Dentistry

We recommend you begin your OzTREKK application about a year before your program would start. Most programs in Australia start between January and March, so that means you would start your OzTREKK application between January and March the year prior.

Here’s how the typical “cycle” works if your program starts January – March:

March – May: You gather all required documents like passport photo page, transcripts, résumé, personal statement, and send them to our office. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you exactly what we need!

June – August: Interviews (if your program requires one)

September – December: Offer time! If you get an offer, we’ll walk you through the acceptance (or decline) process and give you all the help you need to get ready to go.

January – March: Time to head Down Under!

Australia offers professional dental programs at both the undergraduate- and graduate-entry levels. Undergraduate-entry or bachelor’s-level dental degrees like the Bachelor of Dental Science or Bachelor of Dental Surgery are open to applicants who have completed high school, as well as to those who have fully or partially completed an undergraduate degree.

Graduate-entry (master’s-level) dental degrees like the Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine are only open to applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree and have written the Canadian or American DAT. The only graduate-entry option OzTREKK features that doesn’t require the DAT is the University of Otago’s graduate-entry Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Both the graduate-entry and undergraduate-entry dental programs will allow you to practice as a dentist in Canada as well in Australia. The name of the program does not necessarily affect its accreditation status. The program is not required to be a “doctor” program to be accredited as it is the content and quality of the program that determines its eligibility, not simply the name.

Yes, but you’ll require parental or guardian consent (signature). OzTREKK will provide the necessary documentation for this signature.

If you won’t be 18 when your program starts, you’ll be required to show that you’ll be living with an approved guardian until you turn 18. If you don’t have an approved guardian in Australia, you may need a family member to apply for a guardian visa to accompany you. This guardian visa should be obtained as part of the student visa application

Yes, having Grade 12 biology would give you a better foundation for Year 1 of a dental program. La Trobe University requires it as one of their prerequisite courses (with a minimum average of 70%), while The University of Queensland and The University of Western Australia highly recommend having it.

Currently, the only dentistry program that conducts rolling admissions is the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) program at La Trobe University. This is a new process for the 2025 intake. The remaining programs will have specific deadlines in place before an assessment is made. You’re encouraged to check the dentistry program pages for admissions details, as this can change from year to year.

To get into an undergraduate-entry dental program, typically the 5 – 6 best courses are assessed for the GPA along with prerequisites at Year 12 (varies by province). The exception will be La Trobe University, which will assess the weighted average mark (WAM) from Grade 12 along with prerequisites that also must meet a minimum grade.

To meet prerequisite requirements for all programs, students need to complete Grade 12 English, biology, chemistry, and math B (usually covering any of calculus, statistics, algebra, trigonometry, vectors, geometry)

If you’re not sure about your prerequisites, please reach out to dentistry@oztrekk.com!

The most consideration will be placed on academics such as GPA, prerequisites, and any applicable admissions tests. There may be cases where accomplishments and experiences outside the academic sphere may be mentioned, for example in a personal statement, supplemental form, reference letters in the case of James Cook, or interviews should a student be invited. However, we are not privy to the weight that may be given to these supplementary documents.

For the undergraduate programs, James Cook requires a supplemental form as part of its admissions requirements. It has approximately 4 questions to answer in short-essay format. JCU also allows up to 3 reference letters to be included in the application. Additionally, Charles Sturt and La Trobe both require a structured personal statement.

For the graduate programs, only Otago requires the completion of a personal statement as part of its admission requirements.

The most consideration will be placed on academics such as GPA, prerequisites, and any applicable admissions tests. There may be cases where accomplishments and experiences outside the academic sphere may be mentioned, for example in a personal statement, supplemental form, reference letters in the case of James Cook, or interviews should a student be invited. However, we are not privy to the weight that may be given to these supplementary documents.

Scholarship options in Australia are usually limited for international students as they tend to be reserved for those undertaking postgraduate research degrees; however, we can advise you where to look and whether specific programs have a history of offering scholarships.

Occasionally, scholarships are granted to high achievers—those with very high marks. In previous years, we have seen $5000- to $10,000-scholarships given to OzTREKK students.

Check out OzTREKK’s Financing page to learn more about scholarships and paying for your degree.