Dietitian
Use nutrition science to help people improve their health, manage conditions and make evidence-based food choices.
What They Do
Dietitians use nutrition science to assess people's dietary needs and develop strategies to improve health or manage medical conditions.
They may assess nutritional status, provide individual counselling, develop meal plans, manage medical nutrition therapy and work alongside doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Dietitians can support people living with conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, food allergies and malnutrition. Jobs and Skills Australia
They can work in hospitals, private practice, community health, aged care, sports, public health, research and food-service organisations.
Who This Career Suits
Dietetics suits people who enjoy science and healthcare but also like working directly with people.
Strong Dietitians need to listen carefully and understand a person's circumstances rather than simply telling them what they should eat.
It particularly suits someone interested in the connection between food, health, behaviour and evidence-based healthcare.
Key Skills
Communication, Clinical Judgement, Nutrition Science, Analytical Thinking, Compassion & Empathy, Patient Care, Problem Solving, Education
Work Environment
Healthcare Facility, Hospital, Clinic, Community, Private Practice
Education & Training
To become an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), you generally need to complete a university dietetics qualification accredited by Dietitians Australia.
Accredited programs include bachelor's degrees and graduate-entry master's programs across Australian universities. Dietitians Australia specifically warns that not every nutrition degree is an accredited dietetics qualification. Dietitians Australia
After completing an accredited qualification, graduates can apply to join the APD Program. The APD credential is Australia's national professional credential for dietitians and requires ongoing professional development and professional standards.
Career Changer Pathway
Dietetics can suit people moving from nutrition, food science, healthcare, biomedical science, exercise science or other related disciplines.
Someone who already holds an appropriate bachelor's degree may be eligible for a graduate-entry Master of Dietetics or Nutrition and Dietetics program, depending on prerequisite subjects.
Career changers should make sure the program is Dietitians Australia accredited if their goal is to become an APD.
Early Career
Graduate Dietitians develop skills in nutritional assessment, counselling, treatment planning and working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
They may begin in hospitals, community health, aged care or private clinics while gaining experience across different patient groups.
Mid Career
Experienced Dietitians may manage more complex clients and specialise in areas such as diabetes, gastrointestinal health, renal nutrition, oncology, paediatrics, eating disorders, aged care or sports nutrition.
They may also supervise students and junior practitioners.
Senior / Veteran Career
Senior Dietitians can become Clinical Leads, Senior Dietitians, Allied Health Managers or specialist practitioners.
Others move into private-practice ownership, public health, research, food industry consulting, education or healthcare leadership.
Salary Guide
Early Career
70000
Mid Career
95000
Senior / Veteran
125000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / Indeed Australia
Salary data source URL:
Date :
5 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
JSA's Dietitian-specific profile records about 5,400 Dietitians, although that six-digit figure comes from the 2021 Census. About 95% are women, with a median age of 34. Jobs and Skills Australia
The more current broader Nutrition Professionals group has about 8,900 workers, but recorded annual employment change of approximately -600 in the latest JSA data.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Moderate
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