The Dietitian and Nutritionist Regulatory Council (DNRC) is the governance structure responsible for overseeing the profession's regulatory functions. It aims to protect the public by ensuring practitioners are safe and effective in their practice and to uphold our professional standards.
The main functions of the Dietitian and Nutritionist Regulatory Council (DNRC) are to:
- set the strategic plan for regulatory functions of the profession
- define and regulate professional conduct and credentialing standards
- oversee complaints against our credentialed dietitians and nutritionists
- govern accreditation standards and accreditation of training programs
- govern qualifications for entry into the profession
View the DNRC Terms of Reference.
DNRC composition
The DNRC comprises of 7 voting members appointed by the Dietitians Australia Board for a 3 year term.
The composition of the DNRC will include:
- Chairperson: appointed by the Board from among the dietetic members of the Council for a three-year term. The Chairperson cannot concurrently hold office as a Director of Dietitians Australia.
- Deputy Chairperson: a member of the Council appointed by the Council, serving concurrently with the Chairperson's term.
- Members: 7 voting members, including the Chair, appointed by the Board for a 3 year term with an option for a second 3 year term, comprising:
- 5 senior dietitians
- 2 external representatives: 1 member with accreditation and/or credentialling expertise from another profession and 1 representative with regulatory experience.
- To ensure continuity of membership, 2 dietitian members and 1 of the external appointees shall retire after the first year as determined by lot but are eligible to be appointed.
- Secretariat: as appointed by the CEO (non-voting).
- Staff: Head of Regulatory Services (non-voting).
BSc, MNutDiet, MPH, Grad Cert Hlth Prof Ed, PhD, FDA, PFHEA
Claire is the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
As an active Fellow of the profession, Claire has held numerous leadership positions including Dietitians Australia Board Director from 2007 to 2011, previous Chair of the Australian Dietetics Council and Associate Editor for Nutrition & Dietetics journal.
She has forged a research career in competency-based assessment and workforce development and has led the trans-Tasman community of practice for dietetics educators that seeks to advance research and its translation to practice in dietetics education.
Claire has been an academic since 2004 and graduated over 1000 students into the profession. Her exceptional work in this area has been recognised through award of a national teaching citation (2016), teaching excellence award (2017), and a national office for learning and teaching fellowship (2014).
Members to be confirmed following recruitment.
GAICD; M Bus; Grad Dip Mgt; BAppSc (Sp Path); Life Member SPA
Gail is highly experienced across the allied health and professional association sectors over 40-plus years, much of which involved the executive management and governance of health and allied health peak body organisations, and high-level representation and advocacy across health, disability, early childhood and aged care sectors.
Most recently, Gail was the Chief Executive Officer of Speech Pathology Australia, which included oversight of the key functions and processes for professional competency standards, regulation, certification, university accreditation and ethical conduct.
Additionally, Gail held Director positions with Allied Health Professions Australia and the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions. Supporting broader allied health representation, Gail received ministerial appointments to the Federal Government’s Primary Health Reform and 10 Year Plan Steering Committee, and the National Aged Care Advisory Council.
Gail maintains a high level of passion around the governance and regulation of health professions, with an emphasis on ensuring the community has access to and benefits from evidence-based and quality health services. Recently, Gail was also appointed as Independent Chair of the AASW Accreditation Council.
Gail's qualifications include a Master of Business, Graduate Diploma of Management, Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors, and in 2023 was awarded Life Membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
FCHSM, CHE
Tanya Trevena is a compassionate, curious and outcome-oriented Executive Leader with wealth of transformation-related experiences gained across GM operational roles within health, aged care and community services. Tanya has built a reputation for solving complex problems and leading multifaceted change management across industries and environments. Tanya sets teams up for success with clear expectations, a vision, and trust to deliver the outcomes with necessary governance, systems and processes in place. Tanya is passionate about making a difference, and ensuring services are sustainable for the long term. In her spare time, Tanya can be found walking her dog, doing Pilates, sensibly enjoying a glass of red wine, exploring the world, reading and learning, supporting children in foster care, or finding a small project around the house.
Further information
For further information on the DNRC please contact regulation@dietitiansaustralia.org.au