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How to Become a Nutritionist: An Intellectual Job That Makes a Difference

To become a nutritionist, you need to have solid skills and knowledge in health science, food, digestion and sports and exercise — to name a few. Although a formal qualification isn’t strictly required to begin work as a nutritionist, most nutritionists have one, and you need a qualification to become a registered nutritionist. Gain the core skills you need by studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine) or a Personal Trainer – Nutrition Specialist qualification.

Find out more about a job as a nutritionist, what the job market is like in Australia, and what you need to do to get yourself a role in this rewarding career.

nutritionist
  • Overview
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Skills
  • How to Become
  • Start Learning
  • Reviews

Nutritionist job description
info Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed nutritionists about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

Nutritionists help clients improve their diet and aim to improve their overall wellbeing. They design and curate dietary plans for their clients to boost their clients’ health and better educate them on good nutrition and a balanced diet.
Cooperative

Cooperative
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Organising

Organising
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Intellectual

Intellectual
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Tasks and responsibilities for a nutritionist

So, what does a nutritionist do? A nutritionist’s duties can include:

  • Assessing clients' needs and goals 
  • Creating meal and diet plans
  • Educating clients in nutrition and food preparation
  • Monitoring client progress and adjusting schedules as needed
  • Working with data relating to people's nutritional needs
  • Recommending food supplements 

Reasons to choose this job
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.

Makes a difference

Makes a difference

Food and nutrition science play a huge part in people’s healthcare, mental health, and quality of life. You may even be able to help people recover from eating disorders. Being able to impart your knowledge and creating plans that encourage healthy lifestyles is deeply satisfying.

Read More
High paying

High paying

The high-value knowledge obtained by nutritionists and the demand for their services have resulted in a high salary average in Australia and worldwide.

Read More
Learning opportunities

Learning opportunities

Starting as a nutritionist can expose you to learning experiences every day. It may also lead you to more senior roles or study further qualifications within the industry.

Read More

Job satisfaction

Overall job satisfaction
info
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.

Stress level
info
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

medium

Fulfilment
info
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

very-high

Skill level
info
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.

medium

Job market trends for a nutritionist

Nutrition is a growing industry, and nutritionist job opportunities won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. 

In 2020 there were 6,500 nutrition professionals in Australia. Reports predict this number will grow to around 7,100 by 2025. This upward trend could be due to the growing awareness of nutrition and a desire to live healthier lifestyles. Other factors could be an increased desire to control weight, maintain better gut health and food trends around natural ingredients.

$103,584 Per Year

Median salary
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Projected job growth
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Pathway options
info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

A career in nutrition could be the gateway to other job opportunities. In this growing industry, diverse and specialised health professional roles are aplenty.

Some career pathways could be:

Junior

  • Nutrition assistant

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)

Mid

  • Health coach

    Most common qualification: Diploma of Nutrition (10967NAT)

  • Weight loss consultant

    Most common qualification: Diploma of Nutrition (10967NAT)

Senior

  • Diabetes educator

    Most common qualification: Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Health Care (V12936)

Skills you might already have
info
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.

Skills that are an advantage to nutritionists are often naturally developed or picked up through past work. These interpersonal skills create a better work environment and a better service to clients.

Some nutritionist soft skills are:

Communication

Good communication skills are essential when working face to face with clients. You need to convey information, nutrition plans and advice on eating habits clearly, and you need to be available and respond quickly if a client has any questions or concerns.

Read More

Empathy

Working in the health and wellness industry requires empathy and compassion. Clients may have poor self-esteem or anxiety about healthy eating and need you to be sensitive when communicating with them.

Read More

Teamwork

If you work as a nutritionist within an organisation, you work around and with other people. As part of larger teams, you must work cohesively to provide the best service possible to patients or clients. 

“If you love food, cooking, science and health and are motivated to help people, then nutrition and dietetics may be the profession for you.” – Dr Liz Isenring, professor of Nutrition and Dietetics and founder of LINC Nutrition.

Read More

Hard skills
info
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.

Completing a nutrition course will give you the practical skills you need to work as a nutritionist with capability and confidence.

Some technical skills required for a job in naturopathy are:

Human nutrition

Read More

Chemistry

Read More

Nutrition communication

Read More

Sociology of food

Read More

Communication and counselling

Read More

Psychology of exercise and sport 

Read More

Gut health and food as medicine

Read More

Food science

Read More

Little did I realise that as a dietitian and nutritionist, I'd help people with cancer, run research trials, teach students, publish scientific papers and be invited around the world to speak on nutrition and wellness.

Dr Liz Isenring
Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics and founder of LINC Nutrition.

