18 months of study – graduate sooner
More than 100 days of placement experience
#1 in Australia for nutrition science research
Why choose dietetics at Deakin
As diet-related health challenges continue to grow, skilled dietitians play a critical role in prevention, treatment and long-term care. Accredited by Dietitians Australia, Deakin's Master of Dietetics is a recognised pathway to becoming an Accredited Practising Dietitian. With more than 45 years delivering dietetics education, Deakin offers one of Australia's longest-running and most respected courses.
You will explore the relationship between diet and disease and develop evidence-based treatments for conditions such as obesity, diabetes, allergies and malnutrition. Apply your learning through around 110 days of supervised professional practice across clinical, community and food service settings, building the practical skills employers value.
Benefit from Deakin's strong industry connections with leading organisations including Nutrition Australia, Austin Health, Barwon Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Finish the course in 18 months full-time and enter the workforce sooner.
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Fast-track your career
Start working sooner with one of the few Australian dietetics degrees you can complete in just 18 months.
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Extensive professional practice
Gain more than 100 days of supervised placement across clinical healthcare, community, food service settings and a placement of your own choice.
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Industry-connected learning
Learn alongside leading health organisations, including major hospitals and nutrition agencies.
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Globally relevant training
Graduate from an accredited Australian degree that prepares you for dietetics careers across diverse health sectors.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Deakin’s Master of Dietetics prepares you to apply nutrition science in clinical, community and food service settings, helping people improve their health through evidence-based dietary care.
Dietitian
Apply nutrition science to support health, prevent and manage disease, and improve wellbeing. You may assess nutritional needs, develop care plans, plan menus, deliver education and work with other health professionals.
- $105k
Average annual salary in Australia
- 16.6%
Projected job growth for nutrition professionals by 2030
Industries you may work in
- Hospitals and health services
- Community health
- Private practice
- Aged care
- Food service and catering
- Government and public health
“The practical placements in this course – across clinical, food service and community settings – strengthened my consulting abilities and gave me the real-world experience needed to step confidently into professional practice.”
LeonMaster of Dietetics
Stories that start here
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
To become a dietitian in Australia, you typically need to complete an accredited dietetics qualification that includes both academic study and supervised professional practice. Deakin's Master of Dietetics combines advanced study in nutrition science, medical nutrition therapy, food systems and dietetic practice with 22 weeks of professional placements. The course is accredited by Dietitians Australia and is designed to help graduates develop the knowledge and practical competencies required for entry into the profession.
Deakin's Master of Dietetics can prepare graduates for careers in clinical dietetics, community and public health nutrition, food service management, private practice, sports nutrition, research and health promotion. Through advanced study and 22 weeks of professional practice placements, you'll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals and communities with evidence-based nutrition care. Graduates may find opportunities across hospitals, community health services, aged care, government, non-profit organisations, sporting organisations and the food industry.
Deakin's Master of Dietetics is an intensive professional qualification that combines coursework, assessments and 22 weeks of supervised professional practice placements. Students are expected to balance academic study with placement commitments across clinical, community and food service settings, making strong time management and organisation important. While the workload can be demanding, the combination of classroom learning and practical experience helps you develop the knowledge, skills and professional competencies required for a career in dietetics.
You'll complete 22 weeks of professional practice placement across multiple settings, including 10 weeks in a clinical setting, seven weeks in a community setting, four weeks in a food service setting and one week in an elective setting. Placements are full-time and may include regional or rural locations, with at least one regional placement expected. This hands-on experience prepares you to work confidently alongside established dietitians before you graduate.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Dietetics?
Over 18 months, you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to become an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. You will understand the foundations of dietetic practice and how to apply them in a range of professional practice settings.
Build dietetic foundations and apply your learning
Medical nutrition therapy
Apply evidence-based management for acute and chronic conditions and support sustainable dietary behaviour change.
Nutrition practice application
Build research and critical thinking skills to deliver evidence-based, client-centred care within multidisciplinary teams.
Supervised placements
Food service explores the role of dietitians in menu planning, food safety, sustainability, quality and nutrition policy.
Apply learning in professional practice
Clinical placement
Demonstrate skills in independent case management of individuals in hospital settings through nutrition assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.
Community and public health nutrition placement
Apply evidence-based approaches to improve nutrition and health in community settings.
