Dental Assistant Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for dental assistants under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Dental 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.
$24.73
Base rate/hr
$30.91
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$24.73
Hourly (Casual)
$30.91
Weekly (38hrs)
$939.74
Annual (Full-Time)
$48,866.48
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Level 2 | Dental assistant (entry) | $24.73 | $30.91 | $939.74 | $48,866.48 |
| Support Level 3 | Cert III qualified dental assistant | $25.68 | $32.10 | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Support Level 4 | Senior dental assistant | $27.14 | $33.93 | $1,031.32 | $53,628.64 |
| Support Level 5 | Practice manager / dental therapist assistant | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Dental Assistant Pay Rate
Casual dental assistants receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $24.73/hr to $30.91/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 $61,078.16 (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 ($24.73/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 1 permanent employees ($24.73/hr base).
Saturday
$37.10/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$49.46/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$61.83/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 with a Certificate III or higher qualification should be classified at Support Level 3 or above. Check your classification against your actual qualifications.
If you earn less than $24.73/hr as a full-time or part-time dental assistant, or less than $30.91/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 | $24.73/hr | $30.91/hr | $48,866.48 | MA000027 |
| Retail Worker | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
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 $24.73/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $30.91/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 $24.73/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $939.74/week or $48,866.48/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.10/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 $30.91/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $24.73/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 ($37.10/hr), Sunday 2x ($49.46/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($61.83/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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