Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) - HLT45021

VOCATIONAL

Become qualified to take dental x-rays and provide advanced chair-side assistance in dental health settings.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

Fee finder

*Free TAFE course

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

In the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography), you'll learn to take and process intra- and extra-oral dental x-rays, and explore clinical photography for clinical use.

You'll learn through a mixture of on-the-job experience and off-the-job training. You'll benefit from the opportunity to apply what you've studied straightaway, building your professional skills and industry experience as you go.

The on-the-job component occurs in your workplace, under the training support of a licensed dental operator working at their own clinic or dental practice. The off-the-job component includes lectures, online activities, workshops and practical labs. On campus, you’ll study in state-of-the-art facilities at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

Why study dental radiography at RMIT?

Hands-on learning

Put theory into practice under the training support of a licensed dental operator.

Industry-standard equipment

Access cutting-edge technology at the world-class Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton.

Expert academics

Study under qualified industry members such as dentists, dental operators, hygienists and therapists.

*This is a Free TAFE priority course. Check your eligibility.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this certificate is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

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Learning and teaching

This certificate is best suited for students already working as a dental assistant.

If your dental practice doesn't have access to an OPG machine, RMIT can help you source placement at a practice that does.

Your study in this certificate will take place over two or three days every month. As a student, you will have access to cutting-edge technology at the world-class Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton. You will study in fully operational dental simulation clinics, which give you hands-on experience with intra-and extra-oral radiographs.

Assessment methods

Assessment in the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) comprises a combination of knowledge tests, case studies, assignments and practical observations.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

You will learn from qualified members of industry, including dentists, dental operators, hygienists, and therapists.

RMIT can provide assistance for students who require a work placement with access to an OPG machine. 

The training in this certificate comprises 400 hours of structured activities and 148 hours of unstructured activities.

Face-to-face classes are held approximately two consecutive days each month.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

In this certificate, you will complete two compulsory subjects that cover workplace health and safety and sterilisation of instruments.

You will also undertake six elective subjects that will teach you to recognise and respond to oral health issues, produce dental radiographic images, practice safe radiation biology and protection in a professional dental capacity, and to promote cultural safety.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)
Program code: C4419
National curriculum code: HLT45021
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)
City Campus
1 year
C4419
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year
Plan code
C4419
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Dental assistants who complete the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography) will develop advanced chair-side support to dental professionals in both private and public dental health practices.

Graduates of this certificate play an essential part of dental health teams, and will be able to create intra-and extra-oral radiographs.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

AND

  • be currently employed as a Dental Assistant.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Additional information

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If you are successful in obtaining a place in this program, you must meet a number of professional compliance requirements upon commencement of your studies.

Working with Children Check*

You will be required to hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this program.

Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check*

You will be required to present evidence of a successful Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (this is an annual requirement for the duration of your program). Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and your RMIT issued student email address once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.

COVID19 Vaccination*:

You will be required to undertake COVID19 Vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.

Influenza Vaccination*:

You will be required to undertake annual influenza vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.

Immunisation and vaccination requirements

  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa – adult dose), must be this immunisation NOT ADT (Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus – does not contain the pertussis component)
  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR, 2 vaccination doses AND blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity
  • Varicella: 2 vaccination doses OR blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity OR history of chickenpox
  • Tuberculin Screen: Tuberculin Skin Test OR Quantiferon TB Assay blood test (serology) to show immunity.

Please note: A full course of immunisations can take up to 7 months to complete, you should contact your medical practitioner prior to entering the program to commence immunisations. It is a requirement that you will have commenced all immunisations and will continue to progress this until completion of the vaccination courses by the deadlines set by the university.

Important: Additional immunisations may be required in response to changes in Government regulations or at the request of the placement host organisation.

Blood Borne Virus Tesing*

All students are required to be tested for infection with blood borne viruses (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV) no more than 12 months prior to course commencement. Students and practitioners performing exposure-prone procedures, such as dental and oral health students, are required to repeat this testing every three years due to an increased risk of infection transmission.

Please note: A full course of immunisation requirements can take up to 7 months. It is essential to confirm these requirements with the School as soon as possible.

*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student. 

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) (check calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

You may also be considered if you have work experience in this field.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Upper Intermediate at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

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Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

This program has many courses in common with the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, allowing graduates to receive significant credit if they successfully apply for entry to the C4419 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting.

Fees

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Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.

Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.

If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.

The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$1,150* per annum
  • 2025 government subsidised place (without concession): AU$5,750* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$11,750* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information