Dietitian or Nutritionist?

What exactly is the difference between the two titles in Australia?

With so many health professionals offering dietary advice, it can feel incredibly confusing knowing who to trust. Although the terms "Dietitian" and "Nutritionist" may sound like two different terms for the same profession, there is actually a huge difference between the two! Let's unpack the difference, and why it's important to always check the credentials of who you take dietary advice from.

Nutritionists are not Dietitians -

All Dietitians are Nutritionists, but a Nutritionist is not a Dietitian. First and foremost, the title ‘Nutritionist’ is not regulated in Australia: meaning anyone who has had any type of nutrition training, no matter the length or quality, can title themselves as a Nutritionist. This is pretty unfortunate for the Nutritionists that DID do the appropriate, 3 year University degree, because in the same breath, someone who watched a 60 minute “Nutrition Basics” video, could also title themselves as a Nutritionist. This is all because the title is unregulated, making it pretty confusing to identify who is adequately trained in diet & nutrition. 

If you come across a Nutritionist who has gone to University, this does mean they have done adequate training which is great! It is important to note that “medical nutritional therapy” is not covered within these studies, meaning that a Nutritionist alone is not adequately trained to manage chronic diseases via dietary changes (think Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, PCOS, cholesterol and so on). A nutritionist’s scope of practice is limited to providing general health advice for the average population, and they cannot work in the community or in a clinical setting.

Dietitians are also Nutritionists -

The Dietetic profession is regulated by Dietitians Australia, which means to be called a Dietitian in Australia, you must have graduated from an Australian University with an approved Dietetics degree. This is typically a 4 or 5 year degree that also covers “medical nutrition therapy” allowing Dietitians to have the expertise to work with a range of health conditions. Dietitians can work in a range of settings including both clinical & private. Due to the high level of scientific education, dietitians can offer one on one services, develop customised meal plans, treat and prevent illness and disease and often specialise in particular areas e.g. eating disorders, glucose management or sport and performance Dietitians.

Accredited Practising Dietitians -

Most Dietitians are Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs), meaning they have committed to ongoing training and education throughout their careers, engaging with regular performance reviews. APD’s adhere to Dietitians Australia Code of conduct and are recognised by private health insurance, Medicare and Veterans Affair therefore rebates may be available. 

Of course this is not to discredit the knowledge and expertise of many wonderful Nutritionists out there! It is important to know who we are taking our dietary advice from, what training they have done & what they can work with. If you are ever unsure, an important question to ask would be: what are their qualifications (has this person gone to University)? If no, best to take these suggestions with a grain of salt. If yes, great! You are in the right place. From there it is up to you as to what kind of support and advice you need i.e. general information or more specific/individualised to you.

You can locate a Dietitians credential status here via the APD Register.

PSST want some freebies? Be sure to check out my Recipe Ebook Keeping Carbs or my go to guide The Ultimate Guide to Balanced Eating for some of my favourite go to nutrition tips!

Co-written by Anneliese O’Farrell (APD) and Bronwen Greenfield (APD).