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Supporting Supervision for all Dietitians

New Graduate & Early Career Supervision Hub

Welcome to DSRAI

If you are a new graduate Dietitian preparing to enter the workforce for the first time or an early career Dietitian navigating the ups and downs of establishing a career, this page is especially for you!

Recent Changes to the APD Program

On 8th October 2025 Dietitians Australia announced:

Graduates entering the APD program from 1 December 2025 will be awarded full APD status.

The mandatory mentoring requirement has been removed. This means that there is no longer a requirement to register a mentoring partnership or complete an end of mentoring process after graduating.

While formal mentoring will no longer be compulsory, the embedding of supervision is actively encouraged across the career pathway, recognising its ongoing value to professional growth and practice.

In November 2025 DA updated their website (members section) to include:

New information endorsing supervision here

New outline of the APD program (removing mandated mentoring) here.

Confused about what these Changes to the APD Status Mean?

If you’re feeling unsure about what these changes mean or where to start with supervision, you’re not alone, and that’s exactly where we can help. Dietitians Australia’s endorsement of supervision is incredibly exciting and an advancement for our profession that DSRAI has been championing for years. It’s a great time to be starting your career in this new, pro-supervision climate.

At Dietitian Supervision Resources Australia & International (DSRAI), we’re dedicated to strengthening the culture of professional supervision from graduation to retirement. Run by passionate volunteers, DSRAI builds supervision connections, quality, and confidence across the Dietetics profession.

We offer free resources for all Dietitians interested in supervision PLUS an essential database of 70+ trained supervisors to help you find the right fit for your needs and goals.

Below we have curated three easy steps to get you on your way and answered some common questions……..

Early career practitioners are often curious about when to commence supervision. Our encouragement is …as soon as you can!

Commencing supervision even before you have secured employment can have many advantages for the early career practitioner. Supervision can:

  • provide an early career dietitian with a place to talk about all of their initial questions regarding practice and career options
  • be a supportive place to prepare for job applications and interviews
  • provide experienced insights about your career options
  • be a safe place to "unpack" experiences from university or student placement

 

Applying for a job and being able to identify that you are already in professional supervision demonstrates a commitment to professional growth that will differentiate you from other candidates. Being able to knowledgeably discuss supervision in an interview and ask about opportunities to receive supervision in the new role, will identify you as a dedicated learner committed to the quality of the care you provide your patients and clients.

Great question! Here are some features of each format to assist your considerations. If both formats appeal (and your resources allow) you could consider attending a combination of group supervision and individual supervision.

 

Group Supervision

Group supervision is supervision that you attend with 2 – 4 other supervisees facilitated by a trained group supervisor who is skilful at establishing safe communications in a group format. Typically, monthly meetings are scheduled for 6–12months under contract. You can view the current groups open to new members on our Group Supervision page. Group supervision may offer the following advantages:

  • you get the benefit of learning from the experiences of others
  • may be more financially accessible as the cost is shared amongst group participants.
  • can help supervisees to feel less isolated

 

Individual Supervision

Individual supervision is supervision you attend one-on-one with a trained supervisor. Typically, meetings are scheduled at least monthly, or more frequently if required, under 12-month contract. You can view our extensive data base of trained individual supervisors HERE.

Individual supervision may offer the following advantages:

  • provides more time to explore the topics you are bringing, for deep learning
  • more flexibility with scheduling meetings
  • the supervisee has a greater degree of privacy which may suit your learning style and needs

This depends on the system in which the practitioner is employed. In public health or some NGOs, supervision is often supplied internally for no cost. There can be challenges with this being the only form of supervision received by a practitioner and you may wish to compliment workplace supervision with an external, independent supervisor at you own or employer subsidised cost.

As an employee of a private practice or smaller NGOs it is reasonable to expect an employer might fully or partially fund supervision. It’s worth asking if your employer will support supervision as part of your employment benefits.

