Owning a dental practice is a major milestone for many clinicians—and an emerging opportunity for business-minded investors. But one key question continues to arise: Can anyone own a dental practice in Australia?
The short answer is yes—any Australian citizen, including those without dental qualifications, can legally own a dental practice. However, there are strict boundaries in place to separate business ownership from clinical responsibility. Understanding these distinctions is critical for staying compliant and building a successful practice.
This guide explains who can legally own a dental practice in Australia, how to structure ownership, and what non-dentist owners need to know to run a compliant, patient-centred clinic.
Legal Ownership vs. Clinical Control
In Australia, it’s essential to distinguish between owning the business and delivering dental care. While anyone can own the business side of a dental practice, only registered dental professionals are permitted to treat patients and make clinical decisions.
This separation is backed by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, enforced by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Dental Board of Australia. The legislation ensures that non-clinical owners cannot influence or direct clinical care, even if they legally own the practice.
As a result, many non-clinical owners establish service entities or corporate structures that manage non-clinical functions such as leasing, administration, staffing, and marketing, leaving patient care strictly in the hands of qualified dental practitioners.
Who Can and Can’t Own a Practice?
The deregulation of ownership laws (finalised nationally in 2010–2011) removed restrictions that previously limited dental practice ownership to registered dentists. Today, ownership is open to a range of individuals and entities:
Who Can Own:
- Registered dentists or dental specialists
- Associate dentists starting their first practice
- Non-clinical investors (e.g. family members or business partners)
- Corporate entities, including healthcare investment firms
- Practice managers entering into equity partnerships
Who Can’t Influence Care
- Non-registered owners or directors
- Administrative or marketing staff
- External consultants without clinical qualifications
Even though ownership is open, non-clinical individuals are legally prohibited from influencing treatment plans, clinical protocols, or patient care decisions. If they do, AHPRA may investigate the practitioners involved, and disciplinary action may follow.
Ownership Models That Work
Whether you’re a clinician or investor, choosing the right ownership structure is essential for regulatory compliance and long-term success. Here are the most common models used in Australia:
1. Sole Trader (Dentist-Owned)
Ideal for first-time clinic owners. Simple to manage but places all legal and financial risk on the dentist.
2. Partnership
Often used between two or more dentists or between a dentist and a non-clinical investor. Partners share ownership, profit, and liability.
3. Company-Owned Structure
A company (Pty Ltd) owns the clinic and can have both clinical and non-clinical shareholders. This model offers greater flexibility and risk management but must clearly delineate clinical responsibility.
4. Service Entity Model
Common in corporate dentistry and franchise-style practices. A non-clinical entity owns the infrastructure (property, staff, admin) and charges a service fee to dentists, who operate as independent contractors. Dentists retain full control of clinical decisions.
Tip: No matter the model, always consult a healthcare-specialised legal advisor in your state to ensure your structure is compliant.
What Non-Dentists Need to Know Before Investing
If you’re a non-dentist exploring practice ownership, it’s crucial to understand that you are entering a regulated healthcare environment where clinical autonomy takes precedence over commercial interest.
Here are key legal and operational takeaways:
- You cannot perform or direct dental treatment unless you are registered with AHPRA.
- Hiring qualified dental professionals is essential—only they may provide clinical care.
- You may not influence treatment recommendations, even indirectly (e.g. through KPIs that compromise patient care).
- Non-compliance may lead to reputational damage, legal consequences, and regulatory scrutiny.
Successful non-dentist owners operate behind the scenes, supporting their dental team through excellent administration, marketing, and business leadership—while respecting the professional independence of clinicians.
Financial and Operational Considerations
Dental practices are capital-intensive businesses with specific compliance needs. Whether you’re a clinician or investor, consider:
- High startup costs, including property lease, dental chairs, fitout, and equipment
- Ongoing regulatory compliance, such as infection control, radiation licensing, and workplace health & safety
- Privacy and patient data laws, including the Privacy Act and state-based health records legislation
- Team structure and culture, especially when clinical and non-clinical staff work closely together
A compliant and efficient practice balances patient care, profitability, and regulatory expectations. That’s why many new owners consult experienced advisors in healthcare law, finance, and clinic operations.
Building a Compliant, Patient-Centred Practice
Once your ownership model is in place, the next challenge is building or upgrading your space. A well-designed dental clinic isn’t just compliant. It needs to be functional, future-ready and tailored to your operational needs. From patient experience to clinical workflow, every detail should support efficiency and compliance.
This is where the right construction partner makes a difference.
Design Your Dental Practice with RiteSpace Construction
So, can anyone own a dental practice in Australia? Yes, if the structure supports clinical autonomy and complies with the law.
At RiteSpace Construction, we help both clinical and non-clinical owners build high-performing, regulation-ready clinics. Our team brings extensive experience in healthcare design, compliance and construction, delivering spaces that work from day one.
Explore our recent projects to see what we’ve delivered across Australia, or download our free eBook for practical guidance and the latest design trends.
Book a no-obligation consultation with our team, and let’s bring your clinic vision to life—without the stress.
