Dental care has become an election issue in Victoria. On 1 November 2026, the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB) welcomed dental access commitments from all three of the major political groups: Labor, the Liberal and National parties, and the Greens. It said public dental funding hasn't kept pace with need.
This article summarises the commitments as the ADAVB describes them, the waiting-list context behind them, and what they could mean for Victorian dental practices. We aren't endorsing any party.
These are election commitments, not law, and the figures come from the ADAVB's summary. Check each party's own announcements for the detail, and expect the policies to change.
Key takeaways
- The ADAVB welcomed commitments on dental care from Labor, the Liberals and Nationals, and the Greens.
- Labor is described as committing $460 million over three years to 20 free walk-in dental clinics, plus workforce support and sign-on bonuses for public-sector dentists.
- The Liberals and Nationals are described as committing $40 million over four years to a rural health workforce incentive scheme.
- The Greens are described as committing $3 billion over ten years, including 20 publicly owned clinics and removing out-of-pocket costs for public dental care.
- The ADAVB says the test for each commitment is whether it reaches the people with the greatest need first.
- For private practices, the biggest effects may be on workforce competition, patient flows and patient questions.
The problem the commitments aim to fix
According to the ADAVB, Victoria's public dental system looks like this:
- More than 2.4 million Victorians are eligible for public dental care.
- Only about 1 in 6 eligible people are seen each year.
- More than 82,000 people are on waiting lists.
- The average wait is 15.1 months, up 10.8% in six months.
- Bairnsdale has the longest regional wait, at almost three years.
The ADAVB also says Victorian public-sector dentists are paid, on average, 20 to 30% less than their interstate counterparts, and that the Victorian Government hadn't made a formal offer to improve pay and conditions. It cites the Parliamentary Budget Office's costing of pay parity with NSW at $12 million over three years.
What each party has committed to
Labor
As described in the ADAVB's release:
- $460 million over three years for 20 free, walk-in dental clinics: 14 in Melbourne and 6 in regional centres.
- The clinics would treat more than 100,000 people a year, with urgent cases seen first.
- $12.9 million for workforce recruitment, training and regional relocation support.
- $5 million for sign-on bonuses for dentists entering the public sector: $20,000 in Melbourne and $30,000 in regional Victoria.
Liberals and Nationals
- $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme.
- Up to $10,000 upfront, and up to $10,000 a year, for health workers who stay in regional roles.
- The ADAVB also notes the Coalition's 2023 bill proposing payroll tax relief for GPs, dentists and allied health practitioners, and invites it to recommit.
Greens
- $3 billion over ten years.
- 20 publicly owned clinics open to all Victorians.
- Removal of out-of-pocket costs for public dental care.
- A pledge to make Victoria's oral health workers the best paid in Australia.
- Funded vouchers for private care while public capacity is built.
- Incentives for rural practice.
- Prevention measures, including extended fluoridation.
What it could mean for private practices
1. Competition for dentists
Sign-on bonuses of $20,000 to $30,000 for public-sector dentists, and pay parity talk, could draw clinicians away from private practice. Regional incentives could affect where dentists choose to work. If you're recruiting, see the dental receptionist shortage for the wider staffing picture, and consider what flexibility you can offer.
2. Patient flows
If free walk-in clinics open, some patients, especially those with urgent needs or cost concerns, may use them. Funded vouchers for private care, if introduced, could send some public patients to private practices. Neither is certain yet.
3. More patient questions
Patients will ask what's free, who is eligible and where to go. Make sure your front desk can answer clearly and point people to official sources. Our guides to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and the seniors dental benefits proposal show how to handle similar questions.
4. Payroll tax
The ADAVB's mention of payroll tax relief ties into a wider issue for practices using contractor arrangements. See our article on NSW payroll tax and dental practices for background on how contractor arrangements are tested.
5. Fluoridation and prevention
The Greens' mention of extended fluoridation links to a topic patients ask about. See what practices should know about water fluoridation.
What practices can do now
- Don't assume. These are promises, not policy. Wait for a result and the detail.
- Prepare your front desk. Agree a short script for patients asking about free or public dental care, and review your phone and enquiry handling. See handling peak call times.
- Review workforce plans. Think about retention, flexibility and conditions.
- Talk to your association. The ADAVB asked the parties for responses on its priorities before 28 November.
- Watch the detail. Eligibility, locations and how private practice fits in will matter more than headline numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Are these policies law?
No. They are election commitments. They only become policy if the party forms government and delivers them.
Do these apply outside Victoria?
No. They are for the Victorian state election. Dental policy differs by state and territory.
Where can I find the original statements?
See the ADAVB links below and each party's own announcements.
Next steps
Read the ADAVB's 1 November state election release and its Respect Public Dentistry campaign page. If your Victorian practice expects busier phones as the policy picture changes, book a demo to see how IntelliDent answers calls and takes bookings around the clock.