Choosing Your Nutrition Expert

Who are Accredited Practising Dietitians?

Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are recognised professionals with the qualifications and skills to provide expert nutrition and dietary advice.

APDs have sound university qualifications accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), undertake ongoing professional education and comply with the Association's guidelines for best practice.They are committed to the Association's Code of Professional Conduct, Statement of Ethical Practice and to providing quality service.

APDs are qualified to advise individuals, groups and industry on nutrition-related matters. They also have the clinical training to modify diets and to treat conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, food allergies and intolerances.

How can you benefit from working with an APD?

APDs provide a range of nutrition and dietetic services to assist health, food and education professionals in their work. These include:

Assessing people's nutritional needs
Developing personalised eating plans and nutrition guidelines
Providing nutrition counselling and support
Providing information on healthy eating, shopping for food, eating out and preparing food at home
Undertaking nutrition and food research
Training health care professionals
Developing nutrition communications, programs and policies
Providing consultancy services to corporate organisations, food manufacturers, schools and health care facilities.

Where do APDs work?

APDs work in a variety of settings including:

Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities
Consultancy and private practice
Community nutrition and public health
Food service and management
Industry, particularly food companies
Research and teaching
Government
Public relations marketing and communications.

APDs - providing nutrition and dietetic support for general practitioners

APDs work with general practitioners (GPs) to advise patients on the specific nutritional management of chronic health conditions. APDs can also work with GP practices on health promotion and education activities for patients, and continuing professional development sessions for GPs.

Medicare provides rebates for visits to APDs treating chronic health conditions under a care plan coordinated by a GP.

Visits to private practising APDs are also covered by most private health funds.