How to become a nutritionist

Although not strictly required, most employers will want you to have a qualification in nutrition to consider you for a position. A completed undergraduate degree qualification or equivalent is also necessary to become a registered nutritionist.
  1. Study

    By studying nutrition at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you gain the skills you need to begin a job as a nutritionist. A qualified nutritionist will have better job prospects and a more promising career path.

  2. Apply to join the NSA Voluntary Register of Nutritionists

    There are no Australian government regulations for the nutrition industry, and as such, organisations like The Nutrition Society of Australia have a voluntary register to distinguish nutritionists with credentials.

Explore related qualifications

Bachelor of Health Science

Study method In-class Online

This qualification provides strong foundations and accreditation in nutrition through studies in biological and social sciences subjects. This bachelor’s degree includes nutritional biochemistry, weight management, clinical nutrition, dietary planning, sports nutrition, nutritional physiology research, and public health nutrition.

The course duration can be three years (full-time) to eight years (part-time) and a blended learning format. There is flexibility in study options in both time and location, and payment plans are available for tuition fees.

Course prerequisites are dependent on the course provider. Enquire about a course to find out more.

Read More

1 providers offer this course

ACPE

Diploma of Nutrition and Dietetics for Personal Trainers

Study method Online

This course is a carefully developed course programme encompassing two nationally recognised qualifications and four industry-leading certifications across both training and nutrition. This qualification will help you develop the skills and knowledge to become an expert personal trainer who can give clients nutritional advice.

With 24 months to complete the short courses, your learning is self-paced, and you can enrol at any time. Course content is delivered online and in a blended format, and multiple payment options are available for course fees. Enquire to find out more.

Read More

2 providers offer this course

Onfit Training College
Australian Institute of Personal Trainers

Related subjects

Jobs in the health and wellness sector come in many forms. Depending on your goals and dreams, there is a perfect fit for you in this exciting industry.

Some other subjects to explore:

Health
Health
Health Science
Health Science
Nutrition
Nutrition

Reviews
info How we collect reviews

Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.

Is this your job title?

Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Jayde
Sep 06 2021

Amazing that I can help clients reach their nutrition goals.

What are the best parts of the job?

Talking to clients and helping them achieve their goals.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Time management and staying on top of tasks.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Eating disorders
Mary
Sep 07 2021

Enjoyable, helpful career.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being able to make a positive difference in someone's life and help them.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Finding new clients and building those crucial relationships.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Jovana
Sep 08 2021

Love interacting with both my clients and colleagues.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with my colleagues and seeing my patients happy.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Getting everything done by the set time frame.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Jake
Sep 08 2021

Making patients happy is rewarding.

What are the best parts of the job?

Making a positive impact in my patients' lives.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

My manager is very demanding and hard to work for.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
Emilio
Sep 12 2021

Gratifying to improve other people's health.

What are the best parts of the job?

I love to inform others how to improve their nutrition.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Finding the right people who genuinely want to make a change in their diet and eat healthier.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 0-4 employees
1 2

Related articles

If you feel like a role as a nutritionist is right for you, you can access everything you need to know from a catalogue of resources. Start with this article:

So, You Want to Become a Nutritionist?
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The Carer Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Carer
info What are job clusters?

The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.

The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.

This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.

Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?

Working in a role that guides and educates others on better health and wellbeing is best suited to the career personality of The Carer.

The Carer has a personality that thrives in helping others and uses their natural ability to nurture and care to make people feel at ease in their presence.

Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

Nutritionists and dietitians may provide a similar service to clients. The term “nutritionist” is not regulated, and while nutritionists may be tertiary trained, a dietitian has strict qualifications and has been supervised and assessed in clinical nutrition.

In Australia, all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. Only people with a dietetics qualification can take on the expert role of a dietitian. You can find more information in this article about nutritionists and dietitians.

How to become a holistic nutritionist

While a formal qualification is not required to gain an entry-level position in holistic nutrition, getting qualified will boost your job prospects. Some courses you can complete to increase your job opportunities are a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine) or a Personal Trainer course with a Nutrition Specialist qualification.

How long does it take to become a nutritionist?

With no prior qualifications required, job opportunities will be better if you have previous training. Courses vary in length depending on qualification level. A Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine) takes 3 years of full-time study to complete, and a Personal Trainer course with a Nutrition Specialist qualification can take between 3-12 months to complete.

How much does a nutritionist earn?

In Australia, the average salary for a nutritionist is $103K per year. 

What makes a good nutritionist?

Good nutritionists are active listeners who are empathetic and compassionate. They have key skills in health, nutrition, the food industry and genuinely care about the health and wellbeing of others.

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