Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education
The Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative supports the integration of eating disorder competencies into tertiary education. This aims to support safe, evidence-based practice across health, community, education and social support sectors.
Background to the Tertiary Education Initiative
With funding from the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, NEDC undertook an assessment of eating disorder teaching within tertiary education and is now leading the strategy to embed this content across Australian programs and practice settings.
The NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education (EDTE) Initiative comprises a range of key components designed to support the embedding of eating disorder–related content within tertiary education programs and oversees the development and implementation of recommendations outlined in the Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations.
This work is a key initiative of the National Eating Disorder Strategy (2023-2033).
Current Tertiary Education Initiative Resources
The EDTE delivers practical, evidence‑informed resources that support curriculum development, educator capability, and system‑level change. Together, these resources aim to improve the consistency, quality, and reach of eating disorder education within tertiary settings.
Current initiative resources align with the four EDTE outcome areas are outlined below.
As the Initiative progresses over the lifecycle of the National Strategy, additional resources, pathways, and components will continue to be developed and incorporated to respond to emerging needs and evidence.
Outcome 1: Bridging the Content Gap via Traditional Modes of Teaching
Eating Disorder Identification Learning Packages
The EDTE Learning Packages support educators with a ready‑to‑deliver suite of resources to flexibly teach foundational knowledge and skills in the identification of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns.
Find out more about Eating Disorder Identification Learning Packages here.
Educator Training Pathway
The Educator Training Pathway is a no‑cost educational offering that strengthens educator capability to teach the Identification Learning Packages, increasing eating disorder awareness and identification skills within the scope of discipline roles.
Eating Disorder Safe Teaching
Core to delivering content within tertiary education is teaching about topics of food, body, eating and movement in ways that promote safe empowering learning environments that protect against harm.
The below resources support Eating Disorder Safe Teaching Plan development:
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Eating Disorder Safe Teaching Plan - Guide
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Eating Disorder Safe Teaching Plan - Template
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Eating Disorder Safe Teaching Plan - Scenarios and Ideas
Outcome 2: Legitimise Frameworks and Capabilities with Government
National Educator Database
The National Educator Database includes details of educators and institutions embedding eating disorder content in curricula and enables institutions to link with experienced educators for teaching opportunities.
Outcome 4: Ratification of Eating Disorder Standards
National Education Framework
The EDTE National Education Framework is a nationally consistent framework to support institutions and educators to embed eating disorder-related knowledge and competencies within tertiary education programs.
Find out more about the Framework here.
How the Tertiary Education Initiative is delivered
The EDTE Initiative brings together expert guidance, sector collaboration and implementation, and evidence to support the embedding of eating disorder–related content within tertiary. Through coordinated activities, the EDTE Initiative supports consistent, safe, and evidence‑based practice across disciplines and settings.
ETDE Expert Advisory Group
The EDTE Expert Advisory Group (EAG) advises NEDC on embedding eating disorder content in Australian tertiary education. Its goal is to drive lasting change by integrating ED-safe principles, prevention, response, treatment, and recovery support into professional training programs. Members include experts in education, discipline-based learning, industry, and student needs. The EAG oversees all aspects of the NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education (EDTE) Initiative.
EDTE Expert Advisory Group Members
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Dr Sarah Trobe (Chair) |
National Director, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Dr Emma Spiel (Project Lead) |
Workforce Development Lead, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Kirstin Riedmaier (Secretariat) |
Project and Operations Coordinator, NEDC |
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Alexandra Murray |
Head of Policy, Australian Psychological Society (APS) |
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Bliss Jackman |
Team Leader, Lived Experience, The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders |
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Prof. Bryn Austin |
Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston Children’s Hospital |
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Dr Carmel Fleming |
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland |
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Chris Basten |
Senior Clinical Psychologist, Basten and Associates Clinical Psychologists |
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Dr Claire Burton |
Academic Lead, Workforce Development & Training |
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Deanne Harris |
Allied Health Manager/ Dietitian in Charge/Profession Senior Dietetics HNELHD |
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Fiona Sutherland |
Director, The Mindful Dietitian , APD, CEDC-D |
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Genevieve Pepin |
Professor, Deakin University Faculty of Health |
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Janet Fountaine |
Nurse Practitioner, WA Eating Disorders Outreach & Consultation Service |
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Dr Jenny Conway |
General Practitioner, Get Well Clinic |
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A/Prof. Kim Ryan |
Chief Executive Officer at Australian College of Mental Health Nurses |
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Prof. Leah Brennan |
Professor, School of Psychology and Public Health La Trobe University |
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Dr Mandy Goldstein |
Director and Clinical Psychologist, everyBody Psychology & Wellbeing |
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Michelle King |
Partner and National Lead, Higher Education, KPMG Australia |
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Prof. Philippa Hay |
Chair Mental Health Western Sydney University |
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Shannon Calvert |
Independent Lived Experience Educator & Advisor |
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Dr Simone Craig |
Youth Health GP, Clinician Academic at Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Melbourne |
EDTC Collaborative Network
The EDTE Collaborative Network is a multidisciplinary group of academics, educators, and lived experience experts that advises NEDC on the development and dissemination of the Eating Disorder Identification Learning Packages. The Network also provides ongoing advice on the relevance and usefulness of initiatives for disciplines and educators across the broader EDTE initiative.
