Financial Aspects of – ADC and Building a Dental Career in Australia
Expenses in the ADC Process
Working in Australia as a Certified General Dentist is a great and ambitious idea. Once successfully done, it has many rewards and riches. However, as you read in the previous slides, you need to clear the ADC Exams and the exams do not come cheap. The entire ADC Exam is separated into 3 separate steps. You will need to clear each stage separately. Each stage is its own cost and requirements. Other than the main ADC Exam cost (for all the three stages), you also have the associated logistic costs such as – Visa related, international traveling, local traveling, accommodation and day to day expenses in Australia.
Not to forget you will also need to spend finance on ADC exam preparation. You will need to invest in books and materials.
The Biggest Expenditure Factor in ADC Exams
The biggest expenditure point in the ADC Exams is the Practical exam which has high registration fees (AUD $4,500). Also, chairside dental management, patient interaction, diagnosis presentation, and many other clinical parameters assessment in Australia, will vary from what you are used to in your country where you completed the BDS (Dental Graduation).
This difference is even more prominent if you are from South Asian countries like India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Though the basic education remains similar, there is a marked difference in the clinical approach and modes of patient interaction between a dentist from South Asia and an Australian dental graduate.
Hence before sitting for the Practical exam, it gets highly important to get a complete familiarity with the pattern and approach of the ADC clinical exams.
To provide coaching there are many private and professional coaching centers in Australia. These centers prepare the candidates for all stages of ADC examination and most importantly, the ADC clinical exams.
Please note that these private coaching centers are not directly affiliated with ADC and they charge a hefty amount. But reputed and long-standing centers can give a complete overview of the practical exam to a student from South Asia and other non-western regions. Getting a prior practice, knowledge, and preparation on the practical exam, is always wiser than directly sitting for the practical exam. With that overview, let us now have a review of all the possible expenses associated with your journey to ADC success.
ADC Initial Assessment
Cost for ADC Initial Assessment: AUD $610 (Time frame – 8 months)
Associated Costs: Depends on the type of requirements you will have. For example, let’s say you have your documents, not in the English language. So, you will need to get it translated from ADC certified translators. That might require some additional fees to be paid. Another example of associated costs can be the costs incurred while you arrange for all the necessary documents such as transcripts etc.
Initial assessment for dental practitioners
ADC Dentist Written Exam
Cost for ADC Initial Assessment: AUD $2000
(Time frame – 5 months)
| ACTIVITY | TIMEFRAME |
|---|---|
| Written examination application period | Approximately 3 to 4 months before the examination |
| Authorisation to test emails sent | 8 weeks before examination |
| Pearson VUE bookings open | 8 weeks before examination |
| Pearson VUE bookings close | 5 weeks before examination |
| Notification of examination results | 6 weeks after examination |
| Application for verifications and appeals close | 28 days from notification of results |
Associated Costs: Buying the prescribed textbooks and materials for ADC preparation. Reaching the exam venue etc.
Also, check the official ADC written Exam Handbook for the complete details.
ADC Dentist Practical Exam
(The exam will Take Place in Australia at the ADC Headquarter)
Cost for ADC Practical Exam: AUD $4500
(Time frame – 6 to 9 months)
| ACTIVITY | TIMEFRAME |
|---|---|
| Practical examination application period | Approximately 3 months prior to examination |
| Notification of application receipt | Within 2 weeks of receipt of application |
| Notification of allocated practical examination date | Within 6 weeks of practical examination application period |
| Notification of examination results | 6 weeks after examination |
Associated Costs: Books, preparation materials, private coaching if you choose to take, travel+ accommodation expenses, other expenses
Official ADC Practical Exam handbook with complete details of the information related to practical exam. You will also find suggested Accommodations with pricing.
The cost of the coaching centers for ADC Preparation
(If you decide to enroll in any)
At the beginning of this slide, we have discussed in detail, on the point of private coaching centers for ADC Exams. Please note the coaching centers are not associated with ADC directly in any way. Enrolling in any of the coaching centers does not mean you will have an additional upper hand in the exams.
The only benefit you will have is gaining FAMILIARITY with the various patterns and approaches that you should follow in ADC written and Practical exams. This is in particular beneficial for dentists who are from Asian or South Asian countries, where the approach and the system are slightly different from that of Australia. Hence, prior preparation is extremely helpful for the exams. For example, there are coaching centers in India and in Australia that provides comprehensive, detailed preparation for all stages of ADC to 16-day extensive preparation for the practical exams.
For the point of being unbiased, we would not be mentioning any coaching center by name.
