Public Health Nutrition
An opportunity to promote nutrition and health across communities and populations
What do dietitians in Public Health and Community Nutrition do?
Dietitians in Public Health work to improve the health of populations, with a focus on nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention. Public health nutrition exists within an extensive infrastructure of government and non-government organisations, service and program delivery systems and the food supply system covering production through to consumption.
Dietitians in Community Nutrition work to improve the health of their local community, with a focus on providing nutrition information to individuals and small groups, and working with diverse population groups in a community setting.
Where are the jobs?
Non-government, not-for-profit and/or health promotion organisations, in Australia and internationally (e.g. Nutrition Australia, Diabetes Vic, Kitchen Garden Foundation, International Committee of the Red Cross)
Local, regional, national and international government (e.g. Department of Health, FSANZ)
Community settings (community health services, local councils)
Research (universities, consultancy)
Employment can be permanent or short term / project-based positions
Job titles to search
Public health dietitian / nutritionist
Community dietitian / nutritionist
Health promotion / public health officer
Nutrition promotion / policy
Project manager
Research assistant
Skills required for the job
Program planning, implementation and evaluation
Project management skills
Communications skills, including counselling, consultation, education, facilitation
Food and nutrition policy development
Teamwork, partnership & collaboration skills
Advocacy skills
Passion for improving the lives of others through health and nutrition
How to develop your skills
Maximise active participation, initiative and networking during your Dietetics course Community Nutrition Placement, and look for opportunities to be involved in the dissemination of your project work
Work towards the Deakin Dietetics Hallmark in Communication
Engage in mentoring with someone who works in your area of interest
Join, participate and/or volunteer within professional organisations such as Dietitians Association of Australia, Nutrition Australia, Public Health Association Australia, Nutrition Society of Australia
Volunteer for relevant activities in community organisations
Attend professional development events and set yourself a goal to meet two new people every time you attend
What units or courses to study at Deakin
Masters of Dietetics (H718)
Graduate profile
Watch Jenny Reimers, Dietitian and Principal Program Officer – Healthy Eating at VicHealth