What is an Accredited Practising Dietitian?
Accredited Practising Dietitians
Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) have the qualifications and skills to provide expert nutrition and dietary advice to both groups and individuals. They have sound university qualifications, undertake ongoing training and education and comply with DAA’s guidelines for best practice as well as DAA Professional Standards.
APDs are trained to assess an individuals diet in order to help treat a wide range of conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancers, gastrointestinal diseases, food allergies, food intolerance’s as well as overweight and obesity.
APDs are able to translate scientific information about nutrition into practical advice about what to eat for better health.
APDs:
- Assess individual nutritional needs
- Develop personalised eating plans
- Sort out nutrition fact from fiction
- Undertake nutrition and food research
- Train health care professionals
- Develop nutrition communications, programs and policies.
APDs work in a diverse range of fields including:
- Patient care in hospitals and nursing homes
- Community nutrition and public health
- Consultancy and private practice
- Food service management
- Food and medical nutrition industries
- Public relations
- Marketing and communications
- Government
- Research and teaching.
APD is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. It is a recognised trademark protected by law.
Seeing an APD for personal dietary advice
APDs working in private practice, community health centres and hospitals see individual clients and may run group nutrition educations sessions. Most private health funds provide rebates for visits to private practising APDs. A referral is not necessary to see an APD although it may help them to understand your dietary needs and health background.
Medicare initiatives provide rebates for visits to APDs treating chronic health conditions under a care plan coordinated by a general practitioner. Medicare rebates are now also payable for group services provided by eligible diabetes educators, exercise physiologist and APDs for people with type 2 diabetes, on referral from a GP. Contact Medicare for further information about rebates.
To find an APD near you see ‘Find an APD’ on this website.
Accredited Nutritionist (AN)
Accredited Nutritionists (AN)are tertiary qualified nutrition professionals that have expertise in a range of nutrition services including public health nutrition, community health and tertiary education related to nutrition, but excluding individual dietary counselling, group therapy and medical nutrition therapy. APDs can choose to use the APD and/or AN credential.
Advanced APD (AdvAPD)
AdvAPDsare professional leaders in nutrition and dietetics who demonstrate a range of high-level skills in their professional work. AdvAPDs understand the wider context of dietetics and have skills in business, planning, staff supervision, resource management and industrial relations issues. Dietitians are awarded the AdvAPD credential after undergoing assessment by DAA.
DAA Fellow (FDAA)
DAA Fellows are high profile and proactive leaders who use their nutrition and dietetic skills and influence to enhance the health of the community. DAA Fellows demonstrate the attributes of an AdvAPD at a broader and higher level. They have made an outstanding contribution to nutrition and dietetics and are recognised as experts nationally and internationally. The fellow credential is considered an honour by the Association.