The Australian Dental Council (ADC) has released its 2024–2025 Annual Report, and it offers a deep look into the organization’s progress, challenges, and strategic direction for the future. Whether you are an overseas-trained dentist, dental student, educator, or stakeholder in Australia’s dental workforce, the insights from this report reveal what to expect from the evolving regulatory and accreditation landscape.

In this blog, we break down the most important highlights from the report — from exam statistics and accreditation updates to major reforms shaping dentistry in Australia.

1. Strong Leadership Direction & New Strategic Plan (2025–2029)

The ADC has embraced a renewed vision: “A world where all health professionals are competent to practice safely.”
According to the Strategic Plan overview (page 7), the ADC will focus on four guiding pillars:

• Growth – expanding accreditation services and exploring new registration pathways.

• Innovation – integrating automation and artificial intelligence for operational efficiency.

• Quality – data-driven evaluation, research, and continuous improvement.

• Impact – prioritising ethical, culturally safe, and sustainable decisions.

This strategic shift means the ADC aims to strengthen its role locally and internationally in regulating dental competency.

2. Major Examination Insights — Lower Pass Rates Continue

The report shows significant examination statistics:

Written Exam (2025)

• Candidates: 3,325

• Pass rate: 12%

• Fail rate: 88%
  (See page 22 for full chart and table.)

This continues the downward trend from prior years, emphasizing the need for well-structured preparation.

Practical Exam (2025)

• Candidates: 1,880

• Pass rate: 11%

• Fail rate: 89%

• 77 practical exam sessions conducted
  
  
  This confirms that the ADC exam pathway remains highly competitive and rigorous for overseas-trained dentists.

3. Expanded Examination Capacity to Reduce Waiting Times

To accommodate more candidates, the ADC:

• Added two new dental chairs

• Increased OSCE session capacity from 24 to 28 candidates per session

• Introduced scheduling improvements, such as reducing OSCE station turnover time
  (Page 16)

This expansion allows 300+ additional practical exam slots per year, helping address long-standing waitlist pressures.

4. Accreditation Updates — Strengthening Standards and Global Collaboration

The ADC re-accredited 20 Australian programs and completed 11 site visits during the period (page 12).
A major highlight is the Accreditation Standards Review, focusing on:

• Academic integrity

• Equity & diversity

• Racism & bullying

• Clinical placement quality

• Digital health

• Workforce pressures

Increased collaboration with global bodies like Canada’s CDAC reinforces Australia's international leadership in dental accreditation.

5. Commitment to Cultural Safety & Reconciliation

The ADC launched its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) (page 27), introducing:

• Cultural safety as a core accreditation domain

• Indigenous representation on the Board and committees

• Stronger partnerships with First Nations dental organisations

This signals a growing emphasis on holistic, inclusive, and culturally aware dental practice in Australia.

6. Exam Blueprint Overhaul Starting 2026

A full review of the ADC examination blueprints (page 17) has led to upcoming changes:

• Alignment with 2023 updated Professional Competencies

• Modified structures for DH, DT, and combined DH/DT exams

• Reduced number of questions to better focus on competency assessment

These updates aim to ensure more balanced, fair, and profession-appropriate examinations.

7. Financial Overview — Stable Position Despite Rising Costs

From the financial statement (pages 36–38):

• Revenue increased to $20.11m (from $17.43m)

• Exam costs increased to $6.85m

• Net assets rose to $18.98m

Despite a reported deficit due to strategic investments, the ADC remains financially strong and positioned for innovation.

8. Human Stories — The Candidate Journey

The ADC report includes the inspiring story of Felipe from Chile, who overcame multiple exam attempts, self-doubt, and logistical challenges before becoming a registered dentist in Australia.

His experience highlights the resilience required to succeed in the ADC pathway—and the life-changing opportunities that follow.

Final Thoughts

The ADC Annual Report 2024–2025 gives a clear picture:
Australia’s dental accreditation and assessment system continues to evolve with more transparency, higher standards, improved capacity, and stronger global collaboration.

For overseas-trained dentists, this means:

• More exam opportunities

• Evolving exam formats

• Stronger support for cultural safety

• A competitive but fair pathway to registration

Understanding these updates can provide a significant advantage as you navigate your ADC journey.


Need help preparing for the ADC exams or navigating your pathway to registration? Contact us today for expert guidance and support.