How to become a Dietitian

Applies the science of food and human nutrition to promote health, prevent and treat illness and disease, and to optimise the health of individuals, groups, communities and populations.

Main tasks

• Assesses the dietary needs of individuals and groups, and develops customised dietary plans
• Provides individualised nutrition advice to people with a range of health conditions
• Explains the relationship between food and health to attain and maintain people's health
• Plans menu options and manages the preparation of special meals or diets
• Provides guidance on food selection and preparation to individuals and groups
• Monitors and evaluates the progress of individuals on dietary plans
• Maintains accurate and confidential records of people's health when following dietary plans
• Provides primary, secondary and tertiary health care in settings that include hospitals and palliative care facilities

Ways in

• University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $86,684 a year
• About 10,900 people work in this job group now, and about 14,200 are projected by 2035. (+30.4%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Nutritionist
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• Optometrist
• Community Pharmacist

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Dietitian?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees; Science degrees.

How much does a Dietitian earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $86,684 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Dietitian a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 30% by 2035, from about 10,900 to about 14,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Dietitian?

Usually. 97% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Dietitian?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04