The majority of dentists work in private practice.

You may set up a practice or purchase an existing practice. Other ways of working in private practice include becoming a dental assistant, which means you receive a salary from the owner of the practice; an associate dentist, where you and another (or more) join together to share the certain expenses, such as rent, while other expenses are paid separately and fees are collected separately; or as a partner where two or more practitioners share expenses and profits/losses according to an agreed proportion.

There are limited positions available to dentists in the government service, which employs about 15% of dental practitioners in Australia. A salaried government dentist treats patients eligible for publicly funded dental treatment.

Each of the armed services maintains dental units which provide treatment for members of the service and in some circumstances their families.

On graduation, universities are sometimes able to provide short-term appointments as tutors or lecturers. Permanent appointments require post graduate experience and higher degrees.

To be able to set up a specialist practice you must be registered as a specialist with the appropriate Dental Board. In general, you are required to have a degree, diploma or award of high standing which testifies to your ability in the specialised area, plus demonstrate you have been practising exclusively, or with considerable emphasis in that field for a reasonable time.