Advancing Practice as a Dietitian
Tyarra Nelson & Jack Radford-Smith
Bodybuilding Dieticians
Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition
The world’s first and only industry ready Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition
The Graduate Diploma in Applied Sports Nutrition bridges the critical gap between academic knowledge and professional success. Designed by active practitioners who understand that 90%+ of sports nutrition work exists in private practice, this program creates ethical, evidence-based professionals who don’t just survive—they thrive.
03/11/2025
9-18 months online program
Online with monthly in person workshops available in Brisbane campus
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate, and relevant** Bachelors degrees
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Applied Sports Nutrition is the world’s first and only graduate diploma in sports nutrition that includes substantial practical experience. Unlike other programs that are purely theoretical, 50% of this program consists of supervised practical hours working with real clients.
This AQF Level 8 qualification provides 400+ hours of hands-on experience across individual consultations, team interventions, and specialized populations. You’ll graduate having already managed diverse client caseloads, delivered nutrition services in multiple settings, and built the confidence that only comes from supervised practice.
The program runs for 9-18 months depending on your chosen study load, with intakes in November and May. All practical work is supervised by openly accredited sports nutritionists, ensuring you develop industry-ready skills while maintaining professional standards.
Upon completion, graduates are eligible for open accreditation with the Sports Nutrition Association and meet ANZSCO occupation standards for practicing as a Nutritionist.
What you will learn
The Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition is a comprehensive, graduate-level program designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to excel as an Openly Accredited Sports Nutritionist.
Develop a highly comprehensive understanding of sports nutrition science. You’ll understand how nutrition and exercise interact, covering carbohydrate loading, protein synthesis, hydration strategies, and fat adaptation – learning not just what works, but why.
Through practical case studies, you’ll design evidence-based protocols for diverse athletic scenarios and combine nutritional biochemistry with exercise physiology to create sophisticated programs matching athletes’ metabolic demands.
Develop your skills to become capable as a legitimate researcher in sports nutrition. Review methodologies including Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, learning to separate quality evidence from questionable claims.
Develop skills to systematically search databases, evaluate study quality, and synthesise findings into actionable guidance. This unit enables evidence-based practice, helping you answer client questions with scientific support and translate complex science into practical applications.
Deliver cutting-edge individual coaching using the latest emerging technologies. Integrate wearables, apps, and data platforms into personalised programs that drive measurable results.
Develop expertise coaching youth athletes, masters athletes, and female athletes with specialized approaches for each population. Master both advanced coaching theories and the business side including sustainable service models and performance tracking.
Your existing client work counts directly toward practical hours (where applicable), meaning this qualification complements rather than interrupts your current practice.
Lead nutrition and performance programs for teams and organisations. Master group coaching challenges, from managing team dynamics to delivering presentations that create collective change.
Design scalable systems using emerging technology to monitor group performance while addressing individual needs. Develop skills in budget management, sustainable service models, and professional workshop delivery through comprehensive team nutrition programs.
Units 3 & 4 require 400+ hours of practical work. Your current coaching, presentations, and workshops count toward these hours (where applicable), allowing you to earn your qualification while building your practice. Graduate with substantial real-world experience, not just theory.
Prerequisites
Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) Assessment:
All applicants must complete an LLND assessment to ensure they possess the foundational skills necessary for the course.
Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in nutrition, exercise science, or a related health field provides the ideal foundation for this program. However, we recognize that industry experience and professional expertise come from diverse pathways. Applicants without traditional academic qualifications may be eligible through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where substantial professional experience in sports, fitness, or health sectors can be assessed for entry. The Graduate Certificate in Applied Sports Nutrition (11466NAT) also provides a direct pathway into the Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition
From $175 /week
Course details:
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4 Core Enterprise Units (with the option for additional specialty units)
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30 scored exams
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50 lectures + 20 additional learning videos
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10 case study assessments
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Multiple weekly tutorials
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400+ practical hours (where unlike other programs your current client load is able to contribute to this)
Who The Certification Is For
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Recent Graduates
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University Students
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Fitness Professionals
The Graduate Diploma is the next step in Australia’s only OSCA-compliant Sports Nutrition training framework
What Being Registered & Insured Looks Like
One of the best parts of our program is its flexibility — whether full-time or part-time, you can build a fulfilling career. Even with just 5–8 extra hours a week, members typically earn an additional $15,000–$60,000 per year (these figures are based on the most recent SNA member annual survey data).
