Dietitian vs. Nutritionist in Australia: What’s the difference? Role & salary
Discover the difference between Nutritionists, Clinical Nutritionists & Dieticians including salary, role, goals & duties, plus the career pathways to get there.
Australians are spending billions each year on health and wellness and someone needs to guide them through the nutrition landscape, which can be a little chaotic. It seems like every week there’s a new nutrition hero on social media and the only way to get real, science-based advice is to speak with someone who’s dedicated their entire profession to nutrition.
If you’re considering a career in nutrition, then think carefully about which qualifications you want to obtain. They dictate which clients you can treat and how much you’ll earn, so now’s the perfect time to think about your interests and goals. This guide will show you the difference between dietitians and nutritionists and how to obtain each title.
Dietitians vs. nutritionists overview
Dietitians and nutritionists both work with food and health, but they’re not interchangeable professionals. Dietitians are regulated healthcare practitioners who diagnose nutrition problems and create medical nutrition plans to treat serious conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.
Nutritionists focus on general wellness, helping healthy people improve their eating habits, manage their weight or optimise their athletic performance. Both professionals advise people about food choices, but only dietitians can handle clinical medical conditions involving food.
Allied health assistants work with both professions in a supporting role, which can be a great way to enter the field without any experience and no degree. You just need to complete a 12-month, fully remote Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support) and you’ll be able to handle nutrition tasks like meal planning assistance and nutritional screening. You can find positions like these at hospitals helping dietitians with patient meal services or in wellness clinics supporting nutritionists with group programmes and client communications.
Why people confuse these two professions
The confusion makes total sense because both professionals spend their days talking about food and healthy eating patterns. A dietitian working in private practice might help someone lose weight through better meal planning, whilst a nutritionist in the next suburb over is doing the exact same thing with a different client.
The lines get even more blurry when you consider that some dietitians choose wellness settings over hospitals, so they end up offering services that look exactly like what nutritionists provide. The difference really only comes down to regulations, qualifications and the legal scope of practice rather than obvious differences you’d notice as a client.
How each role supports health and wellbeing
Australian nutrition is all over the place right now. Nearly two-thirds of Australian adults were carrying excess weight in 2023 and obesity-related costs are projected to smash through $87.7 billion by 2032.
Add in the fact that over 1.3 million households faced food insecurity in 2023, with lone parent families having it the worst at 34%, and you can see why most people need some nutrition expertise. Both dietitians and nutritionists tackle these problems, just from different angles:
Aspect | Dietitians | Nutritionists |
Health conditions treated | Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, eating disorders, malnutrition, gastrointestinal conditions | Weight management, general wellness, preventive health, energy optimisation, sports performance |
Work settings | Hospitals, aged care facilities, private practice, community health centres, research institutions | Gyms, wellness centres, private practice, corporate wellness programmes, sports teams |
Client health status | Mostly works with people who have diagnosed medical conditions that require a medical intervention | Primarily working with generally healthy people wanting to improve their wellbeing |
Intervention approach | Medical nutrition therapy using evidence-based protocols for treatment | Education and coaching focused on sustainable lifestyle changes |
Regulation authority | Self-regulated through Dietitians Australia’s APD program with strict continuing professional development requirements | Industry associations like AARPN provide voluntary accreditation but no mandatory national regulation |
The key differences between dietitians and nutritionists
People throw around dietitian and nutritionist like they mean the same thing, but the gap between these professions is massive. They have entirely different qualifications and legal responsibilities, so it’s important to think carefully about what you want in your future before deciding which pathway to choose.
Differences in qualifications and training
Dietitians follow a heavily regulated educational pathway with mandatory clinical placements and strict ongoing professional development requirements. Nutritionists can enter the field through anything from weekend courses to comprehensive bachelor’s degrees, but having more qualifications and accreditations makes them more attractive to new clients.