But we will provide you a rough estimate of the prices that can be charged.
Coaching for ADC Clinicals: ₹162,000.00 = AUD $ 3387
One of our colleagues had suggested, “Dental Health Services Victoria” which along with health programs also conducts special Courses for overseas-trained dentists. These courses are ADC Oriented and cover almost every aspect that is expected in the ADC Exams. However, the courses are extremely pricy if you are a student from Asian and South Asian Countries due to currency conversion.
Caution: Before enrolling for any coaching center, evaluate properly about its authenticity and reputation. Check its reviews, its website and if possible visit the center to check on a first-hand basis. Ask your friends, check social media pages of the coaching centers and check for the reviews. In short, be careful before you decide to pay any fees to any coaching center for the preparatory ADC Exams course.
The Total Cost for ADC Exams as of 2019
$610 + $ 2000 + $4500 = AUD $ 7110
(The combined registration costs for all the 3 stages of ADC to be payble to ADC)
If you decide to join any private coaching center then it will be add on to the above price.
ADC Exam Registration Fees (3 stages) + Coaching center Charges = AUD $7110 + AUD $4000 = AUD$ 10,000 onwards
N.B: To the above pricing you can always add the logistical costs:
Travelling (International + Within Australia), Books, Accommodations and others
Its a considerable investment in terms of finance and timing. Hence, it is crucial that you take up the journey of ADC only when you are clear about two things:
- You are very passionate and motivated about working in Australia as a dentist and for that, you are willing to do all the hard work that is necessary.
- You have the proper financial backing to cover all the expenses mentioned above for ADC and the associated additional costs.
If you are not sure about either of the two steps above, then it is not advisable to try for the ADC journey. It will just lead to a loss of money and precious time.
The Cost of Living in Australia
If you are planning a stay in Australia much before qualifying the exam (and obviously after completing the ADC Exams successfully), then you need to have the preliminary information on the cost of living in Australia. Read the articles below from reputed financial sources explaining the cost of living in Australia.
The cost of living in Australia
If you already have direct relatives settled in Australia, then it gets relatively easier to get things moving. They can act as your sponsor and also will provide you the much-required logistical help in your initial days in Australia. However, if you do not have any direct family members in Australia, then it is advisable to contact fellow students, educational groups that can provide you the necessary information. You can also contact the Australian embassy in your country where they have counselors to provide information.
What’s the next step after Clearing the ADC Exams and getting registered with Dental Board of Australia
Its a great achievement clearing all the stages of ADC and finally getting your License from DBA (Dental Board of Australia). So, what’s next?
If you are assuming that once you clear the ADC exams, job options will come searching for you, then that is not true. All you have in your hands right now is the license to work as a general dentist in Australia. Hence, now you have to start working towards the money-making part of your entire journey of ADC – applying for job openings as Dentists.
You can start applying for General Dentist Openings in various Private Dental Setups or Hospitals (with an opening for a General Dentist). Few Sites that you can use to look for Dentist jobs in Australia are mentioned below.
Dentist Jobs In Australia | Recruit.net
Dental Jobs – Dentist Job Search
Please note: You will not be the only one applying for the post of general dentist. There will be many applicants of varying experience and all having cleared ADC Exams. For general dentist posts in reputed, long-standing and established private clinics/setups the competition will be stiff.
So, how do you improve your chances of getting the post?
You can improve your chances by adding on to your credentials. So, it is important that during your BDS/MDS days you attend reputed CDE programs, conferences to build up your CV. Even after clearing your ADC Exams, you will need to attend the Workshops to improve your clinical skills that are appropriate for high standards of the Australian dental health sector. Maintain documentation and certificates of all the events that you attend.
Join the Australian Dental Association as a member (after you clear your ADC Exams)
Being a member of the Australian Dental Association is beneficial in many ways. You get to increase your professional networking, meet fellow dentists and learn about more job opportunities.
Can I set up my own practice after Clearing ADC?
Is it viable? Is the most preferred approach?
Yes, you can. If you have adequate finances and planning then you may. But if this is the approach you are planning, then, you need to be very cautious and aware that it’s not going to be easy. Setting up your private practice in Australia can be as tricky as doing so in your native country.
The basic requirements are the same. You need a good real estate, proper location/neighborhood, instruments, sterilization protocols and much more. Also, the regulatory system in Australia is strict and the expected standards are high. Hence, in order to fulfill all the criteria to the best, it is going to require considerable financial investment as well as professional consultations.
We spoke with many expats working as Dentists in Australia regarding the viability of opening a private practice after clearing the ADC Exams. Here are some of the direct points gathered from the discussions.
