Camilla Thompson claims to be a prominent biohacker and qualified nutritionist in Australia, sharing strategies aimed at enhancing longevity through biohacking. However, a recent investigation by A Current Affair scrutinised some of her unconventional health tips, such as the use of methylene blue and volcanic rock, revealing potential gaps in nutritionist accreditation in Australia.
The spotlight fell on Vast Fitness Academy, an online training provider that offers a Certificate IV in Nutrition, which can be completed in just 12 months. This raises questions about the rigour of the accreditation process for nutritionists in the country.
The Australian Skills and Qualifications Authority (ASQA) provided a full statement regarding the Academy. They serve as the national regulator for vocational education and training, ensuring that the qualifications issued by training providers are trustworthy for students, industries, and governments.
Vast Fitness Academy has been registered to provide the Certificate IV in Nutrition since July 22, 2022. Prior to this, the qualification was offered under a different designation from December 2018 until July 2022. In May 2023, the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) updated the coding for this qualification to better reflect its outcomes, renaming it to align with the role of a Health Promotion Officer.
ASQA highlighted that their regulatory powers are exercised proportionately, based on a defined risk framework. However, ongoing investigations prevent them from disclosing further details regarding Vast Fitness Academy at this time. For inquiries related to registered health practitioners, they pointed to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
This situation underscores the complexities surrounding nutritionist qualifications and the importance of regulatory oversight in maintaining the integrity of health advice disseminated to the public.