ADC Exam Fees 2026: Part 1 and Part 2 Costs in Full
The ADC Part 1 exam fees are a serious financial commitment, and the written exam is where most overseas-trained dentists first feel it. Here's the honest, 2026 breakdown of every ADC cost - application fees, exam fees, preparation costs and what the total really adds up to.
For the full breakdown of official ADC fees, resit costs and how to judge prep, read What the ADC exam really costs in 2026.
ADC Part 1 exam fees: the two unavoidable costs
| Fee | Approx. cost (AUD) | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment of qualifications | ~$647 | Before you can apply for the exam |
| ADC written exam application fee | $2,122 per attempt | When you apply for a testing window |
| Practical exam (Part 2) | $4,775 per attempt | After you pass the written exam |
Both fees are set and periodically updated by the Australian Dental Council - always confirm the current amounts at adc.org.au before you plan your budget. The exam fee applies per attempt, so failing once effectively doubles the ADC exam cost. In real terms, the cheapest ADC Part 1 exam is the one you only sit once.
ADC Part 2 (practical exam) fees
Practical examination application: AUD $4,775 per attempt. Application for review of a result: AUD $1,008. Independent appeal committee: AUD $5,305. Source: ADC fees.
ADC Part 1 exam fees in USD, GBP, INR and PKR
Approximate conversions at recent exchange rates (check xe.com for live rates):
| Currency | Initial assessment (~AUD $647) | Written exam fee (AUD $2,122) |
|---|---|---|
| US Dollar (USD) | ~$330 | ~$1,380 |
| Pound Sterling (GBP) | ~£260 | ~£1,090 |
| Euro (EUR) | ~€305 | ~€1,280 |
| Indian Rupee (INR) | ~₹35,500 | ~₹115,000 |
| Pakistani Rupee (PKR) | ~Rs 119,000 | ~Rs 385,000 |
| UAE Dirham (AED) | ~AED 1,210 | ~AED 5,080 |
These are indicative conversions only. FX rates move daily, and the ADC bills in AUD - your bank's rate on payment day is what actually applies.
ADC Part 1 preparation cost: the optional cost everyone argues about
Roughly two tiers of ADC Part 1 preparation exist:
| Prep option | Typical cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Pure self-study | ~$0–$300 | Textbooks, scattered PDFs, recalled-question files. Cheapest upfront but unstructured - and recalled files are frequently inaccurate. |
| Self-paced platforms | AUD $19/month or the $89 March 2027 Pass (one-time, valid to 31 March 2027) | Structured question bank, lessons and full mocks. Start immediately, cancel anytime. PassADC sits here. |
The math that matters: total cost to pass ADC Part 1
Here's what the total ADC Part 1 cost actually looks like across two realistic scenarios:
| Scenario | Prep | Attempts | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured prep, pass first attempt | ~$400 | 1 | ~$3,150 |
| Self-study only, fail once, pass second | ~$100 | 2 | ~$5,000 |
The $89 March 2027 Pass (one-time, valid to 31 March 2027) costs less than 10% of a single failed ADC exam attempt (AUD $2,122). If structured practice, full-length simulations and weak-area targeting meaningfully improve your first-attempt odds, the prep pays for itself many times over - before you even count the emotional and career cost of waiting months for another sitting.
How to reduce ADC Part 1 costs (without hurting your chances)
- Start with a free readiness check before spending anything on prep. Know where you actually stand across every discipline in the ADC blueprint - a free ADC diagnostic takes 30 questions.
- Choose self-paced prep if a fixed course calendar doesn't suit you. Self-paced platforms typically deliver the same MCQs, lessons and mocks at a fraction of the price, on your timeline.
- Sit at least one full-length timed mock before booking the real exam. A failed exam costs AUD $2,122; a failed mock costs 4 hours.
- Book your ADC exam window only when you're consistently scoring at readiness level - not before. Every avoided resit is $2,122 back in your pocket.
Related ADC Part 1 guides
See the real ADC Part 1 pass rate and what separates first-attempt passers, or read how to pass ADC Part 1 first time. Understand the exam itself in our ADC Part 1 format guide, plan the next 8 weeks with the ADC Part 1 study plan, or dive into any subject-by-subject guide to master the high-weight topics first. Country-specific cost breakdowns: India (₹) · Pakistan (PKR).
For the full breakdown of official ADC fees, resit costs and how to judge prep, read What the ADC exam really costs in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ADC Part 1 exam cost in 2026?
The ADC Part 1 written exam application fee is AUD $2,122 per attempt in 2026, on top of a separate initial assessment of qualifications fee of roughly AUD $647. Always confirm current fees on adc.org.au before applying.
What is the ADC initial assessment fee?
The ADC initial assessment of overseas dental qualifications is a separate fee, typically several hundred Australian dollars, paid before you can apply to sit the written exam. It reviews your primary dental degree and eligibility.
How much is the ADC Part 1 exam fee per attempt?
AUD $2,122 per attempt (adc.org.au, 2026). Because the fee applies per attempt, failing once effectively doubles your exam cost - which is why first-attempt preparation is so important.
What is the total cost to pass ADC Part 1?
Most candidates pay the initial assessment ($647) and the written exam fee ($2,122), plus whatever they spend on preparation and any resit. Prep can range from free self-study to paid courses, so check what each one actually includes before you pay.
How much does ADC Part 1 cost in USD, GBP, INR and PKR?
At current exchange rates, AUD $2,122 is approximately US$1,380, £1,090, ₹115,000, and Rs 385,000. Rates fluctuate daily - check xe.com on the day you pay the ADC in AUD.
Is the ADC Part 1 exam fee refundable?
The ADC written exam application fee is generally non-refundable once you have applied and been allocated a testing window. Postponement policies exist but usually incur fees - always read the current ADC candidate handbook.
How can I reduce the cost of preparing for ADC Part 1?
Free options include the PassADC free tier (lessons covering every ADC subject, 10 MCQs a day, 1 full Readiness Trial). Paid PassADC options are $19/month or the $89 March 2027 Pass (one-time, valid to 31 March 2027).
Where do you actually stand?
30 questions weighted to the official ADC blueprint. Free, instant, no credit card.
Keep reading
What is the ADC Part 1 Exam? Format, Pass Rate, Fees & Subjects (2026 Guide)
ADC Part 1 written exam explained for overseas-trained dentists: 280 questions over 2 days, official 12% pass rate (2024-25), AUD $2,122 fee, the 13-discipline blueprint - and how to prepare in 2026.
An 8-Week ADC Part 1 Study Plan That Actually Works
A week-by-week ADC written exam study plan for working dentists: diagnose weaknesses, master high-weight subjects, and rehearse full exam days.
ADC Written Exam Pass Rate: Official ADC Results 2023-24 and 2024-25
Official ADC written examination pass rates from the ADC Annual Report: 41% in 2023-24 and 12% in 2024-25 (all candidates). What the numbers mean, what they don't, and how to prepare.
PassADC is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Australian Dental Council. Exam details change - always confirm current format and fees at adc.org.au.