Nutrition and Dietetics is a science-based health discipline that trains students to assess, diagnose, and manage the nutritional needs of individuals and communities. Courses are closely related to life sciences and teach students how to improve human health and well-being through evidence-based dietary strategies, healthy eating habits, and lifestyle interventions. Students gain deep knowledge of human physiology, biochemistry, food science, and medical nutrition therapy, preparing them to work across clinical, community, public health, aged care, and food service settings. The field is grounded in the philosophy that dietitians are scientists with a special focus on nutrition — bioscience, chemistry, physiology, and biochemistry typically comprise at least 50% of study in accredited undergraduate programs. Graduates are equipped to deliver personalised dietary counselling, develop meal plans, manage chronic diseases through nutrition, and lead public health nutrition initiatives. Accredited programs are overseen by Dietitians Australia, the peak professional body, which ensures all degrees meet the National Competency Standards required to work as an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) in Australia. Employers of nutrition and dietetics graduates span a wide range of sectors: public and private hospitals, community health centres, aged care facilities, general practices, private clinics, government health departments, the sports and fitness industry, food manufacturing companies, schools, universities, and international health organisations. The distinction between a nutritionist and a dietitian is significant — only graduates of Dietitians Australia–accredited programs are eligible to become APDs, Australia's most trusted and regulated dietetics professionals.

Entry requirements for Nutrition and Dietetics courses in Australia vary depending on whether students are entering an undergraduate or postgraduate program. For undergraduate bachelor programs (typically 4 years with Honours), students generally require a competitive ATAR or Selection Rank, which ranged from approximately 70 to the mid-90s for dietetics programs commencing in 2025, depending on the institution and campus. Prerequisite secondary school subjects commonly include biology, chemistry, and in some cases mathematics or physical education. Some programs also require completion of a specific combination of Year 12 subjects in the sciences. Students applying for postgraduate masters programs (typically 2 years) must hold a relevant bachelor degree in health or science that covers required content in human biosciences and food and nutrition science — bioscience, chemistry, physiology, and biochemistry must typically comprise the appropriate proportion of the undergraduate degree. Prerequisite subjects may include human nutrition, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and a competitive GPA is required. Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree at a different university may still be eligible to apply, and some credit may be available for prior study. International and non-English-speaking background students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency — from 2024, an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with no sub-score below 7.0 (or equivalent) is a common requirement across accredited programs. Additional requirements for many programs include a valid Working with Children Check (or Blue Card in Queensland), up-to-date vaccinations as required for clinical placements, and in some cases an annual respirator fit test for students entering clinical placement settings.