Dietitian vs Nutritionist: What’s the Difference?

While these two titles are often used interchangeably, they are distinct. Both focus on food and health, but they differ significantly in terms of training, regulation, and the services they offer.

What Is a Dietitian?

A dietitian is a university-qualified, regulated health professional trained in both nutrition science and clinical care. In Australia, dietitians who are members of Dietitians Australia and maintain ongoing professional development can use the title Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).

Dietitians can:

• Provide nutrition care for medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, coeliac disease, heart disease and strokes)

 Click here for a comprehensive list of conditions supported by dietetics

• Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational)

• Cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease)

• Chronic kidney disease

• Liver disease (e.g., fatty liver, cirrhosis)

• Cancer (support during and after treatment)

• Osteoporosis and osteopenia

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Coeliac disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Diverticular disease

• Food intolerances (e.g., FODMAPs, lactose intolerance)

• Pancreatitis

• Short bowel syndrome

• Gastroparesis

• Overweight and obesity

• Underweight and malnutrition

• Unintentional weight loss

• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder)

• Disordered eating

• Pre- and post-bariatric surgery nutrition

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• Fertility and preconception nutrition

• Pregnancy and postnatal nutrition

• Gestational diabetes

• Menopause and perimenopause nutrition

• Infant and toddler feeding

• Fussy eating in children

• Food allergies and anaphylaxis

• Failure to thrive in children

• Constipation (children and adults)

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) nutrition

• Sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss)

• Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

• Parkinson’s disease

• Stroke recovery nutrition

• Nutrition for mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar)

• Stress-related eating and emotional eating

• Gut-brain axis support

• Sports and performance nutrition

• Athlete meal planning and recovery nutrition

• NDIS participant nutrition support

• Tube feeding and enteral nutrition

• Nutrition for My Aged Care clients

• Offer personalised meal plans and evidence-based advice

• Work in hospitals, aged care, disability services, or private clinics

• Be referred under Medicare, NDIS, or DVA funding

At Dig In Health Co, our areas of expertise include.

• Weight Loss

• Diabetes Management

• Post Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Stroke Rehabilitation

• Low Carb Diet Solutions

What Is a Nutritionist?

In Australia, the title "nutritionist" is not regulated, allowing anyone to use it irrespective of their training. Nonetheless, many nutritionists possess formal qualifications in nutrition science and contribute significantly to health promotion, education, and food literacy.

At Dig In Health Co., our Therapy assistants hold a Bachelor of Nutrition and collaborate with our dietitians to offer practical, hands-on support, particularly for clients receiving assistance through NDIS or My Aged Care.

What Can a Nutritionist or Therapy Assistant Help With?

Our Nutritionist Therapy assistants can support clients in the real-world application of dietary advice, including:

• Meal planning and preparation assistance

• Cooking support and kitchen confidence

• Shopping tours and label reading

• Food exposure and skill-building

• One-on-one coaching sessions under the recommendations of a dietitian

• Encouragement and motivation for building healthy habits

This service is ideal for clients who:

• Are NDIS participants that need practical supports for better nutrition outcomes

• Need support transitioning into independent living or aged care

• Want to build cooking confidence, plan meals or manage executive functioning challenges

• Benefit from both education and practical help

  
  

  Choosing Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist: Which is Right for You?

Feature	Dietitian	Nutritionist / Nutrition Assistant
Minimum education	Bachelor/Master’s in Dietetics	Varies – from certificates to university qualifications
Can treat clinical conditions	Yes	No (unless also qualified dietitian)
Regulated & accredited	Yes (APD via Dietitians Australia)	Not regulated in Australia
Can be funded under Medicare, NDIS, Aged Care	Yes	Sometimes, under supervision
Offers practical support (e.g. meal prep)	Sometimes	Yes
Ideal for	Managing medical conditions, chronic disease	Building skills, routines, and food confidence

When Should You Choose a Nutritionist or Therapy Assistant?

A nutritionist or therapy assistant might be right for you if:

• You’re looking for help with day-to-day food choices, cooking skills, or meal prep

• You don’t have a medical condition but want to eat healthier

• You are a NDIS participant or My Aged Care client seeking assistance to reach your nutrition-related objectives

• You want practical, in-home or community-based assistance with putting your nutrition plan into action

  

At Dig In Health Co., our Therapy assistants collaborate with our dietitians to provide you with expert guidance and practical support tailored to your lifestyle.

A Team-Based Approach

Our unique approach combines expert clinical guidance from our dietitians with on-the-ground support from our nutrition therapy assistants. This model is especially helpful for:

• NDIS participants with psychosocial or developmental needs

• Older adults seeking to maintain independence

• Veterans and carers requiring gentle, trauma-informed health support

This supportive, team-based approach helps our clients feel empowered, capable, and supported at every step of their health journey.

Conclusion: Which One Is Right for You?

Selecting between a dietitian and a nutritionist hinges on your specific objectives and health requirements. For those with medical conditions or in need of personalized, evidence-based guidance, a dietitian is the preferred choice. If your focus is on daily food habits or gaining confidence in cooking, our nutrition therapy assistants provide empathetic, practical support. Make sure to choose a practitioner experienced in the health area where you seek assistance.

Let’s Work Together

Want to know how our dietitians or therapy assistants can support you or a loved one?

Our service area extends from the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island to North Brisbane, available in clinic, online, or at home. Book online at www.diginhealthco.com.au

or email us admin@diginhealthco.com.au