Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time, please refer to course structure below
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2025 close 22 June 2025
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2025 close 26 October 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Get an introduction to advanced nutrition studies with the Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition. Develop an understanding of human nutrient requirements across the lifespan, including macro and micronutrients, and prepare yourself for further study at the postgraduate level.
Want to shape nutrition discussions with an informed voice?
A history of teaching and research excellence, world-class facilities, pioneering academics and a long list of industry partners make Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition one of the leading human nutrition courses in Australia. The course attracts high-achieving students from a broad range of sectors. It caters for those looking to turn their lifelong passion for nutrition into sustained career growth, as well as professionals from other areas of health who want to enhance the quality of their care with expertise in human nutrition.
To truly understand the connection between nutrition and health, you will draw on studies from a variety of related disciplines, such as food science, biochemistry, physiology, epidemiology, psychology, public health and politics. Combining this knowledge allows you to examine nutrition from different angles, which is particularly beneficial when providing advice to audiences from diverse backgrounds. Better still, everything you learn is evidence-based, giving you the confidence to combat the dissemination of nutrition misinformation.
There is growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health, and as a result there are increasing demands from the public for reliable, evidence-based and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.
As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the NSA website for further information or queries about registration.
This course can also be used as a stepping stone into the Master of Human Nutrition, and includes three core units from the masters program plus an elective of your choice.
Course information
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
Students must enrol in the online offerings of all units
Trimester 1
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Principles of Nutrition (also available in Trimester 3)
- Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition
Trimester 2
- Lifespan Nutrition
plus one elective
Elective units
Trimester 1
- Diet and Lifestyle Diseases
- Public Health Nutrition
- Nutrition Promotion
- Sports Nutrition
- Food, Nutrition and Behaviour
- Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research (also available in Trimester 3)
Trimester 2
- Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
- Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies
- Obesity Prevention
- Essentials of Food Science
- Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence
Trimester 3
- International Nutrition
- Nutrition for Healthy Ageing
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
Trimester 2 - July
Trimester 3 - November
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Workload
As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning principles are embedded within all units.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP payments
$12
per pay cycle
Take-home pay
after FEE-HELP and tax
$977
per pay cycle
Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $15,300* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition (4 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
- $624 is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- 1% of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition (H616)
Master of Human Nutrition (H714)
Master of Nutrition and Population Health (H748)
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
As the prevalence of global health issues like obesity, malnutrition and mental illness grow, so too has the public’s interest in the relationship between nutrition and health. As a result, there are increasing demands for health professionals who can provide reliable, evidence-based nutrition advice. So much so that jobs in nutrition are expected to grow 17.6% by 2023*.
As a graduate of this course, you will be well-placed to progress your studies into the Master of Human Nutrition or enhance your existing role with nutrition expertise. Note, many nutrition roles may require an undergraduate degree in health or science or some further postgraduate studies to ensure a broader knowledge and skill base.
Learn more about careers in nutrition
*Australian Jobs 2019, Department of Jobs and Small Business
Professional recognition
There is growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health, and as a result there are increasing demands from the public for reliable, evidence-based and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.
As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the NSA website for further information or queries about registration.
Course learning outcomes
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