Course Overview

About This Course

The Master of Dietetic Practice is a 2-year full-time program. Dietetic practice is the application of the science of food and nutrition across a range of domains to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. The course combines theory and practice placement across dietetic practice areas including food and nutrition counselling with individuals, food and nutrition education and capacity building with groups, public health nutrition, food production and provision to individuals, communities and populations, entrepreneurial dietetic practice and management, and research. ACU highlights the volume and variety of placement experiences, the inclusion of traditional and emerging areas of practice such as culinary nutrition science, and a focus on solving food and nutrition problems. Students complete a minimum of 132 days of practice placement, including a 15-day 'engaging with communities' placement, which exceeds the minimum of 100 days required for accreditation by Dietitians Australia, and all students complete at least one regional, rural or interstate placement; international placement is also offered but is voluntary. Depending on the admission requirement met, students complete 140, 150 or 160 credit points made up of specified units, culinary nutrition units, professional practice units and an international or community engagement placement unit, and may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science after 20 credit points of culinary nutrition units and 20 credit points of specified units. The course has been granted accreditation with Dietitians Australia, and graduates are eligible for membership with dietetics qualifications and for the Accredited Practising Dietitian program. Commonwealth Supported Places are available, and the course is offered at ACU's Melbourne and North Sydney campuses.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $9,880

Duration

2 years full-time

Intakes

Professional Term 2 - February 2027

Study Mode

Full-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Dietetic Practice, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
Admission Requirement A - Pathway 1 (140cp)
a. ACU's Bachelor of Nutrition Science which includes completion of the ACU units NUTR404 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science and NUTR405 Foods for Special Diets, AND one of the following:
- a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0 on the ACU 7 point scale; or
- evidence of relevant industry experience for at least one year post-Bachelor graduation.
OR
Admission Requirement B - Pathway 2 (150cp)
b. ACU's Bachelor of Nutrition Science which includes completion of the ACU unit NUTR404 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science, AND one of the following:
- a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0 on the ACU 7 point scale; or
- evidence of relevant industry experience for at least one year post-Bachelor graduation.
OR
Admission Requirement C - Pathway 3 (160cp)
c. A Bachelor degree in Nutrition (or equivalent) which includes:
- One study unit of Chemistry;
- Two study units each of Biochemistry, and of Human Biology and Human Physiology;
- Four study units in Food and Human Nutrition Science, which must include foundation nutrition, nutrition through the lifespan, food science, and diet in the development and management of chronic disease;
AND one of the following:
- a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0 on the ACU 7 point scale; or
- evidence of relevant industry experience for at least one year post-Bachelor graduation; or
- completion of ACU's Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science with a GPA of at least 5.0 on the ACU 7 point scale.
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU's Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science may be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 40 credit points.
Admission processes for this course prioritise applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in line with ACU's Widening Participation Plan, an approach ACU extends to applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

If you are an international applicant you will need the equivalent of an Australian bachelor's degree. You will also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements. ACU publishes no course-specific English test score for this course.
ACU publishes the same Admission Requirements A, B and C (above) in its international view of this course, so the pathway prerequisites apply to international applicants as well.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Employment for graduates will be across a range of sectors and depend in part on the interests of the graduate.
• Acute health services e.g. hospitals
• Community health services
• Aged care facilities
• Private practice/consulting
• Food and nutrition communication/media
• Food production and provision
• National and international health agencies
• State and federal government health departments
• Public health nutrition
• Food industry
• Food science and technology
• Food safety and regulation
• Food research and product development
• Education sector

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Dietitians Australia (DA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Dietitians Australia

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units15 units

NUTR501

Contemporary Dietetic Practice Theory and Application

NUTR502

Dietetic Practice with Individuals

NUTR503

Dietetic Practice with Groups

NUTR505

Research in Food Nutrition and Dietetics 1

NUTR601

Entrepreneurial Dietetic Practice

NUTR602

Research in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics 2

NUTR605

Dietetic Practice and Management

NUTR606

Dietetic Practice Through Advocacy and Policy

NUTR500

Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science in Practice

NUTR504

Foods for Special Diets in Practice

NUTR600

Individual Case Management Theory and Placement

NUTR604

Practice Placement 2

NUTR607

Practice Placement 3

NUTR608

Practice Placement 4

NUTR603

Engaging with Communities

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Master of Dietetic Practice take to complete?

The Master of Dietetic Practice at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 104 weeks (approximately 2 years).

Is there a work placement component in this course?

Yes. Students complete a minimum of 132 days of practice placement, which includes a 15-day 'engaging with communities' placement. This exceeds the minimum of 100 days required to meet Dietitians Australia accreditation requirements, and all students must complete at least one regional, rural or interstate placement. International placement is also offered on a voluntary basis.

How much does the Master of Dietetic Practice cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$94,016 in tuition fees, with no additional non-tuition fees listed, making the total estimated course cost AU$94,016.

Where can I study the Master of Dietetic Practice?

The Master of Dietetic Practice is offered at two ACU campus locations: the North Sydney Campus in New South Wales and the Melbourne Campus in Victoria, both owned and operated by the provider.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Master's degree) with a duration of 104 weeks (exceeding the 92-week threshold), and its narrow field of education (Nutrition and Dietetics) aligns with the Skills Level 1 priority list. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

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