How to become a nutritionist in Australia – what qualifications do I need?
‘We are not trying to take the place of university nutrition courses. If you want to become a nutritionist or dietitian your best option is a degree at an Australian University. We offer a range of flexible, high-quality nutrition courses for personal and professional development. Professional membership and insurance options to provide nutritional advice are available.’
Kristen Beck (M.Hum.Nut., B.H.Sc).
Beck Health & Nutrition offers high-quality, flexible, online nutrition and health coach courses that give you the option to gain professional membership and insurance to provide nutritional advice and Health & Nutrition Coaching. Our courses are also accredited by industry bodies and organisations for professional development.
Who can call themselves a nutritionist?
Loads of Australian and international colleges and course providers promise to qualify you as a ‘professional nutritionist’ without also explaining that the term ‘nutritionist’ can be used by anyone without any level of study at all (we do not recommend this). Many ‘nutritionist’ courses are expensive and overpromise your future career prospects and professional recognition. This makes choosing a reputable and professional nutritionist course, certification or qualification confusing.
Ideally, if you are able to, we would encourage you to study a degree in nutrition and / or dietetics at an Australian university that meet the registration requirements of Nutrition Society of Australia or Dietitians Association of Australia. These courses typically are a minimum of 3-4 years full-time study and cost more than $50,000 (Australian government study loan schemes may be available). Certificate IV or ‘Diploma’ courses in nutrition that claim to qualify or certify you as a nutritionist are generally not widely-recognised in the Australian nutrition industry (even if they are very expensive).
Many of our students undertake our courses to ‘test the waters’ to return to study before committing to a full degree in nutrition.
Completing our Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching gives you to the option to take out professional membership and insurance to provide nutritional advice and coaching. To find out more please see: https://www.beckhealth.com.au/advanced-certificate-of-nutrition-and-health/
Can I call myself a nutritionist if I complete your nutrition course?
Yes, if you would like to – just remember that in Australia, anyone can use the title ‘nutritionist’ without any qualifications. When choosing a nutritionist course, keep in mind that qualifications below a degree level are not well recognised or viewed in the Australian nutrition and health industry as you might expect or be led to believe.
Completing our Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching course gives you to the option to access professional membership and insurance, allowing you to provide nutritional advice and personalised nutrition, diet and healthy lifestyle plans, programs and coaching to clients. Please go to the course page to find out more.
Nutritionist qualifications – What qualifications do I need to become a nutritionist?
In Australia, a nutritionist is typically expected to hold at least a degree in nutrition science and/or dietetics. Many private colleges and nutrition course providers, both in Australia and internationally, offer courses in fields such as health coaching, food coaching, wellness coaching, and nutrition certification. Despite lots of promises and marketing, these courses are not equivalent to a professional degree in nutrition, nor do they qualify graduates to provide clients with private health fund or Medicare rebates. There are two key organisations in Australia that regulate and accredit professional nutritionists:
- The Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) recognises Registered Nutritionists (R Nutr.). To become a Registered Nutritionist you need a bachelor-level degree in nutrition or a related health or nutritional science, plus at least three years of advanced postgraduate study or professional experience in nutrition.
- The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) registers Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APDs). To become an Accredited Practicing Dietitian you are required to complete specific, DAA-approved university qualifications.
There are several things you need to think about when choosing which course to become a nutritionist. Most professional nutrition degrees take at least four years of full-time study and will cover subjects such as anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, counselling, diagnostics, nutrition, pathology, physical examination, practice management, and research skills. Nutrition degrees also generally require hundreds of hours of (unpaid) clinical placement. Universities are still the most well-regarded institutions in the nutrition industry, but it’s important to choose a course that best suits your needs, goals and life commitments.
In the Australian nutrition industry, a degree recognised by the Nutrition Society of Australia or the Dietitians Association of Australia is the best way to ensure you have the necessary qualifications to become a professional nutritionist.
Australian accreditation and registration for nutritionists and dietitians
In Australia, to become a recognised professional nutritionist (Registered Nutritionist (NSA) / Accredited Nutritionist / Accredited Practicing Dietitian (DAA)), you need to meet certain standards set by organisations like the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) or the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). This requires you to have a degree in nutrition or a related health science, plus additional training in nutrition that is approved by either the NSA or DAA. Certificate, diploma or advanced diploma level courses are not accepted for professional accreditation.
Nutrition Society of Australia – Register of Nutritionists “Registered Nutritionist”
The Nutrition Society of Australia has a professional registration program to promote high standards of training for nutritionists. To be listed on this register, you will need a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition or a related health or nutritional science and also at least three years of advanced study or professional experience in nutrition.
Being on the NSA register allows you to work as a Registered Nutritionist in a variety of roles, such as designing health programs, researching, advising, promoting public health, coordinating community projects, and more. The main purpose of the NSA Register of Nutritionists is to differentiate individuals with the right training and experience from those who don’t. To become a registered nutritionist with the NSA, you will need a bachelor’s degree with a major in nutrition or a postgraduate degree such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s, or PhD in nutrition. There’s no single course that automatically leads to registration. To view the NSA Register of Nutritionists or find out more about registration requirements go to: https://nsa.asn.au
Dietitians Association of Australia – Accredited Practicing Dietitian
The Dietitians Association of Australia has a comprehensive accreditation scheme for dietitians. To find out more go to www.daa.asn.au
I want to become qualified as a professional nutritionist. Should I choose a university or private college?
