RPL Interest Registration
Certificate III in Dental Assisting
This qualification is not yet available through RPL It. Register your interest to be notified when it becomes available.
HLT35021
Your expertise in chair-side support and infection control reflects a commitment to patient care that deserves formal recognition. We are currently establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations to offer a pathway for experienced dental assistants to have their clinical skills assessed. By registering your interest, you help us prioritise this qualification and ensure your professional experience is guided toward the recognition it merits.
About This Qualification
This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist dental practitioners during oral health care procedures. The role includes maintaining high standards of infection control, assisting with practice administration and supporting quality and professionalism in the dental sector. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 350 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the Units of Competency. No occupational licencing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Qualification Code
HLT35021
Training Package
HLT — Health
AQF Level
Certificate III
Total Units
10 (8 core + 2 elective)
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
National Register
View on training.gov.au →RPL It Status: Not yet available — Registering interest
Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.
Career Outcomes
According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | Provide chair-side support to dentists during oral examinations and procedures while managing patient comfort and clinic flow. |
| Sterilisation Assistant | Focus on the meticulous processing and maintenance of reusable medical devices and equipment within a clinical dental setting. |
| Dental Receptionist | Manage practice administration, patient appointments, and front-of-house operations to ensure high standards of professional service. |
Work Placement
IMPORTANTThis qualification requires the demonstration of skills over at least 350 hours of work in a dental practice. For RPL candidates, your previous or current employment hours are typically used to satisfy this requirement, provided they can be verified through clinical records and workplace verification.
Ready to level up?
Join our priority list to get notified the moment we open enrolments with our partner RTOs.
Register Your InterestGet notified when RPL is available for HLT35021
Receive a preliminary review of your experience
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Could RPL Be Right for You?
Experience can be evidence.
RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.
RPL typically involves:
A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements
Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency
Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation
If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise
ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice
RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.
Our approach:
“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”
What Kind of Experience Counts?
If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:
Work History & Roles
- ✓Detailed position descriptions from dental clinics
- ✓Employment contracts or letters of service
- ✓Performance reviews highlighting clinical duties
Clinical Procedures
- ✓Sterile set-up logs for various dental treatments
- ✓Records of assisting with dental radiography
- ✓Evidence of chair-side support during oral examinations
Infection Control
- ✓Sterilisation batch logs and equipment records
- ✓Evidence of processing reusable medical devices
- ✓Compliance records for infection prevention protocols
Practice Administration
- ✓Patient appointment and record management logs
- ✓Proficiency records in dental practice software
- ✓Clinical stock and equipment maintenance records
This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.
When will RPL for this qualification be available?▾
Why should I register my interest?▾
Is RPL the same as completing a course?▾
Do I need to be currently working in a dental clinic?▾
What happens if my evidence has gaps?▾
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Certificate II
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Register Your Interest
We're establishing partnerships to offer HLT35021 through RPL. Tell us about your background — we'll let you know when it's available and whether RPL is likely to suit your experience.
Priority Notification
Be the first to know when enrolments open for HLT35021.
Preliminary Review
Receive free guidance on whether RPL could suit your career background.
No Commitments
Registering is obligation-free and takes less than 2 minutes.
Ready to Register Your Interest?
Be the first to know when HLT35021 becomes available through RPL.
Register Your Interest