The Team:

Oral Health Services Tasmania (OHST) is a division of the Tasmania Department of Health that provides public dental care services to eligible Tasmanians. Its primary goal is to improve oral health outcomes across the state, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.

OHST is a team of approximately 300 people including dentists, oral health therapists, dental prosthetists, technicians, dental assistants and administrative staff. Care is provided from 33 clinics around Tasmania. Adult services are predominantly provided from 6 major centres located in Hobart (New Town), Clarence, Glenorchy, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie as well as the 3 Special Care dental Units (located within hospital precincts). Child and Adolescent Services are provided predominantly from 23 community clinics which are either located in a community health centre or are a stand-alone clinic.

The Role:

The Dental Assistant is responsible for maintaining clinical standards in dental assisting by providing a range of support including clinical chairside assistance, administrative and clerical activities, and sterilisation and infection control practices, and providing training and assistance to less experienced staff undertaking a traineeship.

The Dental Assistant provides expert chairside support to Dental Clinicians while ensuring high clinical standards in infection control, equipment sterilisation, and administrative functions. The role also includes mentoring trainee staff and contributing to quality, safety, and child safeguarding practices within the Oral Health Service.

You will need:

• Certificate III in Dental Assisting or equivalent qualification, with demonstrated knowledge of clinical procedures, infection control, and WHS guidelines.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and within a team, using initiative, discretion, and sound judgement in a clinical setting.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, including the ability to manage clerical tasks, schedule appointments, and support training of less experienced staff.

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of appointment:

Fixed term full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible until 26 May 2026.

*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary: $67,193 to $72,126 per annum. Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2022.

Salary Packaging:

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible. 

Benefits available to eligible candidates:

• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility:

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria.

• Certificate III in Dental Assisting or equivalent qualification
• Working with Children Registration

*Registration/licences that are essential requirements of this role must remain current and valid at all times whilst employed in this role and the status of these may be checked at any time during employment. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that registration/licences remain current and to advise the Employer if their circumstances change. This includes notifying the Employer if a registration/licence is revoked, cancelled or has its conditions altered.

Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:

• Current Driver’s Licence
• Current First Aid Certificate Level 1

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Position Features:

• Required to wear protective clothing (provided by the Agency) in accordance with the Oral Health Service Infection Control Protocol guidelines

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties: 

Dental Assistant OHO3 (WORD)

Application Guide:  

Department of Health - Applicant Guide (WORD)

How to apply:

Apply Online. Please click the "Apply" button on this screen to ensure that important questions about you are answered.

You will be prompted to complete a 1-2 page application detailing your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties. A separate statement addressing the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties is not required.

*Applications from Recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this role 

For more information:

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name: Kelsey Watt
Position: Acting Senior Dental Assistant
Phone number: 6777 1092
Email address: kelsey.watt@ths.tas.gov.au

What it is like working at the Department of Health? 

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellent are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

Make It Tasmania | Move for a great lifestyle

One Health Podcast - Spotify 

One Health Podcast - Apple 

Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian 

Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.