HLT45021 - Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Version Effective: 1st of January, 2025

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners which contributes to the quality of oral health care. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user licence granted by the relevant State /Territory regulatory authority under legislation. Successful students will be able to apply for a radiation licence applicable in their state/territory.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who have achieved:

HLT31812 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
equivalent.

Students are required to complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment unless they have completed an equal or higher-level course.

Work placement requirements: Vocational placement is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

On the job training is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. Students must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification.  Students are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility.  It is recommended for students to work a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

 

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $2,768.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $346.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $260.00 (2026)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Health
Skill Area
  • Health
AQF Level Level 4: Certificate IV

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Students completing HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting will develop the skills to provide an advanced level of assistance to oral health professionals. Successful students will be able to apply for a radiation licence applicable in their state/territory.

Course Structures
Online Course Structure

1 - 2 years. This course is delivered online via the CQUniversity Moodle platform. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a recommended 12 hours per week in order to complete the practical requirements of this course.

  • Online
Cluster 1 - Work Health and Safety and Cultural Safety
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety More Information Training.gov Details
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 2 - Dental Radiography Specialisation
HLTDEN022 Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN023 Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN021 Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 3 - Sterilise Loads and Medical Terminology
HLTSTE003 Sterilise loads More Information Training.gov Details
BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 4 - Recognise and Respond to Oral Health Issues
HLTOHC007 Recognise and respond to oral health issues More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
1 HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety
2 HLTDEN022 - Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image
2 HLTDEN023 - Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image
2 HLTDEN021 - Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice
3 HLTSTE003 - Sterilise loads
3 BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
4 HLTOHC007 - Recognise and respond to oral health issues


Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Practical Task
Project
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online Course Structure
Online
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Online Course Structure
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
More Details