Aspect | Dietitians | Nutritionists |
Minimum qualification | Complete an accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from Dietitians Australia’s course list | Anything from short courses to a Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Nutritionist) to a full Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) (Clinical Nutritionist) |
Course duration | Three years of undergraduate study plus supervised practice | Anywhere from six months to three years depending on qualification level |
Clinical practicum | Mandatory supervised placements in hospitals and clinical settings | Optional or limited depending on the program |
Accreditation body | Dietitians Australia oversees all accredited programmes | No single accrediting body |
Professional credentialling | Must obtain APD (Accredited Practising Dietitian) credential | Voluntary credentialing through organisations like AARPN |
Continuing education | Mandatory 30 hours of CPD per year | Optional CPD |
Pathways to becoming a Dietitian
Dietitians Australia counted just 6,906 active Accredited Practising Dietitians in 2023. The number is so low because becoming a dietitian is harder given the higher barriers to entry, but it’s still a relatively simple process:
Complete a Dietitians Australia-approved bachelor or master’s degree
Finish mandatory supervised clinical practice during your studies
Apply for provisional APD status with Dietitians Australia upon graduation
Achieve full APD status after meeting all provisional requirements
Maintain APD credential through 30 hours of continuing professional development per year
Pathways to becoming a Clinical Nutritionist
Nutritionists and Clinical Nutritionists have multiple entry points depending on career goals and budget. Your chosen pathway will determine your credibility to employers and potential clients. To become a Clinical Nutritionist:
Consider obtaining Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN) accreditation through AARPN if you’ve completed an approved degree
Get practical experience through internships or entry-level positions in wellness settings
Pursue voluntary professional development and specialisation in areas like sports nutrition or weight management
Scope of practice
Both professions work across different settings, but dietitians can legally practise medical nutrition therapy whilst nutritionists focus on wellness and prevention. Over 1.3 million Australians were living with diabetes in 2021 and roughly 1.1 million live with eating disorders. These medical conditions need guidance from a licensed, registered dietitian rather than a well-meaning nutritionist who may not have the necessary qualifications to treat serious diseases.
These are the biggest scope differences between dietitians, nutritionists and allied health nutrition assistants:
Setting | What dietitians do | What nutritionists do | What allied health nutrition assistants do |
Clinical practice | Diagnose and treat medical nutrition problems in hospitals, prescribe therapeutic diets for diabetes and kidney disease, manage eating disorder recovery and support surgical patients through nutrition interventions | Work with healthy populations on preventive health, though those with clinical training can support people with chronic conditions under supervision or in wellness contexts | Conduct nutritional screenings, help with meal planning and food service, educate patients about prescribed diets under dietitian supervision |
Community roles | Design public health nutrition programmes, advise government on nutrition policy, run diabetes prevention initiatives and develop school meal standards | Deliver nutrition education workshops, create workplace wellness programmes, run healthy eating seminars and develop community health campaigns | Support group nutrition education sessions, coordinate community programmes and help execute healthy eating initiatives |
Private practice | Treat complex medical conditions independently, qualify for Medicare rebates and private health insurance coverage, manage clinical nutrition therapy for chronic disease | Focus on wellness coaching, weight management, sports nutrition optimisation and lifestyle improvements without medical diagnosis | Prepare client resources, coordinate appointments, follow up with clients between consultations and assist practitioners with admin tasks |
Research and education | Conduct clinical nutrition research, teach at universities with accredited dietetics programmes, publish peer-reviewed studies and contribute to evidence-based practice guidelines | Develop nutrition education materials, deliver corporate wellness training, create online nutrition courses and write health content for media | Help with research data collection, prepare educational materials and support programme delivery under the guidance of a registered practitioner |
Legal protection of titles in Australia
A regulated title means only people who meet specific qualifications and professional standards can legally use that title. Currently, “dietitian” and “Accredited Practising Dietitian” are protected through professional self-regulation by Dietitians Australia. You must meet their strict standards to use these titles professionally.
“Nutritionist” remains unprotected in Australia. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of qualifications, which creates a massive variation in quality. Some nutritionists hold advanced degrees with extensive clinical training. Others completed weekend courses online with minimal scientific grounding. Customers can’t easily tell the difference without checking their credentials very carefully.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) doesn’t regulate either dietitians or nutritionists. Both professions operate under self-regulation frameworks, though dietitians maintain much stricter professional standards through Dietitians Australia’s APD programme.
