Australian PR Points for Dentist, ANZSCO 252312
Dentistry is a highly respected and vital profession within Australia's healthcare sector. Dentists (ANZSCO 252312) sit on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), which means the independent subclass 189 visa and the state-nominated subclass 190 visa are both unavailable - your only points-tested pathway is the regional subclass 491 visa. Regional healthcare is heavily prioritised, so this narrower pathway still carries genuine demand.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Dentist: Not eligible
Because ANZSCO 252312 is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), the subclass 189 isn't an option under current legislation.
Not availableSubclass 190: State Nominated
Dentist: Not eligible
ROL occupations aren't drawn on for state nomination either, so the subclass 190 isn't available for Dentists.
Not availableSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
If you are willing to live and work in regional Australia, the 491 visa offers a generous 15-point boost. Regional healthcare is heavily prioritised nationwide, and this is your only points-tested pathway.
→ Read our 491 guideYour Dentist Score Across the Points-Tested Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | N/A | N/A | +15 |
| Indicative range | N/A | N/A | ~65 pts |
| Occupation list | N/A | N/A | ROL |
| Assessing body | N/A | N/A | ADC |
* Note: The Department of Home Affairs does not consistently publish official occupation-specific cutoffs for every round. These figures are an indicative range based on general historical patterns for this occupation category, not a specific figure published by the Department for any round, and are not a guarantee of future invitation scores.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for recent general trendsSkills Assessment for Dentist
A positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
Dentist (ANZSCO 252312) is assessed by the Australian Dental Council (ADC)
| Assessing body | Australian Dental Council (ADC) |
| Official portal | adc.org.au |
| Processing time | Approx. 8 weeks for Initial Assessment |
| Initial assessment fee | AUD $647 |
| Assessment type | Initial Assessment + Examinations |
| Qualification required | Recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in dentistry |
Overseas-trained dentists typically need to undergo an Initial Assessment to verify their qualifications. Once approved, candidates must successfully pass both a written and practical examination. Note that the written (approx. $2,122) and practical (approx. $4,775) exams involve substantial additional fees and study time, putting the full three-stage cost at around $7,544 before any registration fees. Some practitioners from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, or Canada may be eligible for a direct registration pathway through AHPRA. From October 2025, the ADC changed its process so documents are submitted after the exams rather than before, and from 2026 a passed Initial Assessment is valid for 7 years (the practical exam must still be sat within 3 years of the written exam) — worth knowing if you're planning your exam timeline around other visa steps.
⚠ Registration Requirement: For actual employment and regional sponsorship, demonstrating full registration with the Dental Board of Australia (via AHPRA) is often just as critical as the skills assessment itself. Ensure you meet the strict English language requirements (usually IELTS 7.0 across all bands) for registration.
Regional Sponsorship for Dentists: Which States to Target
Since the 189 and 190 aren't options for ROL occupations, regional sponsorship (491) is your only points-tested route. It adds +15 points.
| State | 491 Status | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Conditional | NSW's 2025-26 program narrowed to around 65 occupations total, organised under four priority sectors, one being the Care Economy (health, aged care, disability, education). Dentist isn't individually confirmed on the current published list, so verify directly on the NSW skilled visas portal before relying on this. |
| VIC | Conditional | Victoria's 2025-26 program (3,400 places: 2,700 via 190, 700 via 491) closed to new Registrations of Interest on 28 April 2026, with its most recent rounds prioritising nurses, teachers, and construction trades. The 2026-27 program had not yet opened as of this update. |
| QLD | Conditional | We could not confirm Queensland's current occupation-specific status for Dentists. Strong general demand for regional healthcare professionals historically. Check the Queensland skilled migration portal directly. |
| SA | Conditional | Health professionals received the most nominations of any sector (639) in SA's 2025-26 program, out of roughly 2,250 total places. A positive ADC skills assessment is required before SA will consider your nomination. Confirm the current list on migration.sa.gov.au. |
| WA | Conditional | Healthcare and social assistance is one of WA's five named priority sectors for 2025-26 (3,400 total places), and Dentist typically sits on WASMOL Schedule 1 (health occupations). Exact round-by-round demand varies — check migration.wa.gov.au. |
| TAS | Conditional | Tasmania flags health and allied health as high priority, and health occupations generally only need 6 months of local Tasmanian employment (instead of the usual 9) to qualify. However, the 2025-26 program was fully delivered with no remaining places as of 3 July 2026 — watch for the 2026-27 program to open. |
| ACT | Conditional | Canberra matrix applies. Health roles generally score well. |
| NT | Conditional | Preference given to those already living and working in the NT. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically. Always verify at each state's official migration portal before applying.
Because healthcare is universally recognised as a priority, Dentists generally enjoy strong regional sponsorship prospects across the board, provided they meet local licensure and employment demands. Since the 491 is your only points-tested pathway, maximising your points before applying is a very smart strategy.
How to Improve Your Score as a Dentist
Strategic ways to boost your profile for ANZSCO 252312.
1. Superior English
You already need strong English for AHPRA registration. Pushing for Superior English (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent) gives you an additional 10 points. This is the most reliable way to jump ahead in the queue.
→ How to boost your English score2. Regional Work (491)
Working as a Dentist in a regional area gives you a massive +15 point boost, and it's your only points-tested pathway - it also aligns perfectly with government efforts to attract healthcare to regional communities.
→ Regional points guide3. Australian Work Experience
Clocking up additional years of skilled work experience as a Dentist in Australia can add points and strengthen your case when applying for regional sponsorship.
→ Points improvement guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reform Affects Dentists
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect.
Healthcare professionals will continue to be heavily prioritised under any future migration programme. However, the proposed changes mean that relying on traditional points accumulation might change. The proposed increase of the minimum threshold to 70 points could affect some candidates. As high-income earners, experienced Dentists could benefit significantly if the proposed income-based points system is legislated.
→ Learn more about the 2026 points test reform