Finding the right dietitian for your child can make a real difference, whether you're dealing with a fussy eater, a feeding difficulty or a medical condition that affects diet. This guide explains what paediatric dietetics involves, what a first appointment looks like, and how to choose a Canberra provider — and it features a shortlist of local services to help you start your search.
Dietitian-led clinic in Phillip, ACT offering paediatric dietetics including fussy eating, problem feeding, starting solids, and healthy growth management, alongside adult nutrition services. Telehealth appointments available. No NDIS registration, waitlist, or practitioner names mentioned.
ORS is a family-owned, NDIS-registered provider offering Positive Behaviour Support, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetics and Key Worker Early Childhood Supports for children, adults and families. Telehealth available nationally; no wait lists for Behaviour Support; also funded via Medicare and government programs.
Tamba Healthcare offers NDIS services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, and speech therapy, alongside community access, nursing, personal care, and supported independent living. No specific ages, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Dietitian providing weight-inclusive nutrition care for eating disorders, IBS/FODMAP, and general health, based in Canberra with telehealth available. No explicit paediatric age range, NDIS registration, or waitlist information stated.
Early Start Australia Queanbeyan offers occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology for children and young adults aged 0-16 with developmental delays and physical disabilities. Services delivered in-clinic, via telehealth, and mobile visits to childcare, pre-school, and school settings since 2010.
Southside Physio offers Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Exercise Physiology, and Nutrition/Dietetics via clinics in Tuggeranong, Woden, and mobile/telehealth services across Canberra/ACT, including NDIS and aged care participants.
Southside Physio offers mobile and clinic-based Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, and Nutrition/Dietetics across Canberra/ACT, serving NDIS participants, aged care and home care clients, with telehealth options available.
ORS is a national, NDIS-registered provider offering Positive Behaviour Support, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, and Key Worker Early Childhood Supports for children, adults and families. Telehealth available nationally; no wait lists for Behaviour Support; NDIS, Medicare and private pathways accepted.
Paediatric dietetics is nutrition support tailored to babies, children and teenagers. An Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) works with families to assess a child's eating, growth and nutrition, then builds a practical plan that fits real family life. This can range from gentle strategies for a fussy eater through to managing complex medical needs.
Common areas dietitians help with include:
Some Canberra services combine dietetics with speech and feeding therapy, which can be handy if your child has both nutritional and feeding needs.
Every child goes through phases, but it may be worth seeking help if your child:
If you're worried about your child's growth, weight or a possible medical condition, speak to your GP or paediatrician first — they can rule out underlying issues and provide a referral where needed. A dietitian complements, but doesn't replace, medical care.
Dietitians support all ages, from infancy through adolescence. Support looks different at each stage — introducing solids and managing reflux in babies, building food variety in toddlers and preschoolers, and helping teenagers manage conditions like diabetes or make independent food choices.
An initial consultation usually runs 45–60 minutes. The dietitian will ask about your child's medical history, growth, eating patterns, mealtime routines and any concerns. They may look at food diaries, growth charts and referral notes. Rather than handing you a rigid meal plan, a good paediatric dietitian sets realistic, family-friendly goals and explains the 'why' behind their advice. You'll usually leave with a few practical steps to try, and a plan for follow-up.
Bring along: any referral or reports, a rough record of what your child eats over a few days, and a list of your questions.
As a general guide, private dietitian appointments in Australia often range from around $100–$250 for an initial consult, with shorter reviews costing less. The NDIS sets price caps for registered providers, and dietetics is generally billed as an allied health service under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. Actual fees vary by provider, appointment length and whether sessions are in-clinic, at home or via telehealth, so always confirm current pricing directly.
Medicare rebates may be available through a GP-arranged Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan for eligible children (typically up to five allied health visits per calendar year). Private health extras may also cover part of the cost — check your policy.
If your child is an NDIS participant, dietetics can be funded where it relates to their disability and supports their goals. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can generally see any suitable dietitian, while agency-managed plans require an NDIS-registered provider.
Use these checks to narrow your shortlist:
This page features Canberra-region dietetics and feeding services including Casuarina Forsyth Dietitian (Turner), Early Start Australia (Queanbeyan and Deakin), ORS Fyshwick, Eat Speak Learn (Belconnen), Chatty Munchkins Speech and Feeding Therapy (Canberra City), Live Better Nutrition (Calwell and Ainslie), Connect2Care (Griffith), The Paediatric Practice (Deakin), Eat 'n' Grow (Belconnen) and Dietetics By Design (Braddon). Ratings and review counts are shown to help you compare, but they're only a starting point — contact a few directly to find the best fit.
Or read the full paediatric dietetics guide, or browse all Canberra providers.
You don't need a referral to see a dietitian privately. However, a GP referral is required for a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan, and some medical conditions are best assessed by your GP or paediatrician first. If your child is on the NDIS, dietetics can be funded where it relates to their disability goals.
Yes. Dietetics is generally funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living when it relates to a child's disability and supports their goals. Agency-managed participants need an NDIS-registered provider, while plan- and self-managed families have more choice. Always confirm billing and current price caps with the provider.
As a general guide, initial private consults in Australia often range from about $100–$250, with reviews costing less. NDIS price caps apply for registered providers. Fees vary by appointment length and format, so confirm current pricing directly. Medicare rebates and private health extras may reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible families.
A dietitian focuses on nutrition, growth and the nutritional content of a child's diet, while feeding therapy (often provided by a speech pathologist or OT) addresses the mechanics and sensory aspects of eating, such as chewing, swallowing and food acceptance. Many children with feeding difficulties benefit from both working together.
Waitlists in the ACT can vary widely and are sometimes several weeks or months for paediatric services. It's worth contacting a few providers, asking about their current wait times, and requesting to go on a cancellation list. Telehealth appointments can sometimes be available sooner than in-clinic ones.