A Guide to Becoming a Dietitian
If you’re passionate about food, wholesome eating habits and making a positive difference in the lives of others, a career as a dietitian can be really rewarding and motivating.
In this helpful guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know about how to become a dietitian.
Understanding Dietetics
Dietetics is the discipline of allied health that deals with what we eat and how what we eat affects our health, body and wellbeing. There are many different aspects to being a dietitian and working in dietetics.
From consults to assessments and management plans, dietitians can help clients and their families in a wide range of ways.
Working as a Dietitian
Dietitians are qualified healthcare professionals who focus on food, health and the relationship between them. Dietitians work to achieve various goals for and with their clients including:
- Diet management and healthy eating habits
- Reducing the risk of illness
- General improvement to health
Daily Activities of a Dietitian
Dietitians often collect, organise and then analyse any relevant data or information related to their client’s health and nutritional habits.
They then help to plan diets and menus, including helping to develop strategies and techniques for food preparation. If necessary, they may plan and/or implement intervention programs or conduct nutritional assessments.
Dietitians, like other allied health professionals, often work with other health professionals to ensure wholesome and holistic care for their clients.
Where Do Dietitians Work?
Dietitians work in various organisations, businesses and facilities including hospitals (public and private), healthcare centres, mental health centres and part of government organisations.
How to Become a Dietitian in Australia
Study and Qualification
In Australia, all dietitians are required to have completed an accredited tertiary degree in nutrition and dietetics. Various universities, including Edith Cowan University, offer dietetics courses. It is also required that a year or two-year post-graduate Master’s degree is completed.
Provisional Program
After you have completed these courses of study, you will work for one year under a supervised Provisional Program run by the Dietitians Association of Australia, also called the DAA. This program includes compulsory Continued Professional Development.
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Once your Provisional Program has finished and associated requirements have been met you will be able to work as an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Each year you need to renew your accreditation which involves, among other things, ensuring you reach 30 hours of Continued Professional Development.
To find out more about the Provisional Program and Accreditation, visit the DAA website.
Dietitians at One Central Health
Our dietetics department at One Central Health ensures we’re able to provide comprehensive and wholesome health support and services to our clients. If you’re interested in working with our team and have a passion for dietetics and nutritional, reach out to us today and apply for a role as a dietitian.