- If you are from a affluent source with adequate cash flow, then the initial aspects get easy and much more manageable. Please note, it does not mean that your practice will be a runaway success. But it’s like having a head start. However, beyond that, it’s your quality, PR Skills, dental skills and business acumen which will decide how your practice fares.
- In case you do not have personal cash support, you will need to raise money from the market.
- For a general suburban dental practice, you might need to spend around $400,000 on infrastructure and equipment is around another $500,000. That’s almost $900,000. Let’s say you need to break even (to earn $900,000) then you will require $75,000 per month. That’s roughly $10,000 week and $2000 per day. Or 10 appointments a day with an average of $200 per appointment patient spend.
That’s easier said than done. So, for the possibility to break even you would need to earn at least $ 2000 per day. And to mention again that’s not going to be easy.
Hence, if you are new to Australia and planning a career in Dentistry (after qualifying ADC), then the best option is to Work as an Associate Dentist in a private practice owned by someone else. Depending on your experience and the reputation of the practice, you will receive a handsome HOURLY pay + Incentives or percentage. All that with no stress of owning and managing the practice. Just do your work properly and get the salary and incentive.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one working hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour.
Am I going to really have a better earning if I get a job as a General Dentist after qualifying ADC?
There have been multiple types of research over the years to review the earning potential of dentists in Australia. You have to understand that individual earnings will vary from one dentist to another depending on many factors – for example, the city of location in Australia, the experience and credentials.
But for the sake of assessment we will need to take an average. One of the best articles that I have come across which provides an in-depth comparison of the earnings of general dentist taking into consideration multiple factors is by SalaryExplorer.
Dentist Average Salary in Australia 2019
The survey divides and reviews the salary of dentists based on multiple factors like – location, educational degrees, gender, years of work experience and many other variables. So, if you want to have an idea regarding the possible salaries for working as a dentist in Australia, then the above article will provide you a detailed overview.
We have selected the major points of the article in a PDF format above. You can download the PDF.
Here is the summary of the Salary review from the above article.
- A person working as a Dentist in Australia typically earns around 17,812 AUD per month.
- This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Dentist salaries may differ drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
- The salary varies with the years of experience in the market.
- A Dentist with less than two years of experience makes approximately 9,457 AUD per month. While someone with experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 12,411 AUD per month, 31% more than someone with less than two year’s experience.
- The Salary comparison by Educational Degrees.
- When the education level is Certificate or Diploma, the average salary of a Dentist is 12,697 AUD per month.
- While someone with a Bachelor’s Degree gets a salary of 16,413 AUD per month, 29% more than someone with a Certificate or Diploma.
- A Master’s Degree gets its holder an average salary of 20,701 AUD per month, 26% more than someone with a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Dentist Average Hourly Wage in Australia.
- The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Australia for Dentists is 103 AUD. This means that the average Dentist in Australia earns approximately 103 AUD for every worked hour.
- This can be negotiated (whether hourly salary or a fixed salary) at the time of your appointment.
The Good Point
The above survey indicated one very pertinent and valuable point. Comparision of Australia’s salaries for Dentists, Health and Medical, and all other jobs. Dentists’ salaries are 68% more than those of Health and Medical.
What are the difficulties that you will face to start a dental career in Australia after I clear ADC?
The difficulties that you may face in Australia to establish a career in dentistry are more or less are the same which you will face anywhere in the world. None the less, it is wise to know about the points.
-
Saturation:
- If you feel you are the only one who cleared ADC, then you know you are mistaken. Every year more people apply and qualify than the previous year. Along with that, there are dental graduates from Australian Dental Colleges too.
- Hence, it is getting saturated and more competitive with each passing year.
- You cannot just expect to only work in the major Australian cities like Sydney etc. You will need to have a watch for job openings in the suburban areas too.
-
Cultural and Work Ethics Difference:
- This point gets more relevant if you are from Asian or South Asian countries such as India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. or the Middle East, Gulf countries. The majority of Asian and South Asian countries are developing countries with a vast population (of all age groups) with a doctor to population ration being very low. Hence, more focus is on getting health services for as many as possible.
- But, in Australia and other developed western countries, the population is low and the standards of treatment quality, patient-doctor interaction is of high standards and meticulously regulated. The patients are very aware of oral health and expect top-notch aesthetic treatments.
- Hence, a dentist from Asian and South Asian countries needs to adapt to the language usage of Australia and learn the professional protocols/ethics of the Oral Health sector in Australia as early as possible. Then only it is possible to make inroads in the highly competitive sector of dentistry.