Choose From Flexible Payment Options
Starting At $15,00 (Prices In AUD)
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$999 Deposit + Monthly
$1,000 / month
16 x Monthly Payments ($999 deposit) $16,999
$19,450 (NZ) $11,250 (US)
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Best Value
Upfront + Deposit
$15,000
$2000 Deposit + $13,000 $15,000 total
$17,150 (NZ) $9,950 (US)
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$999 Deposit + Weekly
$175 / week
101 x Weekly Payments ($999 deposit) $18,674 total
$20,000 (NZ) $11,575 (US)
The Roadmap To The Graduate Diploma Sports Nutrition
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Step 1
Plan your practical workload
Plan out how your existing client based work can compliment your practical assessment work, and identify where the gaps are and how to fill them. Then commence your prac! -
Step 2
Commence coursework
While completing your practical workload, you will commence coursework in advanced applied biosciences, then move into advanced research methods. -
Step 3
Refine your service delivery
Throughout the practical assessment work you will be implementing aspects of emerging technologies into your practice. Something here about their practice being better as a result.- Nutrition Business service
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Step 4
Graduate with eligibility for Open Accreditation
Graduate with a deep understanding and capability as an advanced practitioner in the Sports Nutrition profession
Empowering the Next
Generation of Experts
Direct and structured nutritional advice
Martin Refalo
Health & Fitness Coach
With SNA I feel confident knowing they’re insured
Tyson Brown
Fitness Instructor
Being able to build out my current base of knowledge
Anna Wishnowsky
Fitness Instructor
I only recommend SNA
Courtney
Fitness Instructor
The course exceeded my expectations
Jana Sterling Hammond
Fitness Instructor
Graduate Diploma FAQs
For the Graduate Certificate course is self-paced in that there are no set lecture times or workshops to attend. All lectures are on-demand in our learning platform to go through at a convenient time for you to study. There are Assessments with fixed due dates that you will need to adhere to. We recommend 12 – 20+ hours of study per week depending on prior experience. The standard Grad Cert program runs for up to 6-months and in the event you need to extend, paid extensions are available for up to a maximum of 2.5 years total study time.
For the Graduate Diploma it is more self directed and autonomous, as the program is constructed for practitioners with established clientele bases. The program still has fixed assessment due dates, but is more flexible than the graduate certificate. The standard Grad Cert program runs for up to 6-months and in the event you need to extend, paid extensions are available for up to a maximum of 3 years total study time.
The course is delivered entirely online with online tutorials delivered by the assessment team when getting close to assessment submission dates. These tutorials are recorded so they can be watched at a later date.
Personally Assigned Assessor Support – You will have your own personally assigned assessor
Support from Industry Experts – All assessors are degree qualified, Openly Accredited professional members who have completed the program
Real World Support – to start practicing with clients. All of our assessors are Permanent Part-Time employees who are currently practicing successfully with clients. They do to give back and believe in the Association’s vision & mission. They aren’t people who need a job and couldn’t cut it in private practice
Yes, on top of a formal application process we have the following entry pre-requisites:
Satisfying either one of the following pathways:
Direct Entry:
– Hold a minimum of a Bachelor Degree of higher qualification
Portfolio Entry:
– Hold a minimum of an AQF level 4 qualification in a relevant discipline (personal training. fitness, nutrition coaching), and
– Have at least 2 years relevant experience within the past 5 years (e.g. personal trainer, S&C coach, nutrition related services & industry), or
– The above mentioned experience with the satisfactory completion of our capabilities assessment
Please note: All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
If you are a non-native English speaking person having an English Literacy (IELTS as an example) score of 5.5 as a minimum to ensure that you will be able to comprehend and effectively learn the english delivered scientific language used to deliver the certificate.