Eating Disorders jobs in Australia

About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders — including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and ARFID — are among the most medically serious mental health conditions. They carry the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric diagnosis and require coordinated care across mental health, dietetics, medicine, and often gastroenterology. The COVID-19 pandemic drove a significant increase in presentations, particularly among adolescents, which has not yet subsided.

Australia's specialist eating disorder workforce is concentrated in major hospitals and tertiary services, with very limited community-based options. Key services include the Butterfly Foundation's national helpline and stepped care programs, state-funded eating disorder day programs, and a small number of inpatient units. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) coordinates national standards and workforce development, while InsideOut Institute at the University of Sydney leads research and clinical training.

Practitioners in this field come from psychology, social work, nursing, dietetics, and psychiatry. Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is the gold standard for adolescent presentations; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) is widely used for adults. Clinical training in eating disorders is limited, and many practitioners upskill through InsideOut Institute's training programs. Dietitians working in this space require specialised training beyond standard nutrition competencies.