Dietitian (SA)

Education and Training:

To become a dietitian you usually have to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics. To get into the degree course below you usually need to gain your SACE. Alternatively, you could complete a relevant bachelor degree followed by a postgraduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree course. Contact the university for more information as requirements may change.

Degree Courses:

Flinders University:

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, 4 years full time

Additional Information:

Some qualified dietitians may choose to refer to themselves as nutritionists, however, not all 'nutritionists' are dietitians. Only a practitioner who has completed a course of training accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is eligible to be called an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). APD status is often a prerequisite for employment in this field. Check the Association's website for a list of accredited courses. See also the separate entry for Nutritionist.

Graduates of DAA-accredited courses may be eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia. Further information is available on the Association's website at www.daa.asn.au .

Related Courses:

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Nutrition is a rapidly expanding field and graduates find employment in a wide variety of roles and settings: patient care and education in hospitals, nutrition and health education in community health centres, public health nutrition and food and nutrition policy in government departments, private practice and consultancy, education and training, food industries, health promotion and nutrition research. Relatively new areas are in the fields of sports nutrition, publishing and the media. Some dietitians work on a part-time basis.

Opportunities for dietitians depend upon a range of factors including government health funding and the recognition of nutrition by the community as a means of preventing and treating diet-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Demand for dietitians depends on the level of public and professional awareness, and acceptance of the services they provide. Private health rebate schemes also affect demand for dietitians.