Studying Nutrition in Australia

Studying Nutrition

Nutrition Australia receives many enquiries from people who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of nutrition. Many universities across Australia offer courses in nutrition or nutrition and dietetics. There is often confusion about which course of study will best ‘fit’ with the career path a person is hoping to pursue. Below is listed some important information that might help in making the decision about which course to choose.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
The term ‘Nutritionist’ can refer to a public health, community health, food industry, research, or clinical nutritionist. A clinical nutritionist role would see you treating a client’s health issues through a face-to-face consultation where you discuss the dietary changes that your individual client would need to make. Public health and community nutritionists work in a variety of settings in government and non-government organisations and work to deliver nutrition messages to different population groups. Their role is often one of primary health prevention.

Dietitians are trained to work in the clinical setting and currently it is their qualification which allows you to work as a dietitian in a hospital or private practice setting – or as a community dietitian. Clinical nutritionists and dietitians do similar work but work from a different paradigm – with clinical nutritionists coming more from a ‘nutrient’ perspective and dietitians are more involved in using food and changes to lifestyle in very practical and liveable ways for their clients. – both work with the aim of helping clients look after their health through nutrition. Dietitians might also work with food industry or in research.

Clients of accredited practising dietitians can obtain rebates for dietetic services from both Medicare (only in a limited way) and most health insurance funds, depending on a client’s level of health insurance cover. Nutritionist services are not rebated through Medicare and only in a limited way by health insurance funds.

How do I become registered as a dietitian or nutritionist?

The term ‘Accredited Practising Dietitian’(APD) is increasingly being recognised as the credential needed to work one to one with people in nutrition/dietetic education. To qualify for this credential you need to be a member of the Dietitians’ Association of Australia (DAA) and to participate in their continuing education program to achieve APD status. To be maintained, this status has to be reviewed and renewed annually. For more information visit the DAA website: www.daa.asn.au .
There are now accreditation qualifications for nutritionists through both the DAA (Accredited Nutritionist) and the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) (registered nutritionist). For more information about obtaining these credentials please contact the relevant organisation:

Dietitians’ Association of Australia (DAA)
Ph : +61 2 6163 5200 Fax: +61 2 6282 9888 Email: nationaloffice@daa.asn.au
www.daa.asn.au

Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA)
Ph: +61 8 8363 1307 Fax: +61 8 8363 1307 Email: nsa@fccconventions.com.au
www.nsa.asn.au