About the Australian Dental Council
The Australian Dental Council (ADC) is an independent, ‘for purpose’ company appointed by the Dental Board of Australia to accredit Australian dental programs, and assess the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes of international trained dental practitioners seeking registration to practice in Australia.
Further information about the ADC and its governance structure can be found at Governance – https://adc.org.au/about/governance/
To achieve our vision of a healthcare system free of racism, we need your expertise. As a committee member of one of Australia’s accreditation authorities you will be instrumental in making a meaningful difference to the healthcare outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. By being part of the ADC, you will be working with us to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are embedded in our decision making.
We are proud to have launched our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), with a goal to drive reconciliation and improve healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our RAP is a formal statement of our commitment to reconciliation and to progressing principles of cultural safety and self-determination across everything we do.
Further information about the ADC’s Innovate RAP can be found here: https://www.adc.org.au/about/reconciliation/
In line with special measure provisions in Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act (2010) the ADC will only be accepting applications for these positions from people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
About the Assessment Committee
The Assessment Committee is a standing committee of the Australian Dental Council (ADC) that makes decisions and provides recommendations to the ADC Board of Directors on matters within its scope of responsibility.
Appointed by the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, the ADC is responsible for a range of accreditation functions, including the assessment of overseas-qualified dental practitioners seeking registration in Australia. The Committee plays a key role in overseeing these assessment processes, ensuring they are rigorous, fair, and aligned with national standards.
In performing its role, the Committee supports the ADC’s commitment to high-quality, safe, and competent dental care by ensuring compliance with the National Law and the Quality Framework for the Accreditation Function developed under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
For more information on the Assessment Committee, a copy of the Committee Charter, can be found at https://adc.org.au/files/corporate/constitution-and-charters/ADC_Assessment_Committee_Charter.pdf.
The Committee is responsible for:
- Developing and implementing valid and reliable assessment and examination processes to determine the knowledge level and competency of overseas qualified dental practitioners seeking registration in Australia.
- Monitoring the performance of examinations by, among others, receiving comparative statistical data on areas such as countries of origin, pass rates, and attempt rates.
- Monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating examination procedures and outcomes for quality improvement.
The Assessment Committee meets two times per year either virtually or face to face. Committee members are paid an allowance in the form of a sitting fee for each meeting attended.
About the vacancy
We are seeking to appoint a Committee member who is a Dental Therapist, Dental Hygienist, Oral Health Therapist or Dental Prosthetist; and identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This unique combination of professional expertise and lived experience is essential to support the Committee’s oversight of the ADC’s assessment processes for overseas-qualified dental practitioners seeking registration in Australia.
Selection Criteria
All applicants are required to specifically address the relevant selection criteria.
The member will have a commitment to maintaining and improving the standard of dental assessment processes when discharging their responsibilities on the Assessment Committee.
The following criteria will be applied when appointing a member to the Assessment Committee:
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- At least five years’ experience as a dental practitioner.
- Person of professional good standing and without prior disciplinary restrictions on practice.
- Ability to present the professions’ expectations and views on assessment and contemporary dental practitioner practice.
- Capacity to demonstrate impartiality, open-mindedness, sound judgment, and fairness.
- Appreciation of the need for quality and consistency in decision making.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Previous board, tribunal, panel hearings, committees and/or senior management experience would be an advantage.
Application Process
To apply, find out more about the vacancy, or to express your interest in being considered for a Committee member position with the ADC, please contact April Kelly, Manager, Human Resources at recruit@adc.org.au.
Applications must include:
- A cover letter (max 2 pages) that specifically addresses the relevant selection criteria.
- Full Curriculum Vitae.
- Two professional references with contact details.
- All applicants must complete the applicable Skills Matrix by copying the below URL and pasting into a browser.
Assessment Committee skills matrix:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Assessmentcommittee2025
Applications close EOD 14 December 2025
Suitable applicants will be invited to attend a virtual interview in January 2026.
Please note, individuals involved in assessment/exams at the ADC are ineligible to apply.
