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.
I’m just a regular 13 year old girl and I have an over bites and I want braces but I would pay because I don’t have money so can u help me
Hello I’m looking to get braces and can’t afford them I need them really bad and my teeth are getting worse I am on the waiting list
I’m just enquiring about braces I’m a mother of 2 on centerlink and want braces but can’t afford them.
My son has been on a waiting list for 2 years. His disability is Down Syndrome he has a very narrow mouth. We were told he would need work done. But my problem now is he has turn 18 has his own pension card. Is he still eligible for free dental as he is classified as an Adult
As much as I’ll love for my daughter to have better teeth I a single mother meant to afford 5/8k
I’ve taken her to a private dentist witch they have said she would need braces then took her to the government one where they said she has to go privately due to her teeth are OK but would benefit from them
The government system is a joke.. and no help what so ever as a mother I feel hopeless
How do you choice which patient is given free braces from the orthodontist waiting list ?
My son is on the list with waiting times of 4-6 years and his the highest category
My daughter has recently visited a private dentist as I could not get her in to see a government or public dentist as the waiting list was too long . I was told that she would need braces for her teeth and that the government subsity would not cover the costs . I am a low income earner and have a health care card and prices for braces are way out of my price range here in Queensland . A friend referred me to you in the hopes that you could help.
My daughter has a severe overbite and I am on the disability pension as such it is very hard to be able to afford braces .My daughter experiences bullying at school because of her overbite .We live in Canberra and our state does not offer public health orthodontist. Please consider her for a reduction in cost .
I just want to know if you still free
The contact details for ACT are incorrect, the government dental program does not offer this service at all.
Hi my daughter is been to Westmead hospital several time for treatment but now they say she need braces but been to napean hospital also but they say she made be aligible for free braces but we hane been waiting for a phone call but no one have been in contact with us if possible pl tel me what to do noe she got no treatment at all
Hey, just wondering… i got told by my dentist, that I have a serve 10mm over bite. My over bite affects the way I talk and chew. Do you think I’m able to qualify? My mum has my Medicare card and I’m too on the waiting list cause braces are very expensive!
It would be great if you can reply thanks ☺️
is this facility available in Tasmania?
My son has been on the wauting list since Dec of 2015 – I just called the dental hospital only to be told that there is still at least 1-2 year wait.
This is what I was told in the beginning.
My son was initially placed on the list when he was in yr 7, so 12 yrs of age – the local community dental health centre completed the paper work there , when i went back 12 momths later for his check up the dentist had told me whoopzie sorry I forgot.
I then finally got an appt in the main dental hospital when I was told he is now on priority waiting list and it wil be 1-2 years. My boy was happy because in his little mind they would be on in his yr 10 formal pics but off by the time he finishes school…
My son now has 1 term left of high school and here I am still wondering where I stand !
Every time I talk to someone they tell me the same time amount of waiting and yet 2012 has jumped to 2015, to 2016 to now. Its crazy.
I think gov employees should be honest when you’re honestly wanting to know so you can weigh up your options fairly.
I was just told now by the dental hospital nsw that “Give us a smile ” takes in 1 child annually.
There went my excitement out the door.
If I had of know all of this back in 2012 I would of got private health with extras only and did it thst way. My son is 18 come August and my options have decreased . I’m kick g myself for believing anything nswgov employees say.
It sucks being low income hard working mum in this country it really does.
Hi my daughter is on the dental wait list ( we have been for over 6mths now) she has a health care card. She saw the school dental van last week and they said her over but it a Category 2. We live on the Sunshine Coast. Please tell me what I need to do to help her. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you
Rachael