Advocating for supervision support with your employer in any sector is a conversation you can prepare for well. There is comprehensive information to assist you with this on our Advocating for Supervision page.

If you are considering starting your own private practice, you are strongly encouraged to consider supervision as a necessary business expense for the sustainability of your practice. Including the cost of supervision as a regular business expense is an essential part of your business planning. Whilst particularly relevant for private prctitioners, this mindset is applicable for all practitioners in any form of employment.

STEP 1: Understand Supervision

  • Watch our free webinar delivered on 24/11/25. 

This webinar is specifically for final-year students and new graduate Dietitians. It  is designed to help you get your head around supervision with really practical guidance and a live QnA with supervision experts. 

Webinar Details: Understanding and Accessing Supervision for New Grad and Early Career Dietitians 

Tune in to the recording HERE. The link will take you through to Vimeo hosting platform. Download the slides HERE

 

STEP 2: Find a Supervisor

  • visit our Supervisor Database. Prefer a group? Check out the Group Supervision list
  • enter your interest areas ( you can include “new grad/early career supervision”)
  • connect with a potential supervisor and ask for a match making call

 

STEP 3: Start Supervision

Meet with your chosen supervisor and experience the confidence, clarity, and support that come with effective, supervisee-led supervision

 

Facebook Group: Early Career Dietitians’ Lounge

Every Dietitian knows that it's a huge leap from Dietetics student to Accredited Practising Dietitian. The first few years after graduation is a time of exponential growth as you build your skills and confidence. We are excited to announce that now, you don't need to do that alone like the many Dietitians before you. 

Welcome! The Early Career Dietitians Lounge is now OPEN and FREE to all early career and new graduate Dietitians in Australia and New Zealand in the first 5 years of any Nutrition & Dietetic practice.  Whatever your career aspirations, "The Lounge" is a comfy, nurturing place to land as you find your feet in your Nutrition & Dietetics career.

The Lounge is created and moderated  by Deb Blakley, APD with 28 years Dietetics experience, Founder and Director of an innovative private practice supporting children, families and the early childhood education sector. Deb has worked in tertiary hospitals, community dietetics, aged care, disability, population-based community nutrition and private practice (Kids Dig Food). Deb is an experienced workshop facilitator, speaker and passionate Supervisor of Dietitians at all career stages. Deb is also the newest volunteer member of the DSRAI Consultancy team. 

 Here's some of the things that you'll find inside the Lounge: 

🤝 a safe and supportive community - no dog eat dog, we lift each other up in the Lounge 

💡a place to reflect, share ideas and new ways of thinking as you expand your Dietetics knowledge

🌈 meet and learn from experienced Dietitians and health professionals through mini Q&A's and Live Discussions 

🤗 get information about Professional Supervision (Group and 1:1) and how to find the supervisor that is right for you

🌤️ discover and explore career possibilities and opportunities

🛋️ space to take a big sigh and put your feet up on the Lounge. 

 Join us in the Early Career Dietitian's Lounge

 

The Emerging Dietitians in Eating Disorders Circle

CLOSING 30th JUNE 2026 - 1 spot remaining

This is a unique 6-month initiative (June-Dec 2026) hosted by Fiona Sutherland from The Mindful Dietitian, aimed at offering early-career Dietitians who are beginning their work in Eating Disorders an opportunity to start their career on the right foot. The Circle brings together Group Supervision with experienced DSRAI Supervisors and community connection with guest speakers to help you feel more grounded, skilled, and confident as you grow your ED practice. 

https://www.themindfuldietitian.com.au/emerging-dietitians

 

Professional Boundaries Resource

Understanding Professional Boundaries and developing the skills to manage them well is an essential component of sustaining effective practice as a health care professional. 

Most Dietitians are not taught professional boundary skills in their qualifying degree. As an early career practitioner thses skills may not even be on your radar but they are incredibly valuable for building confidence and maintaining wellbeing at work.

Please feel free to access this Professional Boundaries Resource sheet from Practice Pavestones to support your leaning.