EDTE Collaborative Network Members
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Dr Emma Spiel (Project Lead) |
Workforce Development Lead, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Ana Ximena Torres (Project Co-Lead) |
Strategy and Policy Lead, NEDC |
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Laura Freeburn (Nursing) |
Nurse Educator, Mental Health Metro North Health QLD |
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Chloe Lennox (Nursing) |
Course Coordinator & Lecturer (Mental Health Nursing), School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Notre Dame Australia. Registered Nurse, The Esus Centre |
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Hosu Ryu (Nursing) |
Lecturer & Discipline Lead (Undergraduate Nursing), School of Nursing and Midwifery La Trobe University |
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Dr Christie Bennett (Dietetics) |
Senior Lecturer Monash University, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food |
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Fiona Sutherland (Dietetics) |
Director, The Mindful Dietitian |
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Dr Sian McLean (Psychology) |
Senior Lecturer, Department Coordinator Research Industry & Engagement, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University |
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Associate Professor Janet Conti (Psychology) |
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology /Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, School of Psychology Western Sydney University |
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Sarah Pflanz (Social Work) |
Statewide Clinical Education Lead for Social Work – Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs, Queensland Health |
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Rachael Duck (Social Work) |
Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) Manager at Eating Disorders Victoria |
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Rachel Knight (Occupational Therapy) |
Lecturer (Deakin University) Eating Disorders Early Intervention and Integration Lead (Western Health) |
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Associate Professor Justin Scanlan (Occupational Therapy) |
Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney |
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Shannon Calvert (Lived Experience Educator) |
Independent Lived Experience Specialist & Advisor – Eating Disorders, Mental Health, Palliative Care, and Workforce Reform |
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Dr Matthew Elton (Medicine) |
Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry John Hunter Hospital Medical Lead for Eating Disorders, Hunter New England Mental Health Associate Lecturer University Newcastle |
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Dr Elizabeth Rowe (Medicine) |
Private GP Mentor and Lecturer |
EDTE Research and Publications
The Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative uses existing research, builds new evidence, and actively shares learnings to strengthen curriculum development, implementation, and continuous improvement across the tertiary education sector.
Every initiative includes an evaluation and dissemination strategy to ensure the resources and approaches developed are effective, widely accessible, and actively used to support better outcomes.
Below is a selection of some EDTE publications.
Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations 2025 Update
The Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education: Scoping Review and Recommendations 2025 Update, developed by NEDC, examines how eating disorders are currently taught in tertiary programs preparing key health professionals. Informed by expert advice and sector consultation, the report identifies opportunities to strengthen education and outlines practical ways to improve workforce capability, curriculum development, and the quality of eating disorder care nationwide.
Read the report here
Enhancing eating disorder content in the tertiary curricula of health disciplines in Australia (Spiel et al, 2025)
Developed with members of the EAG, this paper reports on a national survey of 205 health professional educators, finding that while eating disorder content is commonly included in training programs, coverage is inconsistent. Educators identified eating disorders as a priority but highlighted curriculum constraints and a need for contemporary, evidence‑based, discipline‑specific teaching resources.
Read the paper here.
Collaborate with us
NEDC welcomes collaboration with institutions to strengthen eating‑disorder‑safe, evidence‑based education, including curriculum embedding, evaluation of Learning Packages, piloting new teaching approaches, and collaborative research. To explore partnership opportunities, contact training@nedc.com.au.
The NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative Team
Dr Sarah Trobe - NEDC National Director
Sarah oversees the Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative and Chairs the Expert Advisory Group.
Dr Emma Spiel - NEDC Workforce Development Lead
Emma leads the Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative and Chairs the Collaborative Network.
Dr Sarah Giles - NEDC Research & Evaluation Lead
Sarah oversees the National Education Framework and consults to the research and evaluation strategy.
Gabrielle Orr - NEDC Workforce Development Coordinator
Gabrielle oversees the Identification Learning Packages
Kirstin Riedmaier - NEDC Projects and Operations Coordinator
Kirstin oversees the Educator Training Pathway project and provides project support and coordination.
Questions?
Contact the NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education Initiative Team via training@nedc.com.au
Find out more about the team leading the Tertiary Education Project on the NEDC Team webpage here.