Dental services for people seeking asylum seekers
All refugees and people seeking asylum have free access to public dental services. Refugees and people seeking asylum can get treatment via:
- local community dental clinics in community health services
- the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne
- rural and regional hospitals.
What will dental treatment cost?
There is no cost for refugees and people seek asylum. You are fee exempt. This includes:
- emergency dental care
- general dental care
- denture care
- specialist care.
Learn more about the cost of dental treatment
Will I be on a waiting list?
There are no waiting lists for refugee or asylum seekers. You will get the next available appointment.
Note: There is a high demand for specialist dental care you may have to wait some months for an appointment.
If you need a telephone interpreting services call TIS National Services by calling 131 450. Learn more about language Interpreter services
Who classifies as a refugee or a person seeking asylum?
A refugee is person who
- is outside their country of origin
- has left their country of origin because of fear of persecution, due to race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
A person seeking asylum is a person
- who has applied to the Australian Government for recognition as a refugee; and
- is waiting to have their claim assessed.
How can I prove I am a refugee or a person seeking asylum?
When you have an appointment, you need to bring identification. Documents you could bring to show you are a refugee or a person seeking asylum are:
- Evidence of immigration status card ImmiCard
- PTV Asylum Seeker ID
- SRSS payment card
- Protection visa application letter
- Judicial review - re-application for BVE letter
- International Health and Services (IHMS) card
- letter from a support provider from a health provider; charity or lawyer
- Interim Medicare card.
Information for professionals
Refugee oral health Fact Sheet 1 - Identifying clients of refugee & asylum seeker background
Refugee oral health Fact Sheet 2 - Working with refugee and asylum seeker clients
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Oral Health Recall Tool
Find out about other refugee and people seeking asylum's health and wellbeing services.
Learn more about asylum seeker access policies to health
Guide to people seeking asylum's access to health and community services in Victoria
