Course essentials
ATAR
If you receive an ATAR equal to or above the guaranteed ATAR, and meet the course prerequisites and any extra requirements, you're guaranteed a place.
A lowest adjusted ATAR shows the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) offered a place last year. It's not a guaranteed entry score and changes annually.
Lowest adjusted 50.80
Guaranteed 60.00
Entry requirements
Credit
A full-time study load is 120 credits a year (usually four 15-credit units each semester). 120 credits equal one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Each credit point equals about 10 hours of learning, so a 15-credit unit means roughly 150 hours.
Study mode
Study modes tell you how teaching and learning will be delivered for your course and include where and when classes can be scheduled, what you'll do and the tech you'll use.
Duration
Start dates
05 October 2026
25 January 2027
19 April 2027
12 July 2027
04 October 2027
Locations
Course overview
By studying a combination of science, wellbeing and business principles, you’ll gain core skills needed to support community health, or to start your own business as a nutritional advisor. You’ll explore how food impacts physical health and lifestyle, while studying key principles in nutrition, human physiology, human behaviour, health promotion and business management.
You will gain an understanding of how social and cultural practices impact food, allowing you to take a holistic approach when supporting people and organisations with their nutritional choices. You will gain the confidence to work as a nutritionist in health or fitness facilities, or as a nutritional advisor in the food industry.
Upon completion of your studies, you’ll be able to apply to register with the Nutrition Society of Australia. Whether you’re interested in becoming a consultant, a nutritionist in the food industry, or in public health, you’ll be playing a key role in preventing non-communicable disease and promoting healthy lifestyles in Australia.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Science
Course co-ordinator
Zil a Rubab
Career paths
Nutritionist
Nutritional Consultant
Nutrition Promotion Officer
Food Industry Nutrition Consultant
Professional recognition
You can apply to register with the Nutrition Society of Australia upon graduation.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Teaching Period 3, 2026
13 July 2026
Locations
Federation University Online
Teaching Period 4, 2026
5 October 2026
Locations
Federation University Online
Teaching Period 1, 2027
25 January 2027
Locations
Federation University Online
Teaching Period 2, 2027
19 April 2027
Locations
Federation University Online
Teaching Period 3, 2027
12 July 2027
Locations
Federation University Online
Teaching Period 4, 2027
4 October 2027
Locations
Federation University Online
Information
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa.
Contact hours
12-15 contact hours are estimated for one 15 credit point unit, while 24-30 are expected for those studying two 15 credit point units or one 30 credit point unit.
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Introduction to Nutrition15 credit pointsSCBCH1001
- Scientific Communication15 credit pointsSCCOR1200
- Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Nutrition 215 credit pointsSCBFN1002
- Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviour15 credit pointsSCBFN1003
- Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Nutrition 115 credit pointsSCBFN1001
Elective
- Chemistry for Health & Nutrition15 credit pointsSCCHM1000
Elective
- Biochemistry for Health and Nutrition15 credit pointsSCBCH2000
- Pathophysiology 115 credit pointsSCMED2010
- Nutrition for Health and Exercise15 credit pointsSCBFN2002
- Pathophysiology 215 credit pointsSCMED2011
- Population and Global Health Perspectives15 credit pointsSCBFN2001
Elective
- Lifespan Nutrition15 credit pointsSCBCH3001
Elective
- Lifespan Human Development15 credit pointsSCBFN2003
- Health and Behaviour Change15 credit pointsSCBFN3002
- Behaviour in the Workplace15 credit pointsBEHAV2003
- Science Communication Project15 credit pointsSCCOR3002
- Nutritional Diversity in the Australian Population15 credit pointsSCBFN3003
Elective
- Health Promotion15 credit pointsSCBFN3001
Elective
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
Applicants will have completed the equivalent of Victorian Year 12 with an English mark of at least 20; and a study score of at least 20 in one of any Mathematics or any Science.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Non-Year 12 applicants must have a HE or VET background and/or relevant work/life experience and must complete a personal statement.
English language requirements
Overall IELTS band score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent will be required.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3702312061 - Federation University Online
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- FN5
Non-Year 12 applicants must have completed a minimum of 1 unit of study in HE with results at pass level or VET qualification at Certificate III or higher.
Admission criteria for applications with work and life experience: substantive experience in a role with a degree of responsibility and must complete a personal statement.