Best Paediatric Dietetics in Cairns

What paediatric dietetics involves for children

A paediatric dietitian is a university-qualified professional who assesses a child's diet, growth and feeding, then works with the family to build a realistic plan. Unlike general adult nutrition advice, paediatric dietetics accounts for growth spurts, developmental stages, sensory challenges and the family mealtime environment. Support might include:

• Strategies for fussy or 'selective' eating and expanding the range of foods a child will accept
• Managing food allergies, intolerances and elimination diets safely
• Nutrition for medical conditions such as coeliac disease, reflux, constipation, diabetes or faltering growth
• Support for tube feeding, texture modification or transitioning to oral eating
• Advice on supplements, fortifying meals and meeting nutrient needs

Dietitians often work alongside speech pathologists and occupational therapists, especially where feeding difficulties overlap with sensory processing or oral-motor skills.

Signs your child might benefit from support

Every child goes through picky phases, but it may be worth seeking help if you notice:

• A very limited range of accepted foods (for example, fewer than 20 foods, or whole food groups refused)
• Faltering growth, weight loss, or dropping across growth percentiles
• Mealtime distress, gagging, or strong sensory reactions to food
• A diagnosed condition needing dietary management (allergy, coeliac, diabetes, reflux)
• Ongoing constipation, low energy, or fatigue that could be diet-related
• Reliance on tube feeding or nutrition supplements

When in doubt, start with your GP or paediatrician, who can rule out underlying medical issues and provide a referral.

Suitable ages

Paediatric dietitians support children from infancy (including introducing solids and weaning) right through to adolescence. Early support for feeding difficulties is often more effective, but it's never too late to seek help. Teenagers with sports nutrition, body image or chronic-condition needs are also well within scope.

What a first appointment looks like

An initial consultation usually runs 45–60 minutes. The dietitian will ask about your child's medical history, growth, current eating patterns, mealtime routines and any concerns you have. You may be asked to keep a food diary beforehand. The dietitian will observe or discuss how meals go at home, then work with you on a few achievable goals. You'll typically leave with a written plan and follow-up appointments to review progress. Bring your child's health record (the red book), any referral letters, and a list of foods they currently eat and refuse.

Typical AU costs and NDIS funding

As a general guide, private paediatric dietitian appointments in Australia often range from around $150 to $250 for an initial consultation and $90 to $180 for follow-ups. The NDIS publishes price caps that registered providers work within, so actual fees vary. These figures are indicative only — always confirm current pricing directly with the provider.

Dietetics usually sits under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living in an NDIS plan. If your child is NDIS-participant and dietetics relates to their disability-related needs, funding may cover assessments and sessions. Some families also access support through:

• A Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan via a GP, giving Medicare rebates for a limited number of allied health visits per year
• Private health insurance extras cover

Check whether the provider bills the NDIS directly, and whether they charge for reports or travel.

How to choose a provider in Cairns

When comparing providers, look for:

• Credentials: Choose an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) — the recognised professional standard in Australia, credentialled through Dietitians Australia. Verify the therapist's registration and paediatric experience.
• NDIS registration: If you're using an NDIS-managed plan, you'll generally need a registered provider. Self-managed and plan-managed participants have more flexibility. Confirm this before booking.
• Paediatric focus: Ask how much of their work is with children, and with your child's specific needs (allergies, feeding aversion, tube weaning, etc.).
• Waitlists: Ask upfront how long the wait is for an initial appointment and for ongoing sessions — this varies a lot.
• Telehealth: Video appointments can be handy for families in outer Cairns suburbs or the Tablelands, and are often suitable for review sessions.

This page features providers including True Nature Nutritional Therapy (Cairns City), Nutrifocus Dietitians (Cairns North), Health Management Dietitians Cairns (Westcourt), Little People Therapies (Cairns North) and Natalie Thompson – Accredited Practising Dietitian (Stratford). We recommend contacting a couple to compare fit, availability and approach.

Questions to ask before you book

• Are you an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and how much of your work is with children?
• Do you have experience with my child's specific concern?
• Are you an NDIS-registered provider, and can you work with my plan management type?
• What are your fees for the first appointment and follow-ups?
• What's the current waitlist?
• Do you offer telehealth?
• Do you liaise with our GP, paediatrician or other therapists?

A good provider will happily answer these and help you feel confident before your first visit.