Entry requirements
The following information outlines the minimum entry requirements for all admission into this course. Prospective students should be aware of the admission and ongoing enrolment requirements for their course.
All applicants
To commence the Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics course students should have satisfactory completion of recent year 12 (secondary education) in an Australian school system or overseas equivalent. All non-school-leaver applicants must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. Non-school leavers can be applicants such as those with higher education, vocational education and training study or those with relevant work and life experience. Learn more
Sciences
It is highly recommended that applicants have Physics, Chemistry or Biology with a minimum of Sound Achievement.
Manual dexterity
A high degree of manual dexterity is required for success as a Dental Prosthetist.
Applicants who identify with having a disability or impairment that may detrimentally affect, or is likely to detrimentally affect, their capacity to practice, must self-identify to comply with requirements of the Dental Board of Australia:
Other
- Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study with TAFE Queensland.
- International applicants who are under 18 years of age and are applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place.
- All applicants under the age of 18 are required to participate in an Interview with the Dean Higher Education prior to an offer being made by TAFE Queensland.
English Language Proficiency Standards:
• PTE: Minimum overall score of 58 and a minimum score of 58 in each of the four communicative skills
• IELTS: 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
• ISLPR:3+ or better in all skills
• TOEFL: iBT: 79 (19 reading, 20 listening, 20 speaking, 24 writing)
• OET: pass at “C” level in each of four components
Learn more about TAFE Queensland's English Language Equivalencies (International students)
Learn more about TAFE Queensland's English Language Proficiency Standards (Domestic Students)
Please note that Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) does not satisfy English Language proficiency for this qualification.
Selection criteria
What type of Applicant are you?
Admission to all TAFE Queensland higher education courses is on a competitive basis, taking into account all relevant qualifications and experience.
The type of applicant you are will determine the selection criteria TAFE Queensland considers when assessing your individual application. Learn More
Apply now through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) or via Direct Entry Application.
Resources required
It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.
You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network. You will also need to have access to a Dental Toolkit, Articulators and 3D face bow (approximately $2,400). Further information will be provided during orientation.
Printing costs
For more information about costs for printing please refer to the printing section of the TAFE Queensland Library network website.
Placement
Clinical Practice Placement
During your course you will be required to complete clinical practice so you can start using and improving your new skills and knowledge in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to undertake patient contact and consultation within the TAFE Queensland Dental Clinic which is open to the public. Our clinic provides an opportunity for you to work hands-on with real paying clients.
Clinical practice is conducted as part of your units of study within the course, and you will be expected to provide your completed immunisation status in order to undertake your clinical practice (for further information refer to the Need to Know section.
Need to know
Download your Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics 2023 Course Information handbook here.
TAFE Queensland follows the transparency requirements related to Infectious Disease status; Immunisation status and Criminal history checks for its students as outlined by the Dental Board of Australia and AHPRA.
These transparency requirements are embedded within the registration requirements for dental practitioners or those seeking to become registered in the dental profession. Please see Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) and Australian Dental Association Guidelines for Infection Control and the Dental Board of Australia’s Guidelines on Infection Control for more information.
Orientation session
Part of the Higher Education enrolment process at TAFE Queensland is your attendance at orientation. This provides you with information about being a Dental Prosthetist. It will enable you to make an informed decision about your ability to successfully complete the course.
At orientation, you will be informed about the academic calendar, time commitments, and other demands the course will place upon you, so you can make an informed decision about your enrolment at TAFE Queensland. Learn more >
Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb)
Successful applicants enrolling into the first semester are required to undergo diagnostic testing through the Basic Key Skills Builder platform. This testing is delivered by TAFE Queensland.
This process identifies knowledge gaps in mathematics and English language competencies. This is followed by referring students to remedial classes as required.
Government Loan Schemes
This course is also approved for FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that covers the cost of your tuition fees on your behalf. FEE-HELP is available to students who are not studying in a Commonwealth supported place (and are therefore not eligible for HECS-HELP).