While many Australian education and training providers have Higher Education status (offer degree qualifications), Australian universities are still the most well-regarded and recognised study options in the nutrition industry. Any course provider can say that their courses will accredit you to become a ‘nutritionist’. The term nutritionist is not a registered profession – so this doesn’t really mean much at all. When you are choosing a ‘nutritionist’ course, here are some important points to think about:
Time requirements – Nutrition degrees
Most professional nutrition courses will take a minimum of three/four years of full-time study. Ideally they should be a degree (bachelor level) course as a minimum.
Course requirements – Nutrition degrees
Most nutrition degree courses include subjects such as: anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pathology, diagnostics, physical examination, practice management, research skills and counselling as well as nutrition.
Most nutrition degrees also require you to complete several hundred hours in unpaid clinical placement (e.g. a nutritionist’s private practice, student clinic, hospitals etc). Nutrition and health science qualifications that do not include clinical placement are not commonly recognised by many professional accreditation organisations. This can be a problem because professional membership of accreditation bodies is normally required for you to be approved for professional indemnity insurance, private health fund rebates and professional recognition as a nutritionist.
Things to think about when comparing professional nutrition courses:
Medicare and / or private health fund rebates?
When choosing a nutrition course or degree in Australia, it’s important to understand what the qualification will allow you to do in the future. Some courses or degrees may not let you work as a private practice nutritionist, while others may not allow you to access medicare or private health fund rebates for clients. It’s important to think about your career goals and what type of job you want to have in the nutrition field before choosing a course or degree.
Academic qualifications of your lecturers or learning support
Make sure that your lecturers, tutors and / or course developers are qualified in nutrition and / or dietetics. This is not a concern if you are studying a degree because in Australia, academic staff must have a higher degree than the level they are teaching (so a university lecturer in nutrition in a Bachelor’s degree level course would need to hold a masters degree in nutrition, or if you were teaching in a Masters level course you would need to have a PhD). Many online and private college course providers are not specialists in nutrition, and do not hold professional qualifications in nutrition.
Nutrition Course Costs
Before enrolling in a nutritionist course, make sure you are aware of all costs. This includes tuition fees, taxes, international currency exchange rates, exam fees, laboratory fees, clinical placement fees, and textbook costs. Keep in mind that private colleges tend to have higher upfront fees compared to public universities where you may be eligible for government-funded options such as Fee Help loans. Also find out if you are charged extra for extensions.
Study support and service
Before choosing a nutrition course, be sure to find out what kind of learning support services are available during your studies. Make sure the person providing support is qualified in nutrition science.
Clinical hours, examination requirements, class attendances
Ask about any requirements for in-person classes, as well as additional costs for travel and accommodation. You should also ask about the process for completing any clinical hours and finding placement opportunities with nutrition professionals. Don’t forget to check the location of exams and if there are any additional fees for course extensions.
How is your nutrition course or training delivered?
Studying online can be super-flexible, but it’s important you have everything you need to get the most out from your study experience. Be cautious of nutrition courses that rely on video or slide formats as the only form of learning material. This type of format is only effective if it’s accompanied by comprehensive course notes and materials and a strong study-support system.
Australian nutrition degrees
To become a recognised and registered nutritionist with organisations like the Nutrition Society of Australia or the Dietitians Association of Australia, you need a degree like a Bachelor of Science with a focus on health or nutrition science and honours. You will also need at least three years of professional experience or ongoing postgraduate education.
The following Australian Universities have very strong nutrition faculties:
University of Wollongong (NSW)
The courses listed above include both nutrition and dietetics degrees. The information about accredited dietetic degrees comes from the Dietitians Association of Australia. For details regarding programs accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia please go to www.daa.asn.au or for details regarding the Nutrition Society of Australia’s nutritionist registration please visit www.nsa.asn.au
Beck Health & Nutrition courses are not designed to take the place of a degree in nutrition. Nutrition courses from any private provider below a degree level will not provide you with the qualifications you need to become a Registered Nutritionist or Accredited Practicing Dietitian. Some of our courses give you the option to take out professional membership and insurance to provide personalised nutrition advice and optimise health. We are very happy to offer this option to maximise professional opportunities for our students.
Beck Health & Nutrition courses
We love teaching people more about nutrition and health. Our courses provide a comprehensive, professional and flexible format to study nutrition and health. Our nutrition and health coaching courses are suitable for health professionals, including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and personal trainers, as well as anyone interested in a solid understanding of nutrition and health. While these courses are not equivalent to a degree-level nutritionist or dietitian qualification (which require several years of full-time study and costs tens of thousands of dollars), they are an excellent, flexible study option for professional development, personal interest, continuing education points and for health, nutrition, medical and fitness professionals to widen their range of services for their clients. Our Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching course gives you the option to gain professional membership and insurance for Health & Nutrition Coaching – Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching. We are very happy and proud to be able to offer this valuable option for our learners to maximise and tailor their professional options.
Health & Nutrition Coaching Course
Our Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching course gives you the option to gain professional membership and professional indemnity insurance to provide nutritional advice and coaching for clients or groups. The course is not designed to take the place of a degree in nutrition, but provides a flexible, comprehensive study of nutrition and health that gives our learners professional options and opportunities to work with clients to improve their health and nutrition.
Health & Nutrition Coaching Course
Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching
Nutrition Certificate Courses
Certificate of Nutrition for Stress & Mental Wellbeing
Certificate of Nutrition & Diet
Certificate of Nutrition for Perimenopause & Women 40+
Certificate of Sports & Exercise Nutrition
Certificate of Health, Nutrition & Weight Loss Coaching
Disclaimer: this information is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate and current. The information is provided in good faith in order to help people considering study options to become a nutritionist or study nutrition, health or wellness coaching. Beck Health & Nutrition will not be held liable for any errors or omissions contained.