Professional Nutrition Training
How do I become a professionally accredited nutritionist?
Last Updated: August 2008
To date in Australia there has been no control or regulation of who can call themselves a nutritionist (therefore it is always prudent to check that nutritionists hold relevant tertiary qualifications in the science of nutrition) which makes selecting an appropriate professional training course difficult. This is however changing, with both the Nutrition Society of Australia and the Dietitians Association of Australia establishing guidelines for registration of nutritionists. Professional training in nutrition routinely involves a comprehensive program of tertiary studies and takes a number of years to complete. Upon graduation students must then apply for acceptance into a recognised governing body and take out professional indemnity insurance. You will also be required to show proof of ongoing education each year in order to continue your registration.
New accreditation and registration guidelines
Professional accreditation and regulation of nutrition professionals in Australia is increasingly reliant upon industry bodies such as the Nutrition Society of Australia and the Dietitians Association of Australia. This industry accreditation generally requires degree level qualifications in nutrition (or a related health science plus postgraduate qualifications) as a minimum and does not directly recognise diploma and advanced diploma level courses. Registration and accreditation of nutrition professionals is a very complex area which is constantly changing and evolving. If you have particular questions or concerns regarding this matter please feel free to contact us.
The following information has been developed to some study-path options and questions to ask if you are wanting to train as a professional nutritionist or dietitian.
Time requirements
Generally most professional nutrition courses will take a minimum of three-years full time study to complete (unless you have already completed an undergraduate degree in a related health science).
Course requirements
- Most courses will involve such subjects as anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pathology, diagnostics, physical examination, practice managements and counselling as well as nutrition.
- Additionally students be required to undertake several hundred hours in clinical placement (e.g. a nutritionists' private practice, student clinic, hospitals etc). Nutrition and health qualifications that do not include clinical placement are often not recognised by professional accreditation bodies, which are vital for attainment of professional indemnity insurance and professional recognition upon graduation.
What to look for when comparing and selecting professional training courses
- Qualification upon completion: many private providers and universities offer a range of nutrition training, however it is imperative that you find out what your final qualification will actually allow you to do. This is particularly important if you plan to work in private practice or a clinical setting, as not all courses will actually qualify you to do this. A number of correspondence and online courses also promise qualifications such as "nutritional advisor", "diet therapist", "professional nutritionist and weight loss consultant" or similar - please note that, to the best of our knowledge, these qualifications are not recognised in Australia (even if they are very expensive).
- Academic qualifications of the faculty (academic staff): ensure that members of academic staff have suitable tertiary qualifications in the science of nutrition and/or dietetics. This is generally not an issue in the Australian university system as their Higher Education status means that their academic staff must be appropriately qualified however these standards often do not stretch to all private providers.
- Cost: ensure you are fully informed about all costs: including all fees, GST or other taxes, examination fees, clinical and laboratory fees and request some indication of the costs of texts. Private colleges tend to be more expensive than universities in the sense that they charge up-front fees whereas HECS, and Fee Help options are available for public university courses in Australia.
- Student support and service level: ask about what support services are offered to students undertaking a course (e.g. what sort of contact occurs during a correspondence course, for example is it online only, or can you speak to your lecturer over the phone? Will the person you will be in contact with be appropriately qualified in their subject area?).
- Residential and examination requirements: if you are planning to undertake your studies via correspondence, be sure to check if you will be required to attend any residential sessions (generally a few days each semester where you are required to attend the university for a block of lectures or laboratory sessions). Remember to factor the cost of travel, accommodation and possibly time off work to attend these. Also check how clinical hours are required to be completed and whether there is assistance finding placements with nutrition professionals. Many correspondence courses also require you to attend exams. Make sure you know where your nearest examination centre is.
- Mode of delivery: Research constantly confirms that courses delivered completely online have poorer educational outcomes for students. When studying via correspondence it is vital to have complete, detailed information available to you. Beware of distance courses which rely solely or too heavily on note form or presentation formats such as PowerPoint, such media is only helpful if you are in a very well supported lecture environment.
Current Australian training requirements for accreditation as a nutritionist:
Advanced Diploma of
Nutritional Medicine: This is the minimum level of qualification you will
require in order to practice as a nutritionist in Australia.
Accreditation arrangements require the following study load for
this qualification: Anatomy and Physiology (135hrs), Biochemistry and Chemistry
(100 hours), Diagnosis, Pathology and Pharmacology (300hrs),
Nutrition (400hrs), Professional practice studies (160hrs), Communication
(30hrs), Supervised Clinical training (100hrs), Safe Practice (15hrs), First Aid
Certificate. Accreditation options for advanced diploma level nutrition
courses include the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the Australian
Natural Therapists Association. Please note that some accrediting bodies
do not recognise qualifications that are delivered completely via
correspondence. You will require professional accreditation in order to
gain professional indemnity insurance and be able to legally practice as a
nutritionist upon graduation from your studies.
Degree qualifications: In order to gain recognition as a professional nutritionist by peak bodies such as the Nutrition Society of Australia or the Dietitians Association of Australia you will require a Bachelor of Science or other suitable qualification in nutrition with honours and a minimum of three years professional experience. A list of Australian University nutrition courses is listed below.
Beck Health & Nutrition courses
- Beck Health & Nutrition courses are designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to nutrition and detail a large range of common nutritional principles and issues. The courses are designed to be completed in approximately 32 hours of study (2hrs per week for 16 weeks) whereas a first semester introductory nutrition subject at an Australian university requires more than 100 study hours (and generally cost in the vicinity of $1800-$2000 per subject). The short-course nature of Beck Health & Nutrition courses mean that they will not qualify and accredit you as a professionally accredited nutritionist or dietitian (as this takes several years of full-time study).
- Beck Health & Nutrition courses can be used by health professionals for professional registration points and broadening of current services.
- Beck Health & Nutrition courses are especially useful for General Practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, personal trainers, naturopaths, weight loss consultants, teachers and childcare workers, health food and pharmacy staff or anyone who requires a sound working knowledge of nutrition and health.
Institutions
Currently in Australia you can study nutrition either through a university or a private college. For individuals wishing to study nutrition at a professional level, we have compiled a list of courses and study paths available Australian Universities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and includes both undergraduate and postgraduate study options. For further information on any of these courses please contact the university or institution directly.
Courses listed here include both nutrition and dietetics degrees. Information regarding accredited dietetic degrees is sourced from the Dietitians Association of Australia. For details regarding programs accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia please go to www.daa.asn.au.
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Please feel free to call us on 9981 6228 or contact us if you have further questions.
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Beck Health & Nutrition courses
The Certificate of Nutrition and Diet course provides a comprehensive introduction to the science of nutrition and dietary analysis. Now includes new modules on life-span and sports nutrition.
This unique nutrition course combines two of our most popular short courses, Infant to Preschool Nutrition and Nutrition for Children and Teenagers into a comprehensive study of paediatric nutrition.
The Certificate of Sports Nutrition course explores the latest nutritional strategies to optimise and enhance athletic performance. Includes elements of exercise physiology, nutrition, dietary analysis and nutritional planning for athletes.
This flexible course presents the nutrition and lifestyle strategies for prevention and management of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Nationally Recognised Qualifications
Certificate IV in Population Health Nationally recognised qualification in Public Health and Nutrition Promotion
Certificate II in Population Health - Coming soon Nationally recognised qualification in in Public Health and Nutrition Promotion Support
Beck Health & Nutrition courses offer you:
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