Nutritionist vs. Clinical Nutritionist vs. Registered Dietitian
Clinical nutritionists with proper qualifications can work in similar spaces to dietitians, though their legal scope and professional recognition are quite different:
Factor | Nutritionist | Clinical nutritionist | Registered dietitian |
Minimum qualification | Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without any specific qualifications, but you can provide Nutrition support and assistance with the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support) or Diploma of Health Science To become a registered or certified Nutritionist, you will need to complete a relevant bachelor degree or higher qualification, such as a bachelor degree in nutrition science, human nutrition or food and nutrition. Registration with the Nutrition Society of Australia and/or the Australasian Association and Register of Practising Nutritionists (AARPN) is often required. | Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) plus clinical training. To become a Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN, you need to meet the training and competency standards of the Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN). | Accredited bachelor or master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics |
Regulation | Self-regulated through voluntary accreditation | Self-regulated through voluntary accreditation | Self-regulated through required Dietitians Australia’s APD programme |
Clinical work eligibility | No. | Yes, if holding approved clinical training qualifications such as a Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) | They can independently diagnose and treat medical nutrition conditions |
Medicare rebates | Generally no Medicare rebate eligibility | Generally no Medicare rebate eligibility | APDs qualify for Medicare provider numbers |
Common workplaces | Private clinics, food manufacturers, sports clubs, schools, and aged care facilities, but most employers won’t hire without relevant qualifications. | Wellness clinics, integrative medicine centres, private practice, and sports organisations. | Hospitals, aged care facilities, rehabilitation centres, and private practice. |
Accreditation body | There's no official accrediting body for nutritionists. However, as a nutritionist, you're able to apply for registration with the Nutrition Society of Australia if you hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree or higher. | AARPN or other nutrition associations (voluntary) | Dietitians Australia (mandatory) |
Professional insurance | Available but may have practice limitations | Available but may have practice limitations | Required and readily available for APDs |
Request a call back from our friendly team to discuss all your career options here.
Dietitian vs Nutritionist salary comparison in Australia
Money matters when you’re choosing between professions that require years of study. Dietitians generally earn more than nutritionists due to their clinical capabilities and Medicare eligibility, but the gap narrows for experienced nutritionists working in specialised roles. Your take-home pay depends heavily on where you work and which sector employs you.
Average salary ranges
Entry-level salaries start generally higher for dietitians, but nutritionists pull ahead as they gain experience and have more and more clients. Nutritionists mainly have their own practices and thus their income is largely dependent on the number of recurring clients they have, which is why their income grows faster as they accumulate happy customers. Dietitians usually have a stable salary working for a hospital or clinic, so their incomes grow more slowly.
Allied health nutrition assistants earn the least, but the gap isn’t that big. Once you consider that you can get a job as an allied health nutritionist with just a 12-month Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support) and still earn almost as much as a full nutritionist, this becomes a very appealing option for anyone looking to start working as soon as possible.
These are the dietitian vs. nutritionist salaries in Australia:
Role | Entry level | Mid-career | Advanced |
Dietitian | |||
Clinical dietitian | |||
Nutritionist | |||
Allied health nutrition assistant |
Factors affecting salary
Your real earnings vary drastically based on more factors than just your job title:
Location: Dietitians and nutritionists in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne can earn $10,000 or more per year than regional practitioners. That’s because of the higher cost of living and the higher concentration of people who may need these services.
Work setting: Hospital dietitians earn more than community health nutritionists. Private practice income varies wildly depending on client base and fee structure. Corporate wellness roles usually include bonuses and benefits too beyond base salary.
Level of qualification: Dietitians with master’s degrees can command higher starting salaries. Nutritionists with bachelor’s degrees can earn significantly more than those with just a certificate or diploma.
Experience and specialisation: Senior dietitians managing departments or running large private practices can exceed $130,000 per year. Nutritionists specialising in high-demand areas like sports performance or executive wellness charge premium rates.
Employment type: Permanent hospital positions include superannuation and paid leave, but the salary increases are lower than someone with a private practice. Casual and contract work tends to pay higher hourly rates, but you’ll have to work hard to secure new clients and keep happy ones coming back for more guidance.
Medicare eligibility: Dietitians with APD status and Medicare provider numbers attract more clients through rebates, which directly impacts private practice earnings. Most nutritionists can’t access Medicare, which limits their client pool to those paying out-of-pocket.
How to choose between becoming a dietitian, nutritionist or clinical nutritionist
Picking between these three careers shapes where you’ll work, which clients you can treat, how much you’ll earn and whether you’ll spend your days in hospitals or wellness clinics. Think hard about what kind of health professional you want to be before committing to years in either pathway.
Questions to help guide your decision
Your answers to these questions can show you which profession suits your personality and goals:
Do you want to work with sick people or generally healthy people?
Does regulatory structure matter to you?
Can you commit to three years of full-time university study?
Do you need Medicare rebate eligibility?
What’s your philosophy on health and healing?
Does purpose-drive work motivate you?
Career outcomes and job opportunities
Australians are taking their health seriously and they’re willing to spend money on it. Australia’s health and wellness market hit $106.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $204.8 billion by 2033, growing at 6.75% annually. The country ranks 10th globally for wellness economy size and 7th for per capita wellness spending at $4,824 USD.
