A dietitian is a health professional who has completed a Bachelor or Masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Dietitians in Australia must be accredited with the Dietitian's Association of Australia (DA) and have completed a minimum of 4 years of university study in nutrition and dietetics.

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Dietitians are trained to provide evidence-based nutrition advice and medical nutrition therapy to individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. They are also trained to work with groups and communities to promote healthy eating habits and prevent chronic disease.

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The services provided by a dietitian may include developing and implementing individualised nutrition plans, assessing nutritional status, providing education and counseling on nutrition, and working with other healthcare professionals to manage medical conditions. Dietitians may work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, private practice, aged care facilities, community health centres, and sports nutrition.

A nutritionist is also a health professional who works in the field of nutrition. However, unlike dietitians, the term "nutritionist" is not protected by law in Australia, meaning that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without any formal qualifications or training. This lack of regulation has led to concerns about the quality of nutrition advice provided by some individuals calling themselves nutritionists.

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However, some nutritionists in Australia have completed accredited nutrition courses and have a thorough understanding of nutrition and its role in promoting health and preventing disease. Nutritionists may provide advice on general healthy eating and lifestyle habits, to people without any health condition. However, it is important to note that unlike dietitians, nutritionists cannot provide medical nutrition therapy, work with individuals with medical conditions or provide individualised diet plans.

You do not need a referral to book an appointment. However, it can be helpful to have your GP send through your latest blood results, or any relevant information about your health. 

Some private health insurance policies will cover appointments with a dietitian, you will need to check with your health insurer if your policy includes dietitians and how much they will cover. 

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People with chronic health conditions that are referred by their GP can get a portion of their consult covered by Medicare, it is important to speak with your GP about this. 

Please see the services page for all costs.