Our history
50 years of
NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Four of the thirteen dietetic students from the (Graduate) Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics from 1982-1983

The initial years
(1976-1985)

The first dietetics course was established at Flinders in 1976 with the introduction of the Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics. This program was largely set up as a result of advocacy by the profession in South Australia. The Flinders programs have proceeded to make a major contribution to the Dietetics profession in South Australia over the next 50 years.

The diploma was originally a 12month course consisting of only one topic and a 15week internship. During this period students undertook three terms of study (each of ten weeks duration) in the Flinders Medical Centre and an additional fifteen weeks in an internship at an approved institution. Initially the program was the only non-medical course in the School of Medicine at what was then the Flinders University of South Australia. Close ties with Flinders Medical Centre were to provide unique opportunities for teaching and research for students.

Dr Alan Stewart was the inaugural Head of Department. There were only 12 students admitted to the program in each year.

1986-1995

In 1986 there was the introduction of the graduate entry 2 year Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course which ceased in 1990. In 1991 The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University developed the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, replacing the Graduate Diploma as an alternate entry point for graduates with a first degree to a professional qualification in Dietetics at the postgraduate level. Intake was every two years.

Graduating Class of 1989/1990

Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates 20 years in 1986

1996-2005

This was a period of growth for dietetics in SA. In 1999 the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (4 years) commenced, with annual student intakes. From 2000 there were annual intakes of students for the Master of Nutrition and Dietetic program.

2005- 2015

In 2006 the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) program was introduced, offering a competitive four-year study option, which has continued to grow research capacity and capability among the profession locally and nationally. Now after 20years, the Honours program is taken by 10–12 students annually.

With now growing numbers of students and enrolments, 2012 marked a significant restructure of the first years of both the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This involved introduction of nutrition curriculum in Year 1 and 2 alongside foundational science topics earlier in the curriculum, giving breadth and depth to the program content.

In 2015, the discipline changed names to the School of Health Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Nutrition and Dietetics staff in 2006 at Flinders Medical Centre

Dr Alison Yaxley with 2023 Nutrition and Dietetics Graduates

2016–2026

2017 saw a university-wide restructure, and the discipline became part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences along with 14 other health, disability and care disciplines. The Nutrition and Dietetics discipline now has a staff with range of academic profiles including Teaching Specialist (Clinical Practitioners) and Teaching Specialists (Academic) as well as Teaching Research academics. This same year, the Bachelor of Human Nutrition commenced, a three year undergraduate degree program increasing nutrition graduates for an evolving nutrition professional workforce.

All programs pivoted during the global pandemic and moving to teaching online in 2020. This enabled international students to commence and/or continue learning from their own country and developed innovative ways to maintain placement education opportunities. It is during this time that the teaching staff relocated from Flinders Medical Centre to Sturt Campus at Bedford Park, co-located with other allied health disciplines in the College.

In 2024 the Bachelor of Nutrition and Exercise (Online) was launched. The Flinders Nutrition and Dietetics courses based at Bedford Park were reaccredited by Dietitians Australia in 2025.

As of 2026, Nutrition and Dietetics is part of the College of Health and Enablement. There remains a significant teaching commitment, with the delivery of 43 topics across four course offerings. The programs attract diverse student cohorts from South Australia, nationally and overseas. In the last 50 years, over 1400 students have graduated across the programs offered by Nutrition and Dietetics.

As of 2026, there are now four degree programs (3 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate) and a growing number of students doing research at PhD level, the discipline is going from strength to strength. Today as it has done over its 50 years, Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders is continuing to provide high quality, innovative curricula with excellent student success, retention, employment rates and satisfaction. The future is bright.