Public Service Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
South Australia Public Service
| Classification | Range | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
DO-1 Dental officer roles | $117,985Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $143,772Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
DO-2 Senior dental officer roles | $153,145Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $168,778Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
DO-3 Principal dental officer roles | $182,953Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $189,056Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
DO-4 Senior principal dental officer roles | $209,297Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $209,297Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
DO-5 Deputy chief dental officer roles | $223,162Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $223,162Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
DO-6 Chief dental officer roles | $237,666Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $237,666Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ |
Notes
- ·Rates are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2025, under the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026, approved by the South Australian Employment Tribunal on 4 March 2026.
- ·Further increases are scheduled from 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027 under the same agreement.
- ·ASO Level 1 rates shown are adult rates only.
- ·MAS 3 is closed to new appointments following SAET approval on 4 March 2026; existing MAS 3 employees retain their classification.
- ·Dental Officers and Grant Funded Scientists are specialist streams covered by separate schedules within this agreement.
Salary Snapshot
SA Dental Officers salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$117,985
DO-1
Top salary
$237,666
DO-6
Midpoint band
$209,297
DO-4
Classifications
6
Dental Officers stream
Classification range ladder
Min to max salary within the currently selected jurisdiction and stream
DO-1
Dental officer roles
DO-2
Senior dental officer roles
DO-3
Principal dental officer roles
DO-4
Senior principal dental officer roles
DO-5
Deputy chief dental officer roles
DO-6
Chief dental officer roles
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The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.
Dental Officers — South Australia
The Dental Officer stream covers qualified dental professionals employed in SA Government dental services. Classifications range from DO-1 for graduate-entry dentists through to DO-6 for Chief Dental Officers. Rates are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2025 under the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026.
Source: SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026
Other SA Classification Streams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DO-1 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-1 earns $117,985 to $143,772 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $88,000–$105,000 per year. This classification covers dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the DO-2 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-2 earns $153,145 to $168,778 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $110,000–$119,000 per year. This classification covers senior dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the DO-3 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-3 earns $182,953 to $189,056 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $128,000–$131,000 per year. This classification covers principal dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the DO-4 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-4 earns $209,297 to $209,297 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $142,000–$142,000 per year. This classification covers senior principal dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the DO-5 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-5 earns $223,162 to $223,162 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $149,000–$149,000 per year. This classification covers deputy chief dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the DO-6 salary?
A Dental Officers DO-6 earns $237,666 to $237,666 per year as set by the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2026. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $156,000–$156,000 per year. This classification covers chief dental officer roles. SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the starting salary for a government dentist in South Australia?
A newly registered dentist entering at DO-1 earns $117,985 per year (Increment 1), rising to $143,772 by Increment 5. Most graduates enter at DO-1 Increment 1, with annual progression through the pay points.
What does a Chief Dental Officer earn in SA?
The DO-6 classification (Chief Dental Officer) carries a flat rate of $237,666 per year, while the Deputy Chief (DO-5) earns $223,162. These are among the highest classifications in the SA public sector.
How does SA Dental Officer pay compare to private practice?
SA Government Dental Officers earn $117,985–$237,666 depending on classification. Government roles offer the security of an enterprise agreement, access to defined-benefit superannuation schemes, and structured career progression — benefits not always available in private practice.