Oral Health Practitioners (Fees) Notice 2025 (No. 1)

Notice is given of the making of the following secondary legislation, pursuant to sections 130–133 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“Act”), and administered by Dental Council.

Notice

1. Title and Commencement

(1) This notice may be cited as the Oral Health Practitioners (Fees) Notice 2025 (No. 1) and shall come into force on 27 February 2025, with fees payable to the Dental Council effective from the dates specified in the schedule.

(2) This notice replaces ‘Oral Health Practitioners (Fees) Notice 2024 (No. 1)’ published in the New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2024, Notice No. 2024-sl348, on the dates at which the attached schedule states the new fees to be payable.

2. Fees

The Dental Council sets the following fees specified in the attached schedule.

3. Tax

The fees are stated exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST). All fees are subject to the addition of GST at the applicable rate.

Schedule

Annual Practising Certificate Fees	*NZD $*
For the 2026 Levy Year Fees Payable effective 27 February 2025
Oral Health Therapists
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	868.47
(b) Disciplinary levy	(0.59)
To be eligible for the disciplinary levy refund, a practising certificate must have been held for the 2024/25 practising year. Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 31 March 2026, pay a four-month practising fee of $289.49 and disciplinary levy of $nil.
Practitioners who hold an annual practising certificate for the period ending 31 March 2025 whose complete and correct 2025/26 annual practising certificate application form and payment are not received by the Dental Council until after 31 March 2025:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $95.00)	963.47
(b) Disciplinary levy	(0.59)
Dental Hygienists and Orthodontic Auxiliaries
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	701.67
(b) Disciplinary levy	90.97
Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 31 March 2026, pay a four-month practising fee of $233.89 and disciplinary levy of $30.32.
Practitioners who hold an annual practising certificate for the period ending 31 March 2025 whose complete and correct 2025/26 annual practising certificate application form and payment are not received by the Dental Council until after 31 March 2025:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $95.00)	796.67
(b) Disciplinary levy	90.97
Dental Therapists
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	933.78
(b) Disciplinary levy	(50.82)
To be eligible for the disciplinary levy refund, a practising certificate must have been held for the 2024/25 practising year. Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 31 March 2026, pay a four-month practising fee of $311.26 and disciplinary levy of $nil.
Practitioners who hold an annual practising certificate for the period ending 31 March 2025 whose complete and correct 2025/26 annual practising certificate application form and payment are not received by the Dental Council until after 31 March 2025:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $95.00)	1,028.78
(b) Disciplinary levy	(50.82)
Dental Technicians and Clinical Dental Technicians
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	804.80
(b) Disciplinary levy	(0.09)
To be eligible for the disciplinary levy refund, a practising certificate must have been held for the 2024/25 practising year. Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 31 March 2026, pay a four-month practising fee of $268.27 and disciplinary levy of $nil.
Practitioners who hold an annual practising certificate for the period ending 31 March 2025 whose complete and correct 2025/26 annual practising certificate application form and payment are not received by the Dental Council until after 31 March 2025:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $95.00)	899.80
(b) Disciplinary levy	(0.09)
Annual fee for non-practising registrants to be retained on the register, excluding non-practising Dentist and Dental Specialist registrants (for period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026)	206.00

Fees Payable effective 1 September 2025
Dentists and Dental Specialists
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	1,137.18
(b) Disciplinary levy	105.89
Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 30 September 2026, pay a four-month practising fee of $379.06 and disciplinary levy of $35.30.
Practitioners who hold an annual practising certificate for the period ending 30 September 2025 whose complete and correct 2025/26 annual practising certificate application form and payment are not received by the Dental Council until after 30 September 2025:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $95.00)	1,232.18
(b) Disciplinary levy	105.89
Annual fee for non-practising Dentist and Dental Specialist registrants to be retained on the register (for period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026)	206.00

