Dental Practice Staff Handbook 2026

A complete, professionally written staff handbook for Australian dental practices — 47 pages covering every employment policy your team needs, from their first day to their last. Version 3, updated April 2026 to comply with all current Australian employment law changes.

Hand this to every new team member on day one. It sets expectations, communicates entitlements, establishes your policies, and protects the practice. A staff handbook is not optional — it is the foundation of a professionally managed workplace.

⚠ This handbook is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Before issuing to staff, have it reviewed by a qualified employment lawyer or HR professional to ensure it is appropriate for your specific circumstances, applicable Modern Award, and state or territory jurisdiction.

✔ Fully editable Microsoft Word format
✔ 47 pages — complete staff handbook
✔ Version 3 — updated April 2026 for all current employment law changes
✔ Instant digital download
✔ Single-practice licence

2026 Updates Included in Version 3:
• Right to Disconnect — new NES entitlement from 26 August 2025, with a dedicated policy section
• Casual Conversion for small business — new rights from 26 August 2025
• Payday Super — superannuation paid with every pay run from 1 July 2026
• Government Paid Parental Leave increased to 26 weeks from 1 July 2026
• 4 weeks PPL reserved per parent — use-it-or-lose-it from 1 July 2026
• Baby Priya's Law — PPL cannot be withdrawn on stillbirth or infant death from 7 November 2025
• Leave summary table rebuilt with current NES entitlements

What's Included:

Welcome & Introduction
Practice welcome message, handbook purpose, equal opportunity commitment, and NES overview — including the updated list with Right to Disconnect.

Employment Fundamentals
Privacy and personal information, induction, probationary period, dress code, conduct standards, computer use, personal mobile phone policy, and secondary employment policy.

Pay, Hours & Benefits
Pay and payroll, Payday Super (from 1 July 2026), hours of work and timekeeping, overtime, public holidays, and expenses reimbursement.

Flexible Working & Right to Disconnect
Flexible working arrangements (Fair Work Act 2009 eligibility and process), and a dedicated Right to Disconnect section — covering what it means, when refusal is unreasonable, what it means for Practice Managers, genuine emergencies, and the practice's commitment.

Casual Employment & Conversion
What is a casual employee, casual entitlements table, right to request conversion, making and responding to a request, reasonable grounds for refusal, and employer-initiated conversion.

Recruitment, Training & Development
Recruitment policy, remuneration, promotion, personnel records, induction, training and development, external training, self-development, and study assistance policy.

Leave Entitlements
Annual leave, personal and carer's leave, compassionate leave, parental leave (including updated government PPL to 26 weeks and Baby Priya's Law), family and domestic violence leave (10 days paid), community service leave, long service leave, and public holidays — all updated for current NES.

Performance Management & Disciplinary Procedures
Performance review process, informal counselling, verbal warning, first written warning, final written warning, and termination — with examples of misconduct and gross misconduct.

Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination
Definitions of unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and workplace bullying — with examples, informal and formal complaint procedures, investigation process, possible outcomes, confidentiality, and victimisation protections.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing
WHS obligations, hazard reporting, right to stop unsafe work, and mental health and wellbeing commitment.

Resignation & Termination
Notice requirements, final pay obligations, return of property, and reference policy.

Employee Acknowledgement
Sign-off page for the employee to confirm they have received, read, and understood the handbook — for filing in their personnel file.