Nutrition, dietetics & food innovation

Shaping the future of health & food industries

More than ever, the world needs big-picture thinkers who can tackle current and future problems from a holistic lens. One of the greatest challenges of our time is uplifting and maintaining strong health outcomes for all. This requires a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention to create healthier, more resilient communities. 

Three disciplines at the centre of this effort are nutrition, dietetics and food innovation. How we feed and fuel our families, how we manage food systems, and how we produce, manufacture and distribute food – all contribute fundamentally to the health and prosperity of global communities.

The role of nutrition, dietetics & food innovation

Nutrition science explores the nutrients in food, how the body uses them, and the relationship between diet, health and disease. It incorporates elements of biology, biochemistry, human physiology and human nutrition.

Dietetics is an allied health profession that applies the science of food and nutrition to optimise health, treat illnesses and prevent the onset of chronic diseases. A dietitian can help people manage health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases, obesity and food allergies. Dietitians play a vital role in improving public health by educating people on the importance of healthy eating.

Food innovation examines all aspects of the food value chain, from agriculture, food science, food manufacturing and the retail sector, through to innovations and digital technologies. It looks at how we can improve the food system to address food equity and sustainability challenges. Engagement with food systems and food industry provides opportunities for the dietitians of the future.

Join one of the world’s top five medicine and health faculties*

UNSW Medicine & Health is creating the leaders of tomorrow. We have connections with some of Australia’s best hospitals, private practices and health organisations. You’ll be learning in world-class facilities across our Kensington campus, rural and metropolitan teaching hospitals, and research centres and institutes. Our $1B commitment to developing dedicated health precincts around the state will open up opportunities for a broad range of clinical placements in Sydney and beyond. 

As Australia's #1 university for research impact, our Medicine & Health research directly changes health policy and practice to meaningfully improve health outcomes for communities. You can get involved in initiatives within our seven research centres and institutes, including the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, where nutrition plays a vital role in health promotion and disease prevention. 

^{*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023}

Prepare for career success

With a background in nutrition, dietetics and food innovation, you could pursue roles in dietetics, consulting, advocacy, research, government, health promotion, food business/marketing/sustainability, product development, food not-for-profit organisations and agriculture.

Dietitians offer a range of services to help people manage their nutritional requirements, including medical nutrition therapy, food service management, sports nutrition and public health nutrition. Dietitians work across a range of settings, including hospitals, private practices, research organisations, and within health and food industries.

Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are eligible to receive rebates through Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and a large range of health insurance funds.

The difference between dietitians and nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists help people navigate the connection between food and health. However, there are differences in qualifications and regulation for each profession. In Australia, the dietetic profession is regulated and requires dietitians to graduate with an approved degree from an Australian university. Unlike dietitians, nutritionists are not qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy or work in hospitals and cannot receive Government applied rebates for services.