Dietitian vs Nutritionist: What’s the Difference?

This guide explains what each title means, what the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) credential involves, how Medicare and health funds treat each, and what to ask when choosing who to see.

Key takeaways

• All dietitians are nutritionists, but nutritionists without a dietetics qualification can’t call themselves dietitians [1].
• Dietitians complete an accredited university degree in dietetics and are trained to treat health conditions through nutrition [1].
• “Nutritionist” isn’t a regulated title in Australia, so training and experience vary [1].
• Accredited Practising Dietitians commit to ongoing training and follow a professional code of conduct [1].
• Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and many private health funds recognise the APD credential [1].

What is a dietitian?

A dietitian applies the science of food and nutrition to promote health and to prevent and treat disease [1].

In Australia, dietitians have graduated from an accredited dietetics degree at an Australian university, or studied overseas and passed a strict examination process [1]. Dietetics is regulated through the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) [1].

Dietitians are trained to give individual nutrition advice for health conditions, as well as for general healthy eating. They work in places such as hospitals, community health services and private practice.

What is a nutritionist?

A nutritionist works with food and nutrition to support the health of individuals or communities. Unlike “dietitian”, the title “nutritionist” isn’t regulated in Australia, so anyone can use it [1].

That means training and experience vary from one nutritionist to another. Many are university-qualified in nutrition science and work in areas such as health promotion, public health, research and the food industry. If you’re thinking of seeing a nutritionist, it’s worth asking about their qualifications and experience.

What does “Accredited Practising Dietitian” mean?

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the credential of Dietitians Australia’s APD Program. APDs commit to ongoing training and education throughout their careers, follow a code of conduct, and meet the National Competency Standards for Dietitians [1].

Most qualified dietitians are eligible for the APD Program, but not every dietitian is an APD [1]. To check, search for the person’s name on Dietitians Australia’s Register of Accredited Practising Dietitians [2].

Who can help with what?

There’s plenty of overlap, and both dietitians and nutritionists can talk with you about healthy eating. The main difference is health conditions.

If you’re managing a health condition, such as pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, a dietitian is trained to give advice tailored to that condition [1]. Dietitians can also work alongside your GP and other health professionals as part of your care.

If you’re after general healthy-eating guidance, a qualified nutritionist may also suit your needs.

Medicare, DVA and private health funds

Medicare, the DVA and many private health funds recognise the APD credential [1]. In practice:

• Medicare: if you have a chronic health condition and your GP sets up a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, Medicare rebates may apply when you see an APD [1].
• DVA: if you hold an eligible DVA card, dietitian visits with a referral may be covered. Check with DVA first.
• Private health insurance: if your extras cover includes dietetics, you may be able to claim part of the fee. Check your cover with your fund before booking.

Questions to ask when choosing

• What are your qualifications? Are you an Accredited Practising Dietitian?
• Do you have experience with my health condition or goals?
• Will you work with my GP or other health professionals?
• Can I claim through Medicare, DVA or my health fund?
• Can I see you in person, by telehealth, or both?
• What happens in the first appointment, and what does it cost?

Where Empova fits

Shanti, Empova’s lead dietitian, is both. Her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from Flinders University qualifies her as a dietitian and a nutritionist, and she’s an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

She specialises in weight management and metabolic health, and sees clients in person in Unley, Adelaide, and by telehealth Australia-wide. You can read more about Shanti, and how consultations, fees and rebates work, in the links below.