Accreditation of university programs

Accrediting university programs ensures a high standard of dietetics education in Australia. University programs must meet our standards to achieve accreditation. It usually takes about 12 months to get a program accredited.

We work with universities to ensure their dietetics programs meet the profession's needs, now and into the future.

We evaluate accredited programs against the National Competency Standards for Dietitians.

To become an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), graduates need to hold an accredited degree.

We ensure a high standard of dietetic education through our accreditation process and standards.

Dietitians Australia's role

Dietitians Australia is the accrediting authority for dietetics degrees in Australia. We review and accredit university programs in line with our standards.

Australian Dietetics Council's role

The Australian Dietetics Council (ADC) is the governance arm of our accreditation program. The ADC gives expert, independent and strategic advice on accreditation and recognition matters.

On this page:

Accreditation standards

An accredited dietetics program must meet and maintain our accreditation standards.

Read our full Accreditation Standards for Dietetics Education Programs.

Accrediting a dietetics program

Accreditation process

Our accreditation processes explain what's involved in accrediting a dietetics program.

Our processes cover:

provisional accreditation
full accreditation
re-accreditation
overseas placement site approvals
termination and withdrawal
decision reviews

Provisional accreditation

Provisional accreditation allows new programs to become accredited before any students graduate. This means graduates of provisionally accredited programs can join the APD Program.

Provisional accreditation is valid for up to 2 years.

Apply at least 12 months before the program's first cohort of students graduate.

Full accreditation and re-accreditation

Programs with provisional accreditation must get full accreditation when the provisional term ends.

Programs with full accreditation must be re-accredited when their accreditation term ends.

Full accreditation is valid for up to 5 years.

Apply at least 12 months before your current accreditation ends.

Expected timeline

Accreditation usually takes about 12 months from the time of your application.

Key accreditation stages

University submits an accreditation application.
Review of application and requests for further information.
Hold a site visit.
Conduct professional stakeholder surveys.
Complete review report.
Make a final decision.

The timeline can vary depending on the program

Notification of changes to a dietetics program

A university must notify us of any changes to a program. This includes a program that is the subject of:

an accreditation status
an application for an accreditation status

You must notify the ADC in writing of any changes to accreditationadmin@dietitiansaustralia.org.au

The below table is a guide on what and when changes should be reported.

Major change		Minor change
Any significant change to the existing program or its delivery that may affect adherence to the Accreditation Standards or competence of graduates, such as, but not limited to, staffing, enrolments, curriculum, placements and assessment. A major change may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following: change in program length change in award title significant changes in curriculum content (addition or removal of subjects) and/or structure of curriculum significant change in teaching methods and/or assessment change in Discipline Lead significant change in resources (human and/or financial) for the delivery of the program change in institutional setting including the addition of a geographical location at which the program is offered. To determine if a change is considered a ‘major change’, the ADC may request further information. If there are one or more major changes determined by the ADC, re-assessment of the accreditation status may be needed.		Any change to a program that doesn't impact its accreditation or competence of graduates due to factors such as staffing, enrolments, curriculum, placements and assessment A minor change may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following: change in degree name ONLY (without any changes to curriculum content) change in teaching staff where there is minimal impact on ability to deliver the program as it was accredited change in placement sites/offerings change in student enrolments/numbers changes in curriculum as part of ongoing quality improvement and assurance processes.
You must notify us before the changes are implemented.		There is an opportunity to provide minor updates (including a response to previous accreditation recommendations) in the annual report.

Major change

Minor change

Any significant change to the existing program or its delivery that may affect adherence to the Accreditation Standards or competence of graduates, such as, but not limited to, staffing, enrolments, curriculum, placements and assessment.

A major change may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

change in program length
change in award title
significant changes in curriculum content (addition or removal of subjects) and/or structure of curriculum
significant change in teaching methods and/or assessment
change in Discipline Lead
significant change in resources (human and/or financial) for the delivery of the program
change in institutional setting including the addition of a geographical location at which the program is offered.

To determine if a change is considered a ‘major change’, the ADC may request further information. If there are one or more major changes determined by the ADC, re-assessment of the accreditation status may be needed.

Any change to a program that doesn't impact its accreditation or competence of graduates due to factors such as staffing, enrolments, curriculum, placements and assessment

A minor change may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

change in degree name ONLY (without any changes to curriculum content)
change in teaching staff where there is minimal impact on ability to deliver the program as it was accredited
change in placement sites/offerings
change in student enrolments/numbers
changes in curriculum as part of ongoing quality improvement and assurance processes.

When to notify us

You must notify us before the changes are implemented.

There is an opportunity to provide minor updates (including a response to previous accreditation recommendations) in the annual report.

For more information, refer to section 1.4 of the Processes for Accreditation of Dietetics Education Programs.

Processes in detail

Read our full Processes for Accreditation of Dietetics Education Programs.

Accrediting new dietetics programs

If you're developing a new dietetics program, you first need to apply for program qualification.

Program qualification allows your university to evaluate your dietetics program. This helps make sure it's ready before you apply for provisional accreditation.

Apply at least 12 months before the first students enrol.

Read our full Process for Qualification of New Dietetics Education Programs.

Find programs with program qualification status.

Providing evidence for your program

Our evidence guide helps you understand how to show that your program meets the accreditation standards.

Read our full Evidence Guide for Dietetics Education Program Providers.

Fee schedule

We charge fees for accrediting a dietetic education program.

See our current accreditation fees.

Get in touch

If you have questions about accrediting your dietetics program, contact us at accreditationadmin@dietitiansaustralia.org.au

University programs

A full list of dietetics programs accredited by Dietitians Australia. You usually need an accredited degree to become an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).

Accreditation fees and charges

Our fees for the accreditation of a dietetic education program and to maintain the accreditation. See our fees.

Australian Dietetics Council

The Australian Dietetics Council (ADC) is the governance structure for our accreditation and recognition services and has been operating since 1 July 2009.