Build leadership and professional confidence
Understand ethics, collaboration and culturally responsive care. An elective placement of up to two weeks supports your career interests.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Dietetics, you must pass 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per semester and usually undertake two semesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Year 1 - Semester 1
Year 1 - Semester 2
PLUS
OR
Year 2 - Semester 1
PLUS
OR
*Enrolment into HSN745 will be determined by the Unit Chair.
#HSN758 – student must pass HSN742, HSN745 and HSN747 placements prior to enrolling into this unit.
^Indicates compulsory practicum core units required to complete in this course.
Note: All students are expected to be available to complete at least one regional placement.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Dietetics currently has full accreditation by Dietitians Australia. Students graduating from accredited courses are eligible to apply for full membership of Dietitians Australia and the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program and to work in all areas of dietetics.
All dietetics education programs in Australia are required to undergo an accreditation review process by Dietitians Australia every five years. Deakin is proud to offer the longest-running dietetics course in Victoria, having delivered a dietetics course since 1977. Course accreditation has been maintained since the Dietitians Australia accreditation process commenced.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Orientation for this course is mandatory and normally takes place the week prior to semester starting; i.e. the last week of January.
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
This is a full-time course that requires significant on-site attendance (for coursework and placements). In the first semester of the course, students can expect to attend on campus or at our partner hospital sites most days each week, with 20-30 hours of onsite learning each week. In the remaining two semesters, in addition to weeks with onsite and online learning, there are a minimum of 22 weeks of full-time placement spread over the two semesters. Students attend placement in line with the working hours of host placement sites (i.e. 37-40 hours per week) and will usually travel less than 1.5 hours each way.
You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
While this is a full-time on-site course, reasonable adjustments may be made under certain circumstances, for example, part-time enrolment in some semesters for students with a disability (see "participation requirements" below).
Most learning activities are on-site, across a combination of Deakin Burwood seminar spaces, kitchens and clinic simulation rooms, as well as via our partner organisations at hospitals and other health organisations. This facilitates interactive activities and group work which help prepare students for placement and for work as a dietitian.
The course involves compulsory placements of 10 weeks in a clinical setting, 7 weeks in a community setting, 4 weeks in a food service setting (all full-time) and 1 week in an elective setting. These placements may require travel to regional/rural areas, with all students expected to be available to complete at least one regional placement for 4-10 weeks (student accommodation can be organised by placement officers for short-term relocation).
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Work Integrated Learning
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills related to the professional practice of nutrition and dietetics, and achieve competency in dietetic practice through extensive professional practice placements. Professional practice placements provide you with applied experience in clinical, community and food service settings to develop discipline specific knowledge.
You will also develop research, critical thinking and communication skills throughout the course. Please note, the course (and a career in dietetics) requires a high level of interpersonal communication skills. Students not possessing such skills may have difficulty in meeting professional course requirements and successfully completing their studies.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Key semester dates for 2027. Units in this course are offered in semesters.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of the theory of human nutrition and dietetics and related practices in public health and food service, to support health-promoting food practices and provide nutrition care for individuals, communities and populations. |
| Communicate, adapt and translate information using a range of methods to reach a range of audiences including individuals, groups, communities, other professionals, stakeholders and partners. |
| Critically select and ethically use digital technologies to locate, collect, evaluate, synthesise, translate and share information, including solutions to applied problems of human nutrition and dietetics. |
| Collect and critically appraise relevant information to develop, implement, adapt and evaluate client-centred strategies that respond to the evidence in the broad landscape of dietetic practice, including clinical, food service, community and public health sectors. |
| Apply best practice, demonstrate initiative and respond effectively using an evidence-based framework to identify, research, analyse, generate and adapt solutions to a range of changing and complex nutrition and dietetic issues in the broad landscape of dietetic practice. |
| Employ reflective practice, personal and professional responsibility, accountability, ethical practice and autonomy to demonstrate professional judgement, adaptability to new situations and responsibility as a practitioner and lifelong learner in the field of nutrition and dietetics. |
| Work with a range of peers, disciplines and stakeholders, to advance nutrition and dietetic science and practice, and improve individual, community and population outcomes. |
| Participate in, implement and advocate for actions that promote the nutritional wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with respect and integrity. |
- Award granted
- Master of Dietetics
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H718
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 056059G Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$52,800
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Additional applicant information
Applicants must complete a prerequisite checklist as part of their application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to the Graduate Certificate of Health Research Practice (H541)
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Nutrition for Health (H518)