Paediatric dietitians help children eat well — whether they're extremely selective eaters, have a medical condition affecting nutrition, or simply aren't growing as expected. This guide explains what paediatric dietetics involves, how it works alongside NDIS funding, and how to choose the right provider in the Geelong region.
General multidisciplinary health centre in Geelong offering chiropractic, dietetics, podiatry, myotherapy, acupuncture, psychology, laser therapy and remedial massage for adults, children and babies; no paediatric-specific therapy types, NDIS registration, telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Geelong-based (also Caulfield South) Accredited Practising Dietitians offering paediatric and adult dietetics, including picky eating, tube feeding, gut health, and eating disorders. NDIS registered, supports self/plan-managed participants. Telehealth available Australia-wide.
Team of occupational therapists in Geelong and Melbourne's west/north, serving clients from birth through adolescence to adults and older adults. Offers early intervention, feeding therapy, cerebral palsy supports, group therapy, driving assessments, and mental health supports. Registered NDIS provider; also supports TAC clients. Clinic, home, workplace and school visits available.
Provides speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, dietetics, play therapy, autism assessments and groups for children aged 0-18 in Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine. Offers one-off assessments and free Wiggle and Grow drop-in program for children 0-3 while awaiting services.
Multidisciplinary clinic in Newtown, Geelong supporting children/young people aged 2–17 (early intervention to 9 years) with OT, speech pathology, psychology and assessments. NDIS registered (agency, self- and plan-managed), telehealth and mobile services available; immediate availability noted, no waitlist mentioned.
Multidisciplinary paediatric practice in Geelong CBD offering Speech Pathology, OT, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Dietetics, Positive Behaviour Support, Support Coordination, Plan Management and Allied Health Assistance. Physiotherapy treats from 1-day-old babies to adolescents. NDIS-related services mentioned; no explicit NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details stated.
NDIS-registered dietetics provider offering paediatric nutrition services alongside general dietitian services; supports self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants; offers telehealth consultations. No specific ages, waitlist, or named practitioners mentioned.
Leopold Health Group offers psychological counselling for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, plus pelvic floor physiotherapy and dietitian counselling, serving the Bellarine and Geelong community in Victoria.
Paediatric dietetics is nutrition and feeding support tailored to children's changing needs. An Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with paediatric experience looks at what your child eats, how they grow, and any medical or feeding challenges getting in the way. Support might include building a more varied diet for a fussy eater, managing food allergies or intolerances, supporting a child with a feeding tube, or working through nutrition linked to conditions like coeliac disease, reflux, constipation, diabetes, or autism-related eating patterns.
Dietitians often work as part of a wider team. For feeding difficulties, a dietitian may collaborate with a speech pathologist (who focuses on chewing, swallowing and oral skills) and an occupational therapist (who addresses sensory and mealtime behaviour). This is why some Geelong clinics offer multiple therapies under one roof.
Every child goes through picky phases, but it may be worth seeking help if your child:
If you're worried about your child's growth, health or eating, start with your GP or paediatrician. They can help rule out underlying medical issues and provide a referral where needed. A dietitian does not replace medical care.
Paediatric dietitians support children from infancy — including breastfeeding, formula and starting solids — right through to adolescence. The approach is matched to your child's developmental stage, with lots of play-based and family-centred strategies for younger children and more collaborative goal-setting with teens.
An initial session usually runs 45–60 minutes. The dietitian will ask about your child's medical history, growth, current eating patterns, mealtime routines and your concerns. They may review food diaries, growth