Annalene Weston provides a brief guide to practising down under.
Where can I work?
Australia is divided into eight states and territories. The majority of Australian healthcare is provided on a private basis, however public hospitals and community dental clinics provide "free treatment" under Medicare to eligible patients.
What do I need?
In order to practise in Australia, you will require the following, which can be obtained by clicking on the webpages listed:
An appropriate Visa!
www.immi.gov.au
Registration - Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
www.AHPRA.gov.au
AHPRA is the Australia National Registration Body and all practitioners must be registered with AHPRA in order to practice dentistry
Provider number
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pubs/medicare-forms/provider-number.jsp
This is a unique identifier required for each site you work at. A provider number enables you to refer patients for tests which are billed under Medicare; this includes extra oral radiography (many centres do not have an OPG machine).
Radiography licence
A licence is required to take intra oral radiography, and this licence is acquired in the individual State or Territory in which you choose to work.
If you wish to take extra oral radiographs, an additional qualification needs to be obtained whilst in Australia. This takes the form of a course and exam and is available through the dental schools in each State.
Prescriber number
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pubs/medicare-forms/index.jsp
This is a unique identifier for each practitioner and is required in order to write prescriptions.
Indemnity
www.dentalprotection.org.au
It is a compulsory requirement that all practitioners hold valid indemnity to practise in Australia. Contact Ken Parker on [email protected] to discuss transferring your DPL membership to Australia.
ADA
www.ada.org.au
While not an obligation, many practitioners find that the ADA provide them with helpful information. Each State and Territory has their own ADA, and in addition, there is a Federal ADA. Membership with your State ADA also qualifies you for membership with the Federal ADA.
What obligations am I bound by?
The Dental Board of Australia www.dentalboard.gov.au is one of ten National Boards which are regulated by AHPRA, and registration carries with it a series of obligations in the form of standards, codes and guidelines;
www.dentalboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines.apsx
www.dentalboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.apsx
Helpful Links
AHPRA - www.ahpra.gov.au
Dental Board - www.dentalboard.gov.au
Dental Protection - www.dentalprotection.org.au
ADA - www.ada.org.au
Medicare - www.medicare.gov.au
Job listings
Dental Post.net - www.dentalpost.net
Dentist Job Search - www.djs.com.au
Australian Health Sector Recruiting - www.ahsr.com.au/
Your Dental Protection indemnity can travel with you worldwide.
Find out more
‘Practice’ means any role, whether remunerated or not, in which the individual uses their skills and knowledge
as a practitioner in their regulated health profession. For the purposes of this Code, practice is not restricted to
the provision of direct clinical care. It also includes using professional knowledge in a direct nonclinical relationship with patients or clients, working in management, administration, education, research, advisory, regulatory or policy development roles and any other roles that impact on safe, effective delivery of health services in the health profession.