How to move to Australia as a UK Dentist - What the journey will look like.

The journey of moving to Australia is probably the best career move you can make. The amazing landscapes, people, work-life balance and much much more. Your day would look like: a beautiful morning coffee overlooking the beach, a short easy commute on relaxing roads, a team that is happy to see you with everything set up. The first patient walks in and is really appreciative that you are able to see them. You know the patient well and have ample time for a simple procedure because this is private dentistry now. They leave and you complete your notes pressure free and have time for a cup of tea before the next patient arrives. You are momentarily stressed about your UDA target, but quickly realise this is just a flash back and you can now focus on good dentistry, not fast dentistry.

How the people before you moved to Australia

It all started with a simple phone call. You’d been thinking about relocating to Australia for months—maybe years—but weren’t quite sure where to start. So, you booked a chat with the team at Holder Dental Recruitment. No pressure, just a conversation. You mentioned you were interested in living somewhere with a warm climate, great lifestyle, and plenty of work opportunities. “Perth,” you said. As it happened, they had a practice looking for a UK-trained dentist right there in the heart of the city.

From there, things moved quickly—but never felt overwhelming.

You were guided step-by-step through the AHPRA registration process, which is the Australian dental licensing system. Because you graduated from a UK dental school, you were eligible for the streamlined pathway—no exams or additional training required. You gathered your documents: certified copies of your degree, proof of English proficiency (usually covered by your UK education), a certificate of good standing from the GDC, and a few passport-sized photos. Holder Dental Recruitment even had a checklist to help keep you on track.

Once the documents were in, you applied online via the AHPRA portal. While the assessment took a few weeks, you used that time to chat with your future employer, learn more about the practice, and explore what life would be like in Australia.

Next came the sponsorship visa, which your employer was happy to provide.. You didn’t need to navigate the Australian immigration system alone—they had done it all before and knew exactly how to avoid delays. The visa that was arranged allowed you to work full-time as a dentist and even bring family with you, if needed.

Once your AHPRA registration and visa were approved, it suddenly felt very real. You booked your one-way flight from London to Perth, with a few butterflies in your stomach but mostly excitement.

Before you landed, everything had been arranged: a car so you could explore right away, and a short-term accommodation within commuting distance of the practice. The plan was to give you a soft landing—enough time to settle in before finding something longer-term.

You started work a few days later. The practice was modern, well-equipped, and had a friendly team who were excited to welcome a UK-trained colleague. Patients were appreciative, the pace was perfect, and the sunshine after work didn’t hurt either.

That was it—you were officially living and working in Australia. Dentistry was just the beginning.