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Dentist jobs and cost of living in Cairns, QLD
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest, with warm winters and a hot, humid wet season.
What is left over in Cairns?
Using the national median dentist income (A$131,588 at five days), tax, rent sized to the household and our living cost assumptions. It ranks 9 of 16 places for a single dentist.
| Household | Left over a year | A month |
|---|---|---|
| Just you | A$45,185 | A$3,765 |
| You and a partner earning A$40k (illustrative) | A$64,540 | A$5,378 |
| Couple and one child, partner earning A$40k, temporary visa, 5 days of childcare | A$20,020 | A$1,668 |
Is Cairns short of dentists?
Outer regional areas: about 39 dentists per 100,000 people. Fewer dentists per person. A 2026 federal modelling report describes the dental workforce challenge as mainly one of distribution: dentists are concentrated in cities, while regional and remote areas have fewer per person. That is a general signal, not a promise of work in Cairns. See the Dental Practitioner Supply and Demand Compendium (April 2026) and a 2026 summary of the AIHW figures.
Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Cairns?
Our figure is about A$625 a week for a typical home (Reported city median (earlier report), 2025 to 2026). It is graded C for confidence. A one-bedroom is usually cheaper and a family home more.
Is Cairns a regional area for visas?
Under the common reading of the 491 visa definition (everywhere except Greater Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane), Cairns counts as regional. Check the official Home Affairs postcode list before relying on this.
What is the weather like in Cairns?
Roughly 32°C on an average January day and 26°C on an average July day (rounded long-term averages; check the Bureau of Meteorology for exact figures). Remember January is summer in Australia.
Are dentists needed in Cairns?
Outer regional areas: about 39 dentists per 100,000 people. Fewer dentists per person. Federal modelling suggests the shortage is mostly about where dentists work rather than how many there are. This is a general signal, not a job listing for Cairns.
How far is Cairns from the nearest capital?
Cairns is about 1,700 km by road from Brisbane, the nearest capital.
Compare with similar places
Practise ADC Part 2 style stations out loud with an AI patient.
General information only, not financial, tax, visa or migration advice. Figures are indicative and change. OSCE Coach is operated by SQH Technologies and is not affiliated with the Australian Dental Council.