For the 2025 Levy Year
The annual practising certificate fees as specified in ‘Oral Health Practitioners (Fees) Notice 2024 (No. 1)’ published in the New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2024, Notice No. 2024-sl348, are still in effect for any applications relating to the 2025 levy year. The 2025 levy year for all registrants, excluding Dentist and Dental Specialist registrants, covers the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Dentists and Dental Specialists
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee	1,075.82
(b) Disciplinary levy	127.46
Applicants who apply for a practising certificate within four months of the end of the annual practising cycle ending on 30 September 2025, pay a four-month practising fee of $358.61 and disciplinary levy of $42.49.
Practitioners who held an annual practising certificate for the period ending 30 September 2024 whose complete and correct 2024/25 annual practising certificate application form and payment were not received by the Dental Council by 30 September 2024:
Annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 comprising:
(a) Annual practising certificate fee (includes additional processing fee $91.78)	1,167.60
(b) Disciplinary levy	127.46
Annual fee for non-practising Dentist and Dental Specialist registrants to be retained on the register (for period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025)	200.39
Registration and other fees
Fees Payable effective 1 April 2025
Registration Fees (plus applicable annual practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy or non-practising retention fee)
New Zealand Qualified or NZDREX Applicant
Application for registration	623.00
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR) Applicant
Application for registration	623.00
Overseas Applicant with Prescribed Qualification
Application for assessment of eligibility to be registered	1,558.00
Applicant with Non-prescribed Qualification
Application for assessment of eligibility to be registered under section 15(2) of the Act	7,331.00
Resubmission of application for assessment of eligibility under section 15(2) of the Act	3,661.00
Withdrawal of application for assessment of eligibility under section 15(2) of the Act when application had been submitted for a period longer than 90 days	1,466.00
Applicant with Non-prescribed Specialist Qualification
Application for assessment of eligibility to be registered under section 15(2) of the Act	8,599.00
Resubmission of application for assessment of eligibility under section 15(2) of the Act	3,661.00
Withdrawal of application for assessment of eligibility under section 15(2) of the Act when application had been submitted for a period longer than 90 days	1,720.00
Other Fees
Application to transfer from non-practising to practising where applicant is subject to recency of practice policy (in addition to the applicable annual practising certificate fee)	374.00
Application for removal of an exclusion(s) on the scope of practice after completion of a Dental Council approved course/accredited programme	343.00
Application for removal of an exclusion(s) on the scope of practice after completion of a course not approved by the Dental Council	623.00
Application for registration with a prescribed qualification in an additional scope of practice	343.00
Application for registration with a non-prescribed qualification in an additional scope of practice	964.00
Application for variation on the scope of practice	343.00
Application for additional registration advice	623.00
Application for restoration to the Dental Register	623.00
Supply of certificate of good standing	125.00
Supply of replacement registration certificate or any other certificate	125.00
Application to undertake supervised orthodontic auxiliary practice while undertaking a prescribed training course	125.00
Application for an electronic copy of the published Dental Council Register	273.00
Administration Fee	95.00
Examination Fees
New Zealand Dental Specialist Registration Examination	24,464.00
New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination (NZDTREX) – clinical examination	8,195.00
New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination (NZDTREX) – written examination	6,304.00
New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examination (NZDHREX) – clinical examination	8,195.00
New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examination (NZDHREX) – written examination	6,304.00
New Zealand Oral Health Therapy Registration Examination (NZOHTREX) – clinical examination	8,195.00
New Zealand Oral Health Therapy Registration Examination (NZOHTREX) – written examination	6,304.00
New Zealand Dental Technology Registration Examination (NZDTechREX) – combined examination (written and technical)	8,195.00

