There are courses in dietetics offered at universities in every Australian state and territory apart from Tasmania and the Northern Territory. It is important that you read the information on the Dietitians Australia (DA) website select a course that is accredited by DA if you would like to become a dietitian. There are undergraduate and postgraduate pathways available in Australia which will lead to a qualification as a dietitian.

The ways to become a dietitian in Australia are:

• Complete an undergraduate dietetics degree – these are generally 4 years
• Complete an undergraduate degree, generally in health or science with the appropriate pre-requisite subjects to be able to apply for and complete the masters of dietetics program at the same university – this is generally 4.5 to 5 years
• Complete an undergraduate degree, generally in health or science with the appropriate pre-requisite subjects to be able to apply for and complete the masters of dietetics program at a different university – this is generally 4.5 to 5 years

Please note that if you are looking to complete an undergraduate / masters combination to become a dietitian that it is vitally important to complete the appropriate subjects in the undergraduate degree to gain entry into masters courses.

Undergraduate entry into dietetics

For entry into 4 year undergraduate dietetics courses starting in 2022 the Selection Rank ranged from the mid-70s to the mid-90s. Following is a guide to the ATAR and/or Selection Rank for entry into every undergraduate dietetics course in Australia in 2022:

As well as your ATAR or Selection Rank, different universities may have entry requirements including the following:

• pre-requisite subjects such as mathematics, biology or chemistry
• a police check
• a working with children check
• the completion of first aid training before starting the course
• health checks and immunisations

If you don’t gain entry into dietetics directly following high school, some universities will allow you to transfer into their undergraduate dietetics degree following a year in one of their other undergraduate degrees – for example a health sciences or science degree. This will be dependent on your Grade Point Average in your first year subjects and could also involve other admission requirements. You ATAR / OP may also be considered. Please speak with an admissions officer at the universities you are considering applying for to see if this pathway may be available to you.

Undergraduate entry into a health or science degree with a master of dietetics at the same university

It is extremely important that you select your undergraduate degree and electives carefully to make sure that you will have completed the pre-requisite subjects to be able to apply for dietetics masters programs. Following is a guide to the ATARs and/or Selection Ranks for a range of undergraduate health and science degrees you can enter and then apply:

As well as your Grade Point Average, different universities may have requirements for their masters course including the following:

• pre-requisite subjects in areas such as mathematics, biology, biochemistry, chemistry and/or human nutrition
• a personal statement or video submission
• a police check
• a working with children check
• the completion of first aid training before starting the course
• health checks and immunisations

Graduate entry into a master of dietetics program following an undergraduate health or science degree

It is extremely important that you select your undergraduate degree and electives carefully to make sure that you will have completed the pre-requisite subjects to be able to apply for dietetics masters programs. You may complete your undergraduate health sciences or science degree at one university and then apply for a masters program at another.

Master of dietetics programs in Australia are generally either 1.5 or 2 years in length. Following is a list of universities which offer a master of dietetics program which you can complete to become a qualified dietitian.

As well as your Grade Point Average, different universities may have requirements for their masters course including the following:

• pre-requisite subjects in areas such as mathematics, biology, chemistry and/or human nutrition
• a personal statement or video submission
• a police check
• a working with children check
• the completion of first aid training before starting the course
• health checks and immunisations

Pathways to become a dietitian

Following is an infographic which provides an overview of the pathways to becoming qualified as a dietetics in Australia. For simplicity, it does not include the possibility of transferring into dietetics from another course. For more information, go to our become a dietitian page.

Current list of approved programs of study to become a dietitian

The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the Dietitians Australia for an up to date list of approved programs of study to become a dietitian in Australia.
Go to: https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/working-dietetics/university-programs

More resources on My Health Career

• What do dietitians do, where do they work, and are graduates getting jobs
• What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist? Choosing the right course for you!
• Two dietitians, two orthoptists and a microbiologist are asked “what do you love about your job?” Here are their responses…….
• Mindfulness practice in nutrition counselling – by Sylvia North, dietitian
• How to land and prepare for an overseas healthcare job as a new graduate – by Bonnie Lau

Disclaimer

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. My Health Career accepts no responsibility for ensuring that you enrol in a course that is right for you. Please do your own research to ensure that you enrol in the correct course, especially if you are considering an undergraduate biomedicine, health science or biomedical science degree as a pathway to a master’s course. This may include speaking with a careers advisor, guidance officer, career development practitioner, representatives of the Dietitians Australia, and admissions officers from the university or universities you are looking at applying to.