FAQs
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Links to FAQs:
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| Q. | What is DAA? |
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The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is a professional member organisation and the largest nutrition focused body in Australia. DAA's mission is to support dietitians, and promote better food, better health and better living for all. With over 4000 members DAA is far bigger than any other similar organisation. DAA has strong links with other national and international organisations, so is at the cutting edge of nutrition. This means the information provided by DAA is accurate, up-to-date and the best around.
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| Q. | Who can join DAA? |
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There are the following classes of membership of DAA:
Members with Dietetic Qualifications To be eligible for membership of DAA, one of the following is required:
Members without Dietetic Qualifications To be eligible the following is required:
Further information on criteria is available from the National Office.
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| Q. | What qualifications do you need to be a dietitian? |
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To become a dietitian in Australia you need to complete one of the DAA accredited courses in nutrition and dietetics. Currently there are courses in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Some of these courses are undergraduate (usually four years), others are post-graduate (1 to 2 years after a Bachelor of Science degree). Dietitians who have overseas qualifications must have their qualifications assessed by DAA to be eligible for DAA membership and the Accredited Practising Dietitian Program.
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| Q. | Where do dietitians work? |
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Dietitians work in a diverse range of food and health areas including;
You can easily find more information about choosing a career as a dietitian.
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| Q. | How do I contact a local dietitian? |
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Go to Find an APD on this website, check the Yellow Pages (look under Dietitians and choose an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)) or call the National Office on 02 6163 5200. If you have a specific medical problem, you can ask your doctor to refer you to an APD.
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| Q | Does DAA National Office have dietitians available for consultation? |
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No, the dietitians who work in National Office do not provide consultation services. Dietitians who provide consultation services are listed on Find an APD on the website - see above.
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| Q. | How much will it cost to see a dietitian? |
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Dietitians set their own fees and they range according to experience and the services offered. An initial consultation (commonly 45 minutes to one hour) can range from $45 to $110. A short review consultation (less than 20 minutes) can range from $20 to $40. Concessional rates may be available so check with your practitioner. Most private health insurance funds provide rebates on dietitian's services. For details check with your particular fund. Medicare covers some dietetic services under the extended primary care program, ask your doctor about this.
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| Q. | How do I know if a dietitian is up-to-date? |
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Look for an Accredited Practising Dietitian or APD. These dietitians make an annual commitment to a continuing professional development program and to DAA's Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. You can check to see if a dietitian is an APD by looking at the Register of APDs under Find an APD on the website.
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| Q. | What is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)? |
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An APD is a dietitian who has made a commitment to keeping up-to-date and to maintaining high practice standards. The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) administers the APD Program, supporting and monitoring continuing professional development activity. APDs are bound by the DAA Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics. Only current participants in this program can use the letters 'APD' after their name. People seeking expert and practical dietary advice can be confident when choosing an APD.
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| Q. | Do you have to be a member of DAA to join the APD program? |
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No you do not have to be a member of DAA to be an APD. If a Dietitian is eligible for full membership of the association the DAA By-law states that they can join the APD program. The fee that DAA has set to join APD and not be a member of DAA is the same as the full membership fee (including APD) and dietitians who wish to join can find the documents they need to apply on the DAA website (see links below) or by ringing DAA on (02) 6163 5200. |
| Q. | What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian? |
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'Nutritionist' is a non-accredited title that might apply to a qualified nutrition scientist or a self-professed nutrition adviser. All dietitians can call themselves nutritionists if they choose because they have University qualifications in nutrition. These qualifications generally consist of a three year science degree and a two year Masters degree in nutrition and dietetics, or a four year undergraduate course in nutrition and dietetics. As well as being qualified to advise individuals and groups on nutrition-related matters, dietitians have the clinical training to modify diets to treat disease conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, gastro-intestinal diseases and food allergy. Dietitians are eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and to participate in the Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) regulation and quality program.
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| Q. | Do dietitians need to do further study to practise in different areas e.g. children's nutrition, sports? |
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Dietetic courses in Australia prepare dietitians to work in a wide range of practice areas. Many dietitians also have further qualifications or experience in particular areas. DAA members and APDs make a commitment to practice within their personal expertise and to promote their practice accordingly. Check specific areas of practice with the dietitian concerned or contact the DAA NAtional Office on 02 6163 5200.
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| Q. | Lots of people give diet advice, what is different about a dietitian? |
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When it comes to nutrition, people often say 'you just don't know who to believe these days'! That is why it is important to seek out advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). APDs provide advice based on scientific evidence, and they have years of university training. So to be sure you're getting the facts, the best thing you can do is see an Accredited Practising Dietitian when seeking out advice about nutrition and diet.
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| Q. | I have been on lots of diets and I am back where I started. How will seeing a dietitian help? |
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Dietitians can help people get off the dieting merry-go-round and make changes that will stick with them over a lifetime. Dietitians tailor their advice to fit in with people's lifestyle. Dietitians spend time listening to people and help them break down the barriers that are preventing them from making a change. So if you want to get off the dieting merry-go-round an Accredited Practising Dietitian can help.
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| Q. | DAA has partnerships with industry. Why, and who are DAA's partners? |
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The Dietitians Association welcomes partnerships with industry. We know that partnerships are the best way to bring about the changes needed to help Australians towards healthier eating. For example, with one of our partners we have been able to promote an important public health message that 'breakfast is the smart way to start your day' and with another that everyone should eat at least 7 serves of fruit and vegetables a day. Dietitians care a lot about professional standards and as an Association we work to established policies and processes. People can have confidence in dealing with the Dietitians Association. The DAA's partners section contains more information. |
