For International Dietitians · Last updated: 19 September 2026

OET for Dietitians — HCPC & AHPRA Pathway

Internationally trained dietitians can register with HCPC (UK) or AHPRA (Australia) on Grade B across all four OET sub-tests; AHPRA accepts Grade C+ in Writing. The Writing sub-test asks for structured prose communication of nutritional findings and plans.

International dietitian preparing for OET Writing exam

Quick answer

For internationally trained dietitians, Grade B (350) in each of the four OET sub-tests is accepted for HCPC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) registration. AHPRA's minimum for Writing is Grade C+ (300); Listening, Reading and Speaking stay at Grade B. The Writing sub-test tests your ability to communicate nutritional findings and recommendations to a non-dietitian addressee in 250 words of paragraph prose — not bullet-point plans. Most marks are lost on Genre & Style.

Key takeaways for dietitians

  • Grades: Grade B (350) in all four sub-tests is accepted by HCPC and AHPRA; AHPRA's Writing minimum is C+ (300) since 18 March 2025.
  • Most common letter type: GP or MDT referral with nutrition support plan.
  • Top criterion lost: Genre & Style — bullet-point plans rather than paragraph prose.
  • Validity: 2 years from test date.

Required OET Scores by Regulator

Regulator
Country
Required (Writing)
Combine?
HCPC
United Kingdom
B (350)
Yes
AHPRA / DAA
Australia
C+ (300)
Yes, 12 months
DNZ
New Zealand
B (350)
Yes
CORU
Ireland
B (350)
Yes

The Two Letter Types Dietitians Write Most

1. Referral / advice letter

Sent to a GP or MDT recommending a nutrition support plan — refeeding risk, malnutrition, supplementary nutrition, or specialised dietary intervention.

Marking watch-out: Genre & Style — write the plan as connected prose, not bulleted lists.

2. Discharge / handover letter

Communication after a nutritional intervention summarising progress and ongoing recommendations. Often addressed to a community dietitian or GP.

Marking watch-out: Conciseness — focus on outcomes and ongoing plan, not the full intervention recap.

The Three Mistakes That Cost Dietitians Their Grade

1

Use paragraph prose, not bullet recommendations

Stop listing nutrition recommendations as bulleted plans. Rewrite as flowing sentences. Mapped criterion: Genre & Style.

2

Contextualise nutrition terminology

Stop using MUST scores, refeeding-risk shorthand, or micronutrient abbreviations without context for GP addressees. Expand on first use. Mapped criterion: Language.

3

Prioritise findings linked to the recommendation

Stop reciting the full dietary history. Include only findings that justify the recommendation or referral request. Mapped criterion: Conciseness & Clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which regulators accept OET for dietitians? +

The UK HCPC and Australian AHPRA both accept OET for dietetic registration. Grade B (350) in all four sub-tests is accepted by both regulators. AHPRA's minimum for Writing is Grade C+ (300), with Listening, Reading and Speaking at Grade B, and AHPRA accepts results from two sittings within 12 months if the minimums are met in each sitting.

What letter type do dietitians write in OET? +

Dietitians typically write a referral letter to a GP or MDT (recommending nutrition support plans) or a discharge letter following a nutritional intervention. Case notes commonly include BMI, biochemistry markers, dietary history, and ongoing nutrition support plans.

Why do dietitians lose marks in OET Writing? +

Two patterns are common. First, over-listing dietary recommendations as bullet points instead of structured prose (Genre & Style). Second, technical nutrition terminology — MUST scores, refeeding risk, micronutrient deficiencies — used without context for non-dietetic addressees (Conciseness & Clarity).

Is dietitian-specific case-note practice essential? +

Yes. Generic medical case notes do not capture nutritional assessment workflows. Profession-aware correction ensures feedback covers MUST scoring, refeeding considerations, and the right register for MDT versus GP communication.

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