The University of New England (UNE) is bolstering the regional and rural health workforce thanks to a new suite of nutrition and health science courses that will equip professionals with the skills to address Australia’s ageing population and the rising rates of chronic disease.
As preventative health becomes a growing priority for many, Course Coordinator Dr Gal Winter says demand for nutrition professionals has never been higher.
“The recent recognition of nutritionists by private health funds has opened new career pathways and increased accessibility to nutrition services,” said Dr Winter, who is a registered nutritionist, microbiologist and associate professor in biomedical science in UNE’s School of Science and Technology.
“This shift represents a fundamental change in how we approach health. We are moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.”
The degrees are recognised by the Nutrition Society of Australia and include a Bachelor of Nutrition and Health Science, a Graduate Certificate, and a Graduate Diploma.
These provide practical, industry-relevant education for those interested in or already working in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, food manufacturing, government policy, research, and corporate wellness.
Dr Winter says the postgraduate options are specifically designed for working professionals seeking career advancement or strategic redirection.
“Rather than starting over, students can build on their existing expertise while gaining new perspectives that transform how they approach their work,” she said.
“The flexible delivery format allows students to continue working while studying, and the multidisciplinary approach enables graduates to pivot into new roles or sectors, significantly enhancing their employability and career progression potential.”
“Unlike many programs that focus narrowly on dietetics or food science, UNE incorporates biomedical science, crop science, environmental factors, and regulatory frameworks into a comprehensive curriculum.”
As rural and regional Australia faces significant health workforce shortages, Andrew Mahony, Managing Director at Rural Fit, says providing more pathways into the workforce for allied health professionals focused on preventative health is sorely needed.
“At Rural Fit, we help thousands of rural and regional people each year who are battling chronic health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease,” he said.
“Exercise, nutrition, and holistic health play a big part in improving outcomes; however, to do so, we need a strong workforce here in the regions.
“This will help lower the strain on our local health systems, ultimately improving the overall wellbeing of our local communities.”
The unique multidisciplinary nature of the degrees will help to address this challenge, as it opens doors to people interested in a range of fields.
“Unlike many programs that focus narrowly on dietetics or food science, UNE incorporates biomedical science, crop science, environmental factors, and regulatory frameworks into a comprehensive curriculum,” said Dr Winter.
“This approach recognises that the biggest challenges we face, such as chronic disease, climate change and food security, require systems thinking rather than specialised silos.”
Enrolments for Trimester 1, 2026 are now open. Find out more here.
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