- Work on your English speaking skills.
I hear so many stories and experiences from different people about Dental career in Australia – Some Negative and Some Encouraging
You are bound to come across many points of view, both against and in favor of a career in dentistry in Australia for a foreign national.
Negative Points:
- It requires a lot of financial investment. You have already spent a lot of money on completing dentistry in your own country. Now you will need to spend even more for the ADC Exams preparation and for the various stages of ADC Exam.
- It demands a lot of time and hard work. ADC Exams are not easy that you can just appear for. There is a long preparatory phase to make yourself adept in clearing the written and practical exams with a Pass.
- Difficult to get Jobs. Saturation is building up and it is getting difficult for the foreign dentists to get a job in Australia.
- Hard regulations: Dentistry as a profession is highly regulated in Australia.
Positive Points:
- The earings are high. In general, the dentists have a high earning capacity (we have covered this in detail above in this slide)
- Good lifestyle: Australia is a developed country with an advanced economy, health care, and lifestyle. That is one of the biggest motivations for young foreign dentists to work in Australia and eventually settle down as a residence.
- High oral health awareness. The general Australian population is more aware of oral health and is motivated to maintain oral health & aesthetics.
There will be positive and negative points. But it’s your journey and hence you should be clear regarding the points. Anyone else of your friends or colleagues finding success as a dentist in Australia does not mean that it will be easy for you too. Maybe you will need to work even harder than others. So, what you should follow is hard concrete data and if you are motivated enough to start a dental career in Australia. You have to review the resources you have to get down into the process and if it’s feasible for you financially.
Are there enough Jobs to work as a Dentist in Australia? I hear so much about Saturation.
This is the most common Qs that aspirants (planning to seriously work in Australia as a dentist or not) keep asking and there is no direct answer for it. There has been a rise in the number of dentists (Australian dentists and foreigners who have cleared ADC). The number of dentists and the jobs keeps fluctuating year to year. Hence rather than just writing statements on the Job scenario, we present to you some of the official facts and data on the dentist related jobs in Australia.
The Job Scenario for Dentists
Refer to the official: Oral Health & Dental Care in Australia Report
Here is the summary of the important points of the above link:
Please note the term FTE: Full-time equivalent (FTE) rate: The FTE rate (number of FTE dental practitioners per 100,000 population) is a measure of supply. By defining supply in terms of the FTE rate, meaningful comparisons of supply can be made across geographic areas and over time.
All dental practitioners must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice in Australia. There is a range of different types of registration to match different levels of training and experience. Most dental practitioners have general registration. General registration divisions include dentists, dental prosthetists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, and dental therapists. Dentists may also qualify and be eligible for specialist registration. There are 13 approved dental specialties in Australia (Dental Board of Australia 2018).
- The number of all registered dental practitioners in Australia has increased from 20,469 in 2013 to 22,042 in 2016
- The number of registered dentists in Australia has increased from 15,479 in 2013 to 16,549 in 2016.
- Around 9 in 10 of all dental practitioners registered in 2016 were employed in their field.
- The proportion of dentists employed in their field has remained relatively stable, ranging from 89% in 2013 to 91% in 2016.
- In 2016, the number of FTE dentists in Australia was 57.7 per 100,000 population.
- Major cities had the highest FTE rate of dentists employed in the private sector (51.5) whilst Remote and very remote areas had the highest FTE rate of dentists employed in the public sector (8.4).
- In 2016, around 4 in 10 (41%) employed dentists were female.
- In 2016, around 1 in 10 (10%) employed dentists were specialists. The largest group of dental specialists in Australia were orthodontists (529) equivalent to 36% of all dental specialists.
Hence, though the dentistry job sector scenario keeps changing (the same happens with every job sector worldwide), there are still opportunities for dentists who are willing to make it work.
VISA and Permanent Residencies for Dentists
VISA regulations keep changing depending on the requirements of any job sector in Australia.
Possible VISA types for a General Dentist
You can check the VISA Type required at the following official Immigration Skill Occupation List
| Dentist | 252312 |
|
Know about each of the above types of VISA by clicking on the official links below
482 VISA:
489 VISA:
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
407 VISA:
187 VISA:
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa
So, as a general dentist career goal, you will need to check with the type of Visa you will like to apply for. With VISA number 482 & 187 there is the possibility for permanent residency.
What if you are a Dental Specialist? Then you have an additional VISA type to apply for. But we will discuss that in the next slide when we discuss on Dental Specialists (MDS or People with dental specialization)