If you are passionate about health, food and helping people feel the best, then chances are you might have considered a career in nutrition and dietetics. Unlike the title “nutritionist”, dietitian is a carefully regulated profession, with a clear study pathway and strong career outcomes.

This guide walks you through what dietitians do, how to become one in Australia, and how studying nutrition and dietetics at the University of Canberra (UC) can help you get there.

What does a dietitian do?

Dietitians are qualified health professionals who help people understand how food affects their health and how to use nutrition to support, manage or prevent health conditions.

Depending on where they work, dietitians may:

• provide personalised nutrition advice
• support people with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or gut disorders
• work in hospitals, community health or aged care settings
• develop public health programs and nutrition policies
• work in research, education or private practice.

At its core, dietetics is about using nutrition knowledge to make a real, practical difference to people’s lives.

The difference between a dietitian and nutritionist?

While a nutritionist covers many of the same areas as a dietitian, such as promoting healthy eating and general nutrition advice, the two differ in important ways. In Australia, dietitians are much more regulated than nutritionists. Meaning:

• dietitians must complete an accredited qualification
• they are recognised by Dietitians Australia
• they can work clinically and provide medical nutrition therapy
• are qualified to work clinically and provide medical nutrition therapy.

While “nutritionist” is not a regulated title, dietitians are qualified to work across clinical, community and public health settings, making it a popular choice for those looking for professional recognition and long-term career flexibility.

So how do I become a qualified dietitian?

Step 1: Complete a relevant undergraduate degree.

The first step is completing a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition that includes units in chemistry, biology and human physiology, biochemistry and food and nutrition science. UC’s Bachelor of Human Nutrition is the perfect starting point if you plan to go into dietetics as it provides a strong foundation in nutrition science, chemistry, human biology and biochemistry.

Step 2: Study an accredited Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.

To be able to register as a dietitian, you’ll need to complete an accredited Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.

UC’s Master of Nutrition and Dietetics is accredited by Dietitians Australia and designed to prepare you for real-world practice by combining theory with extensive hands-on experience. The course includes 20 weeks of work experience, with an additional 4-week internship to help broaden networks and explore employment opportunities at the same time. This practical focus helps graduates feel confident and job-ready when they enter the workforce.

Step 3: Apply for Membership with Dietitians Australia

Once you’ve completed an accredited qualification, you can apply for membership with Dietitians Australia and start your career as an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).

Ready to get started?

A career in dietetics offers the chance to make a real difference through food and health and UC’s Nutrition and Dietetics courses offers a supportive, practical pathway to get you there. If you’re unsure which pathway is right for you, UC’s Future Students team is here to help. They can talk you through your study options, entry requirements and next steps, so you can move forward with confidence.

 

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