Dental Assistant Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Dental Assistants earn at least $29.11/hr (Level 3), $36.39/hr casual — about $1,106 a week full-time — under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Dental Assistant Pay Rate
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027)
Dental assistants support dentists during procedures, sterilise instruments, take X-rays, and manage patient records in dental practices.
$29.11
Base rate/hr
$36.39
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$29.11
Hourly (Casual)
$36.39
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,106.18
Annual (Full-Time)
$57,521.36
What Award Covers Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants in Australia are generally covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some dental assistants may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
View full Health Professionals and Support Services Award pay rates →
Dental Assistant Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Dental assistant — entry level of the dental assistant stream | $29.11 | $36.39 | $1,106.18 | $57,521.36 |
| Level 5 | Dental assistant — Level 5 | $29.15 | $36.44 | $1,107.70 | $57,600.40 |
| Level 6 | Dental assistant — Level 6 | $30.63 | $38.29 | $1,163.94 | $60,524.88 |
| Level 7 | Dental assistant — Level 7 | $31.67 | $39.59 | $1,203.46 | $62,579.92 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Provisional: from 1 July 2026 the Fair Work Commission pay database lists dental assistants in their own transitional classification stream (clause 16.2(b), labelled "Dental assistants — until 31 December 2026") at Levels 3, 5, 6 and 7 — not the general Support Services levels. The structure is scheduled to change again after 31 December 2026, so re-check your level then.
Casual Dental Assistant Pay Rate
Casual dental assistants receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $29.11/hr to $36.39/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual dental assistant working 38 hours per week would earn $71,906.64 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Dental Assistant Pay Rate
Part-time dental assistants receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($29.11/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Dental Assistant Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when dental assistants work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 3 permanent employees ($29.11/hr base).
Saturday
$43.67/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$58.22/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$72.78/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Dental Assistant?
Dental assistants have their own classification stream under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award — an entry-level dental assistant should be on at least the stream's Level 3 rate, not a general Support Services Level 1 or 2 rate. Check the level on your payslip against clause 16.2(b) and your qualifications.
If you earn less than $29.11/hr as a full-time or part-time dental assistant, or less than $36.39/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $29.11/hr | $36.39/hr | $57,521.36 | MA000027 |
| Physiotherapist | $30.89/hr | $38.61/hr | $61,038.64 | MA000027 |
| Psychologist | $39.31/hr | $49.14/hr | $77,676.56 | MA000027 |
| Dental Receptionist | $28.03/hr | $35.04/hr | $55,387.28 | MA000027 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental assistant get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a dental assistant in Australia is $29.11/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $36.39/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a dental assistant?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), the minimum wage for a dental assistant starts at $29.11/hr (Level 3 adult rate). This equates to $1,106.18/week or $57,521.36/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers dental assistants?
Dental Assistants in Australia are generally covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some dental assistants may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a dental assistant?
A casual dental assistant receives $36.39/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $29.11/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a dental assistant?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, dental assistants receive: Saturday 1.5x ($43.67/hr), Sunday 2x ($58.22/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($72.78/hr) at Level 3 rates.
Related Tools
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
Embed the Dental Assistant Pay Rate Australia 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →