For International Dietitians·Last updated: 10 October 2026

OET for Dietitians — HCPC & Dietitians Australia Pathway

Internationally trained dietitians can register with HCPC (UK) or be assessed by Dietitians Australia on the OET scores each body sets. The HCPC requires a total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. Dietitians Australia requires a minimum of 350 (Grade B) in each of the four sub-tests. The Writing sub-test asks for structured prose communication of nutritional findings and plans.

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Quick answer

For internationally trained dietitians, OET is accepted for HCPC (UK) and Dietitians Australia (Australia) assessment. The HCPC sets a total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. Dietitians Australia requires a minimum of 350 (Grade B) in each of the four sub-tests. 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: HCPC: total of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, none below 300. Dietitians Australia: 350 (Grade B) in each of the four sub-tests.
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

Total 1400, no sub-test below 300

Check HCPC

Dietitians Australia

Australia

350 (B) in each of the four

Check with the regulator

Dietitians Board (New Zealand)

New Zealand

A or B in all four; dated within 12 months

Check with the regulator

CORU

Ireland

B (350) in three, C+ (300) in one

Yes — two sittings in 6 months, none below C

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

Use paragraph prose, not bullet recommendations

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

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.

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 Dietitians Australia both accept OET. The HCPC sets a total score of at least 1400 across the four sub-tests, with no sub-test below 300. Dietitians Australia, which assesses overseas-qualified dietitians in Australia, accepts OET (on paper or on computer) with a minimum of 350 (Grade B) in each of the four sub-tests, and the result is valid for two years. The Dietitians Board in New Zealand asks for A or B in all four sections, dated within the 12 months before it receives the application.

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.

Related guides

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The Six OET Writing Criteria

What examiners look for, criterion by criterion.

Send a dietetic letter for correction

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