Criminal History check
During your enrolment at TAFE Queensland you may be required to provide TAFE Queensland with updated Criminal History Checks. If your police check identifies that you have a criminal history you may be disqualified from being eligible to undertake your clinical assessment, which would affect your course outcomes. If you think this might impact you, please speak to the course coordinator for further information. For further information see AHPRA.
First Aid and CPR
You must obtain a first-aid certificate and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate before commencement of Year 2 in the Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics (HED004). TAFE Queensland offers the First Aid and CRP Skill Set (SSHLT0031) which includes Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HLTAID009) and Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) core units. The cost may vary dependant on requirements, between $150 - $280. See the course brochure for more information. You will not be able to continue your enrolment in the qualification without providing evidence of attainment of those certificates. CPR re-certification is also recommended before the commencement of Year 3.
Please note: you will be responsible for any costs associated with meeting these requirements.
Immunisation and Vaccination
TAFE Queensland has a duty of care to its students, staff and patients to prevent the transmission of disease. Due to Workplace Health and Safety, it is mandatory that all students are up to date with their immunisations in order to minimise illness from communicable diseases and infections. TAFE Queensland follows the Dental Board of Australia’s Guidelines on Infection Control , Australian Dental Council Guidance for registered dental practitioners: Infection prevention and control and the Queensland Health Policy on student placements.
These guidelines require students placed in Clinical practice environments, to provide evidence they have been vaccinated for the vaccine preventable diseases or documentary evidence they are not susceptible to these diseases, prior to any such placement. Please note: you will be responsible for any costs associated with meeting these requirements.
It is a condition of your ongoing clinical practice to supply documentary evidence of follow up vaccinations and boosters for the following:
Required immunisations
- Tetanus and Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Hepatitis B
Recommended immunisations
- Seasonal influenza
- Varicella Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox)
- MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Please note: Hepatitis B vaccination - a course of injections takes approximately six (6) months to complete and if applicants have not had Hepatitis B vaccinations, they must begin the process prior to commencing clinical work in the denture clinic.
You will be required to provide a copy of your serology report as evidence of sero-conversion to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg). Please contact your General Practitioner to arrange a referral for a blood test. Students will not be able to commence their Clinical practice requirements unless they have provided the required evidence as specified above.
Appropriate forms
You are able to download current forms and guides here, to take to your treating medical practitioner.
Reference: Vaccination requirements: Information for education provider student placement supervisors
Disability or Impairment
TAFE Queensland has requirements to provide access to student support services and to promote and foster a safe environment on campus and online for its students, staff and the public. Students with a disability or impairment that detrimentally affects, or is likely to detrimentally affect, their capacity to practice must self-identify to comply with requirements of the Dental Board of Australia: For students please see AHPRA Registration and for prospective prosthetist please see Dental Board Registration.
Dental Board of Australia Requirements
Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for registration with the Dental Board of Australia via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency subject to meeting any additional requirements that may be stipulated by the Dental Board of Australia.
For further information, see the Dental English Language Skills Registration Standard on the Dental Board of Australia website. Learn more >
For initial registration as a dental practitioner or student you will be required to make a declaration that you are aware of your infection status for blood borne viruses and that you will comply with the Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s Australian National Guidelines for the Management of Health Care Workers known to be infected with Blood-Borne Viruses and with the requirements of the Dental Board of Australia’s Guidelines on infection control. Learn more Dental Board Registration.
Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) include Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency (HIV) viruses. These viruses are transmitted by blood-to-blood contact or, in some instances, with bodily fluids contacting blood or mucosa.
Student Profile
The student profile is a snapshot of data about all students who commenced undergraduate study in the most recent semester intake, including applicants offered in all offer rounds across all campuses and international students.
A student profile is provided for TAFE Queensland as a whole as well as for each of our undergraduate courses. The student profile shows the number of students admitted to the institution/course, along with their life and education experiences. Learn more >
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing comprises credit and recognition of prior learning. You may be able to have your prior studies or work experience count as credit towards your course and be able to graduate sooner. We call this 'advanced standing'.
Prior studies include units completed at TAFE Queensland or at another institution. Our policy is available here.
This course has the following specific advanced standing as outlined here.