The three ADC stages
That's about A$7,544 in ADC fees if you pass each stage first time, before travel, preparation, English testing and registration costs. Fees are set by the ADC and can change.
| Stage | What it is | Fee (2026) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial assessment | Checks your dental qualification and identity documents | A$647 | Usually 7 years |
| 2. Written examination | 280 scenario-based MCQs over two days at Pearson VUE centres | A$2,122 | A pass is valid for 5 years |
| 3. Practical examination | Two days in Melbourne: a technical skills day and a clinical skills day | A$4,775 | Does not expire |
Step by step
- Check whether your qualification is already approved by the Dental Board of Australia. If it isn't, the ADC pathway applies.
- Submit your initial assessment through ADC Connect. It takes about eight weeks and must be complete by the deadline for the written exam period you want.
- Apply for the written examination in its application window (about one week, roughly three months before the exam), then book your Pearson VUE venue when you get your Authorisation to Test.
- Sit the written exam (usually March or September). Results come out about six weeks later.
- Apply for the practical examination within five years of passing the written exam. Places are limited and you can't sit consecutive practical periods.
- Pass the practical exam to receive your ADC certificate, then apply to the Dental Board of Australia, meeting its registration standards, including English language skills.
Dates to plan around
Dates from the ADC website in November 2026. Always confirm on the ADC site before you plan.
| Written exam | Initial assessment deadline | Application period |
|---|---|---|
| 16-17 September 2026 | 12 April 2026 | 9-16 June 2026 |
| 17-18 March 2027 | 11 October 2026 | 8-15 December 2026 |
| 8-9 September 2027 | 11 April 2027 | 8-15 June 2027 |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free ADC Written Exam practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
How long it takes
The written stage alone is about five months from application to result, and the practical stage four to seven months. Add the initial assessment and the gaps between application windows, and even a first-time pass at every stage takes well over a year. Waiting lists for practical places or a repeated stage add more.
How to prepare for the written exam
- Study to the ADC blueprint: 13 disciplines, with restorative dentistry (14%), paediatric dentistry and orthodontics (10%) and preventive dentistry (10%) the largest.
- Learn Australian guidelines, not just textbook dentistry: Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental, the ADA infection control guidelines, the 2019 Australian fluoride guidelines and the Dental Board of Australia's codes.
- Practise scenario-based questions in sets of five from one vignette, the way the exam is built.
- Build stamina: four 2-hour sections over two days. Take at least one full two-day simulation before the real thing.
- Track your weakest cluster: you must pass all four, so one weak cluster can fail you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work as a dentist in Australia while I'm doing the ADC exams?
Not as a registered dentist. You need registration with the Dental Board of Australia, which for most overseas-qualified dentists follows the ADC certificate. Some candidates work in other roles, such as dental assisting, while they prepare.
Is there a limit on ADC written exam attempts?
The ADC sets no limit on attempts, but each attempt costs the full fee and you need a valid initial assessment each time.
Where is the practical examination held?
At the ADC examination centre in Melbourne, over two days.
Do I need English test results?
The Dental Board of Australia's English language skills registration standard applies when you apply for registration. Check the Board's current requirements.
Official sources
- Australian Dental Council: Dentists overview
- ADC: Written examination
- ADC: Practical examination
- ADC: International practitioners fees
- Dental Board of Australia: Registration
Practice tests for these certifications
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. the Australian Dental Council rules change; confirm with the Australian Dental Council before you apply.