Professional Standards Fees ¹^{, 2, 3}
Supervision ¹^{, 2, 3} (12-month programme)	Cost recovery
Oversight ¹^{, 2, 3} (12-month programme)	5,208.00
Competence/Recertification Programme ¹^{, 2, 3}	Cost recovery
Distance learning – per module	4,034.00
Clinical Training – per practice area of training	6,904.00
Health Programme Fees ¹^{, 2, 3}
Drug and Alcohol Screening Programme – set up and administration ¹^{, 2, 3}
Set up and administration first 12 months	1,141.00
Administration each 12 months thereafter	570.00
Third party testing – fee per test ^{1, 3}	164.00
Education Fees
Accreditation of Programmes	Cost recovery
Direct professional fees, travel, accommodation and other costs for site evaluation team members together with Council administration expenses for teleconference meetings, printing and postage etc., will be charged to the Educational Institution under review, based on actual costs incurred. Dental Council staff administrative overheads incurred throughout the accreditation process will also be charged to the Educational Institution under review. The invoice will be generated at the end of the accreditation review process, regardless of the outcome of the review.
Accreditation Monitoring of Programmes	Cost recovery
Direct professional fees, travel, accommodation and other costs for site evaluation team members together with Council administration expenses for teleconference meetings, printing and postage etc., will be charged to the Educational Institution for the monitoring of conditions placed on programmes, based on actual costs incurred. Dental Council staff administrative overheads incurred throughout the accreditation monitoring process will also be charged to the Educational Institution. The invoice will be generated at the end of the monitoring period, but at least annually if monitoring spans multiple financial years.
Application for “removal of exclusion” course approval by providers who do provide training as part of a primary Dental Council accredited qualification ⁴	2,371.00
Application for “removal of exclusion” course approval by providers who do not provide training as part of a primary Dental Council accredited qualification ⁴	5,138.00
Application for approval of courses to equip registered oral health practitioners for registration in an additional scope of practice, for course providers who do provide training as part of a primary Dental Council accredited qualification ⁴	4,610.00
Application for approval of courses to equip registered oral health practitioners for registration in an additional scope of practice, for course providers who do not provide training as part of a primary Dental Council accredited qualification ⁴	8,073.00

Annotation of Notes

1. Fee will be adjusted for any specific requirements of the individual programme and third-party costings at the time the programme is established.

2. The practitioner will be charged direct professional fees and travel and accommodation expenses for supervisors, those providing oversight, tutors, course administrators etc. These expenses will be charged on an actual and reasonable basis in accordance with the Dental Council’s fees and payments and expenditure decisions and probity policies. Course materials, venue costs and administration expenses such as printing, and postage will also be charged based on actual costs.

Competence programme/Recertification programme/Supervision:

For a practitioner who is:

required to undertake a competence programme set or recognised by the Council under section 40 of the Act;
required to undertake an individual recertification programme set or recognised by the Council under section 41 of the Act; or
the subject of a condition included in the practitioner’s scope of practice requiring the practitioner to practise subject to the supervision of one or more nominated health practitioners or health practitioners of a stated class.

The fees payable will be an amount that is sufficient to reimburse the Council for all costs and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Council in relation to the competence programme, recertification programme or supervision that applies to the practitioner. Such costs and expenses may include, without limitation:

fees for service providers engaged by the Council in relation to the programme/supervision;
travel, accommodation, and travel-related costs incurred in connection with site visits;
administration expenses for Council administration, teleconference meetings, printing, postage, and communications.

Fees payable will be adjusted for the specific requirements of the individual programme or supervision and can range depending on the level of education required or the duration of supervision required to bring a practitioner up to the required standard.

3. The practitioner will be charged for staff administrative overheads at $95.00 an hour.

4. Not applicable for accreditation of adult restorative programmes.

Explanatory Note

This notice updates the Dental Council fee schedule with effect from 27 February 2025. The changes consist of:

The changes in fees and levies were consulted on with dentists and dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic auxiliaries, oral health therapists, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians and other stakeholders from September 2024 to October 2024. Following the close of the consultation period on 17 October 2024, the 2025/26 fees and levies were approved by the Dental Council at its meeting on 4 November 2024.
Except as described above, no other changes have been made to fees as previously published in ‘Oral Health Practitioners (Fees) Notice 2024 (No. 1)’, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2024, Notice No. 2024-sl348.