DIETITIANSASSOCIATIONOFAUSTRALIA

BYLAW
CODEOFPROFESSIONALCONDUCT
FormemberswithAustralianrecogniseddieteticqualifications,
andnonmemberswithAPDstatus

(BylawMadePursuanttoClauses9,21,36oftheConstitution)

RevisedMarch2013

Purpose
TheDietitiansAssociationofAustralia(DAA)isaselfregulatoryprofessionalbodywhichsets
standardsforpractice,fostersprofessionalismandprovidesamechanismforinternal
disciplinaryproceduresfortheprotectionofmembers,thepublicandthecredibilityofthe
profession.

TheCodeofProfessionalConductsetsminimumnationalstandardsforaccountableconduct
whichpromotesthehealthofthepublicandengendersconfidenceintheservicesprovidedby
membersandnonmemberAccreditedPractisingDietitians.
ThosesubjecttothisCodeofPracticeshalladheretotheConstitution,Bylaws,rulesofthe
Association,andalllawsoftheCommonwealth.
TheattachedStatementofEthicalPracticeprovidestheprinciplesunderpinningtheCodeof
ProfessionalConductforthemembersoftheAssociationwithAustralianrecogniseddietetic
qualifications,andnonmemberswithAPDstatuswhoareequallyreferredtoaspractitionersin
thiscode.

1.Definition

Practice,forthepurposeofthisBylaw,isconsideredinthebroadesttermstocoveranyactivity
consideredtobewithintheacceptedscopeofaDietitian/Nutritionistswork.

2.CriteriaGoverningProfessionalConduct.

Therearetwocriteriaunderwhichthecomplaintsanddisciplinaryprocessmaybeactivated.

a) Unsatisfactoryprofessionalconduct
definedas:

conducthappeninginconnectionwiththepracticeofdieteticsthatfallsshortofthe
standardofcompetenceanddiligencethatamemberofthepublicorthepractitioners
peersisentitledtoexpectofareasonablycompetentDietitian/Nutritionist.

b)Professionalmisconduct
definedas:

conductwhichinvolvesasubstantialorconsistentfailuretoreachormaintaina
reasonablestandardofcompetenceanddiligence;or

conducthappeninginconnectionwiththepracticeofNutrition/Dieteticsorotherwise
thatwould,ifestablished,justifyafindingthatthepractitionerisnotafitandproper
persontocontinuetobeamemberoftheAssociationandengageinNutritionand
Dieteticpractice.

Professionalmisconductmayincludebeingconvictedofacriminaloffence.
IfacomplainthasbeenmadeagainstapractitionerundertheComplaintsandDisciplinary
ProcedureBylaw,andthatpractitionerbreachestheComplaintsandDisciplinaryProcedureBy
lawbycontacting,orattemptingtocontacteither:

(a) aDirectoroftheDAABoard;or
(b) thepersonwhomadethecomplaintagainstthem

inrelationtothecomplaintthenthismayamounttoprofessionalmisconduct.

3.ApplicationoftheCodeofProfessionalConduct

Itistheresponsibilityofeachpractitionertoevaluatepracticeandmaintaincompetenceas
wellastoevaluatetheprofessionalstandardsandcontributetotheobjectsofthe
Association.
TheCodeofProfessionalConductshallbeadoptedbyallmemberswithAustralian
recogniseddieteticqualifications,andnonmemberswithAPDstatustoensurethatthey
willcontinuetoberecognisedbythepublicasthemostvaluedandcrediblesourceoffood
andnutritioninformation.
PractitionershavearesponsibilitytoinformrelevantorganisationsofviolatorsoftheDAA
CodeofProfessionalConductandotherlaws.
TheCodeofProfessionalConductisenforcedbyDAAundertheComplaintsandDisciplinary
ProcedureBylawandreviewedfromtimetotime.