral for a blood test/screening.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $5,770.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $1,850.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,010.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $577.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $185.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $433.00 (2026)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Health
Skill Area
  • Health
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Students can work as a qualified Dental Assistant in general dental and specialist dental practices. 

Course Structures
Standard Course Structure

Students are required to complete 10 units, 8 core and 2 electives. The Certificate III in Dental Assisting is competency based meaning that it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.

  • Online
Core
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN015 Prepare for and assist with dental procedures More Information Training.gov Details
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control More Information Training.gov Details
HLTINF002 Process reusable medical devices and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN016 Assist with dental radiography More Information Training.gov Details
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN017 Assist with administration in dental practice More Information Training.gov Details
Elective
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN028 Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
1 HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
1 HLTINF006 - Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
2 HLTINF002 - Process reusable medical devices and equipment
2 CHCCOM005 - Communicate and work in health or community services
3 HLTDEN016 - Assist with dental radiography
3 CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
4 CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
4 HLTDEN017 - Assist with administration in dental practice
4 HLTDEN028 - Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan


Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
Online
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
More Details