Dietitian: career information
What is a dietitian?
A dietitian helps people understand the relationship between food and health. They help people to make dietary choices, maintain good health through nutrition, and prevent and treat illness.
Dietitians use skills and knowledge of nutrition to treat medical conditions and disease, and to advise people about healthy eating.
What does a dietitian do?
A dietitian may work in a clinical or community setting to undertake a variety of tasks including:
- educating people about appropriate diets for their lifestyle and job choices
- conducting nutrition interventions
- managing nutrition related food services in hospitals or communities
- participating in preventative health programs
- developing materials related to nutrition for professionals such as doctors
- consulting with medical practitioners to manage patient dietary needs
What pathways will enable me to become a dietitian?
What other jobs can a career in dietetics lead to?
Dietitians can easily expand their careers into roles such as:
- food technologist
- nutritionist
- sport scientist
- weight loss counsellor
- dietary aide
- environmental health officer
How can I gain employment as a dietitian?
To be employed as a dietitian you must complete a 4 year Bachelor Degree in Science in either Nutrition or Dietetics, and a postgraduate course to specialise as a dietitian.
To enrol in these bachelor courses you must have completed Year 12 or equivalent, TEE Chemistry and Maths, or undertake a mature-aged STAT exam.
Additional information
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations provides programs, training and support for Indigenous students.
Brochure version:
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