In a world where wellbeing is increasingly seen as a lifelong journey rather than a short-term goal, more people are seeking professional support to improve their health, energy, and overall quality of life. With the rise in demand for guidance around nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle balance, it’s easy to become confused by the different professional titles used in the health space.
Terms like health coach, nutritionist, and dietitian are often used interchangeably, but in reality, they represent three distinct professions—each with different qualifications, areas of expertise, and scopes of practice.
Whether you’re considering working with a professional to support your own wellbeing or exploring a new career path, understanding these distinctions will help you make informed choices.
What Does a Health and Wellness Coach Do?
A health and wellness coach supports clients to make sustainable behaviour and lifestyle changes that lead to better wellbeing. Rather than providing prescriptive advice, health coaches use evidence-based coaching methodologies to help clients explore what matters most to them and build the confidence and motivation to make change possible.
While dietitians and nutritionists tend to focus on food and nutrition, health and wellness coaches take a broader view—addressing the full spectrum of lifestyle factors including movement, sleep, stress management, mindset, and relationships.
Health and Wellness coaches partner with clients rather than instruct them. Using skills in active listening, goal setting, and accountability, they help people turn good intentions into long-term habits.
Health and Wellness coaches are trained through formally approved certification programs, recognised by key industry accrediting bodies such as Health Coaches Australia and New Zealand Association (HCANZA) or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), and are equipped with the skills to work safely and effectively alongside other health professionals.
Typical responsibilities of a health and wellness coach include:
- Helping clients set and achieve meaningful lifestyle goals
- Supporting clients to understand and follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations
- Offering structure, accountability, and motivation during change
- Educating and guiding clients through lifestyle strategies for nutrition, movement and physical activity, sleep, and managing mental wellbeing (within scope of practice)
- Leading group coaching or workplace wellbeing programs
- Celebrating progress and empowering long-term self-management
At WCA, we believe health and wellness coaching represents a vital bridge between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
A nutritionist is a professional who focuses primarily on the relationship between food and health. Nutritionists have in-depth knowledge of nutrients, metabolism, and how dietary patterns affect wellbeing.
They typically hold a university qualification in nutrition or food science and may work across settings such as private practice, corporate wellness programs, community health, or education.
Nutritionists can provide general nutrition advice, help clients develop healthy eating habits, and guide people seeking to manage weight or reduce risk factors for chronic disease. However, unlike dietitians, they are not qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy for specific medical conditions.
Typical nutritionist duties include:
- Assessing dietary patterns and identifying nutritional gaps
- Developing personalised meal or eating plans
- Educating clients on food choices, portion control, and balanced diets
- Delivering seminars or workshops on healthy eating
- Supporting behaviour change through practical dietary strategies
What Does a Dietitian Do?
A dietitian is the most highly qualified nutrition professional and is trained to provide medical nutrition therapy—individualised nutrition interventions for people with specific health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Dietitians complete a university degree in dietetics or nutrition science, undertake supervised practice, and must be credentialed with professional bodies such as Dietitians Australia to practice clinically.
They often work in hospitals, aged care, research, or private practice, using their expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems at both individual and population levels.
Typical dietitian duties include:
- Providing clinical nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy
- Developing and overseeing nutrition plans in hospitals, schools, or food services
- Conducting nutrition research
- Teaching dietetics or nutrition science at tertiary level
- Educating individuals and groups about evidence-based dietary practices
Comparing the Three Professions
| Aspect | Health and Wellness Coach | Nutritionist | Dietitian |
| Training | Completion of an accredited health coaching program (HCANZA recognised for Aus/NZ and NBHWC-recognised for international standard certification). | Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field; may hold professional certification. | Bachelor’s degree in dietetics or related field, plus supervised internship and national credentialing. |
| Scope of Practice | Supports behaviour and lifestyle change to enhance wellbeing. Focus on coaching, motivation, and sustainable habit formation. | Provides general nutrition advice to improve diet and prevent chronic disease. | Provides medical nutrition therapy and clinical interventions for specific conditions. |
| Primary Focus | Whole-person lifestyle change—nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, mindset. | Food and dietary patterns for general health and disease prevention. | Clinical and therapeutic nutrition care. |
| Typical Work Settings | Private practice, workplace wellness, community programs, allied health teams. | Private or community practice, schools, health promotion, public education. | Hospitals, clinics, research, education, private practice. |
Which Professional Is Right for You?
- If your goal is overall wellbeing and lasting lifestyle change:
A health coach is your best partner. Coaches help you turn knowledge into action and sustain the behaviours that lead to health and vitality. - If you want general nutrition education or help improving your diet:
A nutritionist can offer personalised guidance to optimise your food choices and overall health. - If you have a diagnosed medical condition requiring specialised dietary therapy:
A dietitian is the appropriate professional to assess and treat your needs.
Importantly, these professionals can also work together. Many clients find the greatest success when their dietitian or nutritionist provides the dietary plan—and a health coach supports them in implementing it day-to-day.
Considering a Career in Health and Wellness?
If you’re drawn to helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives, health and wellness coaching is an exciting and rapidly growing field. It’s ideal for those who value connection, motivation, and the science of behaviour change as much as the science of health.
At Wellness Coaching Australia, we’ve been training Australia’s leading health and wellness coaches for over 18 years. Our programs combine evidence-based coaching methodology, lifestyle science, and real-world application—equipping graduates to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, workplaces, and communities.
To learn more about becoming a qualified health and wellness coach, visit wellnesscoachingaustralia.com.au/qualifications
