Anyone Can Call Themselves a “Nutritionist” or “Coach” in Australia. Here’s Why That Should Worry You.
We saw a story on 7NEWS Sydney recently, and we’re so glad it’s finally getting the attention it deserves.
A 19-year-old paid for a personalised diet and fitness plan from someone online. Seventeen hundred calories a day, loaded with processed food, sold with total confidence and zero qualifications behind it. She ended up with food intolerances, body dysmorphia and anxiety. And the person who sold it to her? Completely legal. Completely unregulated. Probably still operating.
That’s the part that should make all of us stop.
The loophole nobody talks about
In Australia, you can legally call yourself a “nutritionist” without a single day of formal study. The title isn’t protected. The same goes for “coach”. Anyone can put that word in their bio, charge vulnerable people real money, and walk away the moment it goes wrong.
This isn’t a grey area. It’s the law. The title “dietitian” is regulated, and Accredited Practising Dietitians are recognised by Medicare and the NDIS because they’ve completed a minimum four year university qualification and are held to professional standards. But “nutritionist” and “coach” carry no such protection. Qualifications in that space can range from a full science degree to a weekend online course, or nothing at all. The customer has no way of telling the difference from a polished Instagram grid.
That’s exactly how a teenager ends up paying for a plan that harms her, sold by someone who never had to prove they knew what they were doing.
Four questions to ask before you hand over your money or your trust
Before you trust anyone in this space with your health, ask them four things:
- What are your actual qualifications?
- Who accredits you?
- What professional bodies are you registered with?
- Can you show me proof?
A good coach will answer all four without hesitation. So will our team.
Our coaches are registered with multiple professional bodies. We complete our CPD (continuing professional development) points every single year. We’ve invested in the study, the memberships and the ongoing education, because the people who trust us with their health deserve nothing less.
Vet your coach like you’d vet any health professional
You’d research a doctor before you booked. You’d look into a physio or a dietitian. Your coach should be held to exactly the same standard, because you are putting your health in their hands. This is no different to vetting any other allied health professional.
And here’s a simple, practical step: check the registers. Independent professional bodies maintain public registries so you can confirm a practitioner is who they say they are.
- Sports Nutrition Association registry: search for a registered practitioner here: https://members.sportsnutritionassociation.com/registry/
- Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA): the NSA runs a voluntary registration scheme for qualified nutritionists, with a public registry on the way: https://www.nsa.asn.au/
If a practitioner is registered, you can verify it in seconds. If they’re not, that’s worth a conversation.
Do your homework. Ask the questions. You’re allowed to.
If someone gets defensive when you ask about their credentials, that tells you everything you need to know. A real professional will be glad you asked. It’s a sign you take your health seriously, and so should they.
You deserve a coach who can prove they’re the real deal.
This post reflects our view and general information about the current regulatory landscape in Australia. It isn’t individual medical or nutrition advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak with a qualified, registered professional.