Healthcare and Social Assistance is also Australia’s fastest-growing employment sector. The industry is expected to increase its share of total employment from 15.2% in 2023 to 16.7% in 2033. That growth means there will be thousands of new positions for nutrition professionals who can help Australians treat chronic disease and preventive health.
Recommended study pathways
Endeavour College of Natural Health delivers three nutritionist pathways through flexible study options:
Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)
Complete a comprehensive three-year bachelor’s degree that prepares you for clinical nutrition practice in multiple settings:
Study nutritional biochemistry, metabolic regulation, clinical nutrition, dietary planning, sports nutrition and public health nutrition
Gain hands-on clinical experience in Endeavour’s Wellness Clinics under qualified practitioner supervision
Choose from online, blended, livestream and on-campus delivery modes with the first year completed fully online
Graduate eligible for membership with professional associations like ATMS, CMA, NSA and ANTA
You’ll still need an accredited master’s degree to become a dietitian, like a Master of Dietetics
Diploma of Health Science
You can start your nutrition journey with a one-year full-time diploma that builds foundational knowledge before you commit to a more advanced degree:
Study human biology, systems physiology, medicinal food science and foundations of human nutrition
Choose electives in naturopathy and nutrition to explore different health science areas
Complete the entire diploma 100% online with flexible study times around work and family
Receive up to 32 credit points toward a Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support)
Start supporting and assisting nutrition professionals without committing to a three-year degree through this 12-month vocational qualification:
Work next to dietitians, nutritionists and allied health professionals in healthcare, aged care, disability services and clinical settings
Learn to assist with meal planning, food service support, nutritional screening and providing dietary education to clients
Study completely online with flexible self-paced options and complete practical training through work placement
Graduate eligible to work as allied health assistant, dietitian assistant, nutrition support worker or medical receptionist
Earn whilst you learn by working in nutrition support roles during your studies, with many employers hiring students before they complete their course
Use this qualification as a stepping stone into full dietitian or nutritionist pathways if you decide to pursue bachelor-level studies later
Entry requirements are just Year 12 completion (or Certificate III) or two years of employment experience if you’re over 21
FAQs
What qualifications are required to become a dietitian in Australia?
You need an accredited bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics or a master’s degree after a relevant science undergraduate. Then, complete 12 months of supervised practice to achieve your APD credential through Dietitians Australia.
What qualifications are required to become a nutritionist in Australia?
Nutritionists can enter with qualifications ranging from short courses to bachelor’s degrees in nutrition science. A Diploma of Health Science is the perfect stepping stone for learning about the industry before committing to a more time-consuming degree.
Are dietitians allowed to diagnose or treat medical conditions?
Yes, dietitians diagnose and treat nutrition-related medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, eating disorders and gastrointestinal problems. They prescribe therapeutic diets and medical nutrition therapy as part of clinical treatment plans.
What jobs can a nutritionist do without being a dietitian?
Nutritionists can work in:
Wellness clinics
Corporate health programmes
Gyms
Community health education
Private practice
Content creation
Product development
Sports nutrition
Health food retail
Although nutritionists can technically work any of these roles without being a dietitian, it usually comes down to whether or not they have relevant qualifications. A Diploma of Health Science is a great way to show employers that you can handle the job despite not being a registered dietitian.
What is a Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN)?
A Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN) is a tertiary educated, degree qualified, clinically trained Nutritionist (Practicing Nutritionist) whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted as meeting the training and competency standards of the Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN).
All Certified Practicing Nutritionists (CPNs) are qualified as Clinical Nutritionists, but not all Clinical Nutritionists are CPNs.
Which career has better job prospects in Australia: dietitian or nutritionist?
Both professions have strong demand. Dietitians access more clinical roles with Medicare eligibility. Nutritionists find opportunities in Australia’s rapidly growing wellness sector currently valued at $106.6 billion.
Australia needs nutrition professionals who actually care
Dietitians, clinical nutritionists and nutritionists play incredibly important roles in improving Australia’s health. Your choice depends on whether you want clinical medical nutrition therapy or holistic wellness coaching. Each pathway leads to meaningful work helping people change their relationship with food.
Endeavour College of Natural Health delivers flexible nutritionist qualifications from:
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support);
(HLT43021) Diploma of Health Science level; to
Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine).
Request a call back from our friendly team to discuss all your options here.
