Dietitian

NDIS Capacity Building support

A dietitian gives evidence-based advice about food and nutrition, including for medical conditions, feeding difficulties or specific dietary needs.

The short answer

A dietitian gives evidence-based advice about food and nutrition, including for medical conditions, feeding difficulties or particular dietary needs. They work with you and your other health professionals.

About Dietitian

Nutrition affects energy, growth, weight, bowel health and the management of many conditions. A dietitian assesses what you eat, what you need and what gets in the way, then works with you on a practical plan. This can include managing diabetes, coping with food allergies, gaining or losing weight safely, or planning meals when eating is difficult.

For people with disability, dietitians often work with speech pathologists and doctors. They can help people who have difficulty swallowing, who use tube feeding, or who have sensory or behavioural challenges around food. The advice is tailored, so it takes into account preferences, culture, budget and what the person is able to prepare.

Dietitians complete specific university training, and many are Accredited Practising Dietitians through Dietitians Australia. Because the word nutritionist is used more loosely, it is worth asking about qualifications so you know what you are getting.

Who is this service for?

People who need advice about food and nutrition, including for medical conditions, feeding or swallowing difficulties or particular dietary needs.

What a typical session looks like

A first appointment usually includes a detailed conversation about what you eat and drink, your health, your routine, your preferences and your goals. The dietitian may ask about swallowing, appetite, allergies, cultural food practices, medications and how meals are prepared. They may also look at test results or information from your doctor.

From this they suggest practical changes, such as new ways of preparing food, adjustments to portion sizes, strategies for eating enough or managing a condition. Follow-up appointments check how things are going, adapt the plan and provide encouragement. Good advice fits your life, not a rigid ideal.

Who delivers this support

Accredited practising dietitians have university training in nutrition and dietetics and are members of a professional body that sets standards. Some specialise in areas such as diabetes, kidney disease, paediatrics, disability or eating disorders. If you have complex needs, ask about experience with your particular situation, and check that the person is a qualified dietitian, since the word nutritionist is not always regulated in the same way.

How to choose a provider

Questions to ask a provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Getting started

  1. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about eating, weight or a medical condition.
  2. Write down what you eat over a few days to bring to the first appointment.
  3. Book an assessment and ask what to prepare.
  4. Agree simple goals and a review date.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Dietitians often work with doctors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and support workers. If you have difficulty swallowing, a speech pathologist and dietitian may work together, and if a support worker prepares your meals, sharing the dietitian's advice helps make sure it is followed. Nutrition connects with energy, mood, medications and long-term health.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Dietitian if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Dietitian is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Dietitian that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

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