Understanding the Dental Assistant Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Annual Pay

Understanding the Dental Assistant Salary

If you're looking at a dental assistant salary, the first place to check is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates for this role. The award covers full-time, part-time, and casual employees in dental practices and other support services. This article explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, and what to expect for tax and superannuation.

Award Rates for Dental Assistants

Under the award, dental assistants are classified into levels based on experience and qualifications. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current minimum rates. From 1 July 2026, the rates for dental assistants (excluding those covered by other provisions) are:

• Level 3 (unqualified with less than 12 months industry experience): $29.11 per hour
• Level 5 (unqualified with 12 months to up to 4 years experience): $29.15 per hour
• Level 6 (Certificate III or equivalent, or 4+ years experience): $30.63 per hour
• Level 7 (Certificate IV or equivalent): $31.67 per hour

These rates apply to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate but work fewer hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum rate, as set out in clause 11.4 of the award.

Calculating Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time dental assistant at Level 6 earning $30.63 per hour for 38 hours:

$30.63 × 38 × 52 = $60,524.88 per year

This assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you are casual, multiply the casual rate (including loading) by the same hours. For example, a casual Level 6 dental assistant at $38.29 per hour would earn $38.29 × 38 × 52 = $75,661.04 per year.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Fortnightly pay is simply weekly pay multiplied by 2. For the full-time Level 6 example:

• Weekly: $30.63 × 38 = $1,163.94
• Fortnightly: $1,163.94 × 2 = $2,327.88

These figures are before tax and super. You can use the timesheet to enter your base hourly rate and see the breakdown for different pay periods.

Casual Loading Explained

Casual employees under the award are entitled to a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This loading is paid instead of entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays. The loading is applied to the base rate before any overtime or penalty rates. For example, a casual dental assistant at Level 6 would have a casual rate of $30.63 × 1.25 = $38.29 per hour. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator; instead, use the base rate and apply the loading separately if needed. See our casual loading page for more details.

Tax and Superannuation

Tax is deducted from your pay according to the 2026–27 resident tax scale:

• Nil tax on income up to $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For the full-time Level 6 dental assistant earning $60,524.88, the tax would be approximately:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15% on $26,800 ($18,201–$45,000) = $4,020
• 30% on $15,524.88 ($45,001–$60,524.88) = $4,657.46
• Total tax: $8,677.46
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,210.50
• Total deductions: $9,887.96
• Estimated take-home pay: $50,636.92 per year

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. For the Level 6 dental assistant, that's an extra $60,524.88 × 12% = $7,262.99 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional contribution. Learn more about super and packaging.

Comparing to National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A casual employee on the minimum wage receives $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading. Dental assistant award rates are above the minimum wage, reflecting the skilled nature of the role.

For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A full-time dental assistant at Level 6 earns $1,163.94 per week, which is below the average, but this is a starting point; experienced dental assistants with higher classifications or in some private practices may earn more.

Using Pay Guides and Reference Tables

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guide for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award that includes all minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. You can download it from their website. For a full list of award classifications and rates, see our reference tables. Also check the pay guides page for links to official resources.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For a personalised calculation, use the timesheet to enter your base hourly rate and see the breakdown for weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay, including tax and super estimates.