8 Best Australian Dental Schools for International Students in 2025

Do you dream of a career where you help people achieve healthy, beautiful smiles? With beautiful beaches and exciting cities, Australia is the perfect place to make your dream come true. Australian dental schools offer abundant options with contemporary clinics, experienced educators, and immersive training. To help in your journey, we share the 8 best dental schools in Australia. 

What is Dentistry? 

Dentistry is a branch of medicine that specialises in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, teeth, gums, and jaws. It involves maintaining overall oral health and restoring optimal function and appearance. 

As a dentist, your role is to help patients maintain good oral health and disease-free teeth and gums. Some key areas of dentistry follow a preventive approach to stopping tooth decay, treating oral infections, and replacing missing teeth with crowns. Overall, being a dentist means using your skills and knowledge to help patients flaunt healthy smiles! 

Why Study Dentistry in Australia?

While you can find some of the best healthcare courses in Australia, studying in Australian dental colleges opens up amazing opportunities. Below, we share the reasons why you should get admission to dental schools in Australia: 

Top 8 Dental Schools in Australia 

Initially, it seems intimidating to choose the perfect one among many Australian dental schools. The journey of becoming a dentist takes approximately 7 years, and the courses have different requirements. Following are the dental schools in Australia and their indicative tuition fees, intake, duration, and courses offered. 

1. University of Melbourne 

‍QS Ranking: #14

Programme: Doctor of Dental Surgery

Course Duration: 4 years

Tuition Fees: AU$98,816/year

‍Intake: Late February/Early March 

The University of Melbourne is not only one of the best dental schools in Australia but also the second-oldest university in the country. Melbourne Dental School’s DDS course is a part of the Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences, and Dentistry, situated in Carlton. The advanced postgraduate degree focuses on pre-clinical practical classes and clinical patient treatments. For admissions, you need an undergraduate degree in physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, or any other related discipline.

2. University of Adelaide

‍QS Ranking: #89

Programme: Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Course Duration: 5 year

‍Tuition Fees: AUS$88,000/year

‍Intake: February/March 

The University of Adelaide is ranked 2nd nationally for its exceptional clinical training and experienced faculty. In the sea of Australian dental schools, this institution has been teaching dentistry courses for over a century. You will get to use the latest technology, like special CT scanners in modern labs, and participate in cool research projects. Moreover, this dentistry in Australia for international students will let you enjoy an enriching university lifestyle and access Adelaide’s Dental Simulation Clinic as well as community outreach programmes. 

3. James Cook University 

‍QS Ranking: #451

‍Programme: Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Course Duration: 5 years

‍Tuition Fees: AU$14,608/year

‍Intake: February    

If you want to get the best dental schools in Australia, James Cook University will teach you the fundamental theory of dental sciences and beyond. This dentistry course in Australia offers the opportunity to work with professionals and explore oral problems in rural areas of Queensland. Its long-standing reputation makes the institution one of the best Australian dental schools, and it welcomes around 1,500 international students. Being one of the best dental schools in Australia, you can grow in a diverse learning environment and leverage 2,000 hours of supervised clinical placements.  

4. La Trobe University

‍QS Ranking: #242

‍Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science

Course Duration: 5 years

‍Tuition Fees: AUS$74,912/year

‍Intake: Late February/Early March 

La Trobe University, one of the best dental schools in Australia, has a unique approach to preparing students for rural and regional dental care. Based at the Bendigo campus, the teaching clinics allow you to practise using the latest technology. You will receive ample hands-on clinical experiences and can treat real patients in the community. It is one of the best universities for dentistry in Australia, especially for its state-of-the-art medical facilities, like Dental Simulation Laboratories.

5. Charles Sturt University 

‍QS Ranking: #764

Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science

Course Duration: 5 year

‍Tuition Fees: AU$69,680/year

‍Intake: February    

Also referred to as CSU, this is one of the best dental schools in Australia, with over six campuses across New South Wales. This dental university in Australia offers a great environment with anatomy teaching facilities and simulation clinics, where you can undertake placements at any of the CSU dental health clinics. While studying in this dentistry school in Australia, you can practise at the on-campus clinics and become a successful dentist or dental educator. 

6. Griffith University 

‍QS Ranking: #243

Programme: Bachelor of Dental Health Science

Course Duration: 3 years

‍Tuition Fees: AU$65,000/year

‍Intake: March   

Griffith University offers access to observe and learn at a $150 million purpose-built Griffith Health Centre. Consistently ranking as one of the best dentistry in Australia for international students, the university lets you practise at simulated dental labs from the first year. You can immerse yourself in the modern dental landscape. The course helps you learn how to use intraoral cameras and digital X-rays during your placements. Moreover, this dental school in Australia surrounds you with 130 academic and clinical staff members for holistic experiences. 

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7. University of Queensland 

‍QS Ranking: #43

‍Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science

Course Duration: 5 years

‍Tuition Fees: AU$83,654/year

‍Intake: February   

The University of Queensland offers a rich legacy with its constant ranking as one of the top Australian dental schools. Throughout 5 years, you will gain over 4,200 hours of clinical experience. You can also choose from a range of elective courses, such as paediatric dentistry and orthodontics, to gain the latest knowledge of oral medicine, periodontics, etc. During your first year in this best dental school in Australia, you can expect placements outside Brisbane and contribute to quality oral healthcare. 

8. University of Sydney  

‍QS Ranking: #19

Programme: Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine

Course Duration: 7 years

‍Tuition Fees: AU$56,000/year

‍Intake: March    

Your journey in University of Sydney will start with the 3-year Bachelor of Science degree. Then, you will progress into the 7-year Doctor of Dental Medicine. Meanwhile, the dental courses in Australia for international students will help you to gain research experience and access advanced scientific resources at one of the oldest schools in Sydney. Also recognised as one of the best dental colleges in Australia, the university lays a strong foundation in physiology, anatomy, and chemistry before allowing you to specialise in dentistry. 

Types of Dentists in Australia

There are 7 main types of dentists in Australia. These are:

1. General Dentist

2. Oral Pathologist or Oral Surgeon

3. Pedodontist or Paediatric Dentist

4. Orthodontist

5. Endodontist or Root Canal Specialist

6. Prosthodontist

7. Periodontist or Gum Specialist

Dentistry Courses in Australia

Below are the various levels of Dentistry programs offered in Australia, which include Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, and Master’s degrees.

Application Process to Study Dentistry in Australia 

If you have always wanted to study in Australia, the dentistry courses will shape your career the way you want. Australian dentistry schools usually have varied admission requirements; however, most of the institutions follow the same criteria. Below, we share the admission prerequisites for the best dental schools in Australia.

Eligibility for Dentistry Course:

The eligibility criteria for the best dental schools in Australia are:

• Achieving satisfactory scores in either the UKCAT or BMAT exams.
• Successfully navigating through an interview process.
• Crafting an outstanding personal statement.
• Demonstrating relevant work experience, which can reflect a sincere interest in the field.
• Fulfilling mandatory criteria such as passing the GRE, in addition to proving proficiency in English through tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
• Submitting supplementary documents like a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LOR), Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume, and a Portfolio, especially for those aspiring to study in foreign universities.

Application Process for Dentistry Colleges

The application process for the best dentistry universities in Australia is as follows:

• Gather and arrange all necessary documents. This includes your Statement of Purpose (SOP), essays, certificates, Letters of Recommendation (LOR), and standardised test scores, such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT.
• Prepare for exams: Focus on preparing for exams such as the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT, and GRE, which are crucial for studying abroad.
• Submit application and documents: Once you've gathered everything, submit your application along with the required documents. Experts will then initiate the application process for accommodation, student visas, and scholarships or student loans.
• Wait for the offer letter: After submitting, anticipate waiting approximately 4-6 weeks or more for your offer letter. This is a crucial step in the process.
• Accept the offer and pay fees: Upon receiving your offer letter, accept it and proceed to pay your semester fees. This step finalises your enrollment process.

Documents Required

The documents required to enter in the dental schools Australia includes:

• Academic transcript
• Passport scan
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Letters of Recommendation (Academic/Professional)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Essay (if needed)
• Portfolio (if requested)
• Current CV/Resume
• Valid passport and student visa
• Bank statement

Career Scope for Dental Students in Australia

Dentistry universities in Australia offer top-notch educational programs, equipping students with the skills needed to pursue employment opportunities across diverse sectors. Here are some of the best career scopes for you:

• Research Labs
• Hospitals
• Dental Clinics
• Indian Armed Force
• International Welfare Organisations
• Forensic Department
• Dental Surgeon
• Oral Surgery
• Orthodontics

Average Salary of a Dentist in Australia

If you plan to study in one of the best dental schools in Australia, this is the salary you might need to consider:

Cost of Studying in Australia

The Great Southern Land, consistently high rankings in safety, presents an appealing option for dentistry schools in Australia. International students, taking into account their proximity to campus and the convenience of public transportation, may find various accommodation choices beneficial. Here's a breakdown of the expenses associated with studying in Australia:

After achieving a degree at one of the top Australian dental colleges, the world is your oyster. You can practise as a clinical dentist, oral health therapist, or community health officer after applying for an Australia post-study work visa. In the meantime, do not forget about finding your home away from while chasing your dream at one of the top dental colleges in Australia! You can rely on amber to secure the perfect student accommodation in Australia and fulfil your dream in the dental colleges in Australia. Good luck!