How to Get FREE Braces in Australia: The No Cost Option for Braces

This article is a detailed guide to all the different ways to get free braces in Australia.

Did you know that some families can access FREE braces for their kids teeth? This little known, free option will mean that the question ‘how much do braces cost?’ will not be one your family may need to ask. We investigated and found out how to get free braces for low income families in Australia.

In brief you can get free braces:

• Through the Give A Smile Program if you meet their criteria.

Keep reading to find out how this might work in practice for your family.

What are braces?

Braces are a common orthodontic treatment that can have many benefits for individuals who have crooked or misaligned teeth. They work by applying steady pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position.

The benefits of braces include:

Improved oral health: Braces can help to straighten teeth and improve bite, which can make it easier to clean teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Enhanced appearance: Braces can improve the overall appearance of the teeth, giving patients a more attractive and confident smile.

Increased self-esteem: Many people who have braces report a boost in self-esteem, as they feel more confident in their appearance.

Better functioning teeth: Braces can correct bite issues and improve the overall function of the teeth, making it easier to chew and speak.

Long-term solution: Once the treatment is completed, the results are typically permanent, so patients can enjoy their straight teeth for the rest of their lives.

In addition, with the advancements in technology, braces are now more comfortable and less noticeable than ever before. Many orthodontists now offer clear or ceramic braces, and other options like lingual braces which are placed behind the teeth, and Invisalign, a clear aligner that is almost invisible. This makes the dental treatment more accessible and appealing to a wider range of patients.

How much do braces normally cost in Australia?

If you want to know how much are braces in Australia, it is important to understand that the cost of braces can vary greatly and it depends on a variety of factors! You will need to think about which type of braces you want. You can choose from Metal, Ceramic, Lingual and Invisalign.

How much are braces in Australia?

Let’s look at what it would cost for braces if you were planning on paying for braces in Australia:

• Metal braces (traditional braces – top and bottom teeth): $4,500 to $8,000
• Ceramic braces (top and bottom teeth): $5,000 – $8,500
• Lingual braces (top and bottom teeth): $7,500 – $12,500
• Invisalign : $4,500 – $9,000

The sad fact is that prices can depend on where you live – orthodontists in more rural areas may be less expensive than ones in larger cities – and prices may be at the orthodontist’s discretion.

If you are wondering ‘how much do braces cost with a healthcare card’, you might be happy to find out that there is a way to get free braces for low income families in Australia.

Give a Smile™ – how to get FREE braces in Australia

In Australia there is an organisation called ‘Give a Smile’™ that offers free braces to lower income families across the country. Each Give a Smile™ orthodontist welcomes at least one patient per year into his/her practice to receive free braces. All work undertaken for every Give a Smile™ patient is done pro-bono (free) and with the highest level of care and professionalism.

To this day, the Give a Smile™ Committee runs the program with the invaluable help of a willing team of volunteers, generous supporters and, of course, the many Give a Smile™ orthodontists throughout Australia. Give a Smile™ will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025.

Eligibility for free braces:

1. You need to be a Health Care Card holder or Pension Card holder.

2. You or your child must already be on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the public dental service of the state or territory where you live. Contact details can be found below.

NOTE: Patients are allocated to Give a Smile™ from the top of the public orthodontic waiting list.

• You have the choice of having the treatment done either through the Give a Smile™ program or in the public dental health system.
• Should you accept the offer of treatment through Give a Smile it will be performed by a specialist orthodontist in his/her office.
• If you live in SA, WA or Victoria, your state health department requires you to pay a fee (co-payment) for your orthodontic treatment.
• If you live in SA, WA or Victoria – and if you accept treatment through Give a Smile™ – the relevant co-payment must still be paid. However the payment is made to the Give a Smile™ Trust (details will be supplied).

How to get on the public waiting list for orthodontic treatment

Remember to gain access to free braces, you must be Health Care Card holder or Pension Card holder AND you must be on the public waiting list for orthodontic treatment. To do this you need to contact your relevant state and territory dental health service for further information. These waiting lists can vary in length and can be 2 years or longer, so get started now!

ACT

Dental Health Program
GPO Box 825
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel 02 6205 1088

NSW

Department of Orthodontics
Sydney Dental Hospital
Tel 02 9293 3388/89

NT

Oral Health Services NT
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
Tel 08 8924 6470

QLD

Oral Health Unit
GPO Box 2368
Brisbane QLD 4001
Tel 07 3328 9873

SA

SA Dental Services
Frome Rd
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel 08 8222 8276

VIC

Dental Health Services Victoria
720 Swanston St
Carlton VIC 3053
Tel 03 9341 1000

WA

The Oral Health Centre WA
17 Monash Avenue
NEDLANDS WA 6009
Tel 08 6457 4400

More benefits of braces

Overall, the decision to get braces is your own. There are many benefits of getting braces. They can help prevent future gum disease and damage to teeth. They can straighten teeth, close gaps in teeth, and better space out teeth, all resulting in a more confident smile.

Straight teeth help an individual more effectively bite, chew, and even speak. They can help prevent future discomfort and weakness due to misalignment of teeth or bite. They can also make you feel better about both your oral health and your appearance.

How to tell if your child needs braces?

Your child’s big front teeth have just come through and as they’ve been growing, you’re watching and wondering… will my child need braces? If this sounds like you, you probably have a million questions about when to start the process, how much it costs, how long the braces will be on for… just to name a few. We personally checked out the process of getting braces in Brisbane and wrote a review (with video) here.

What a great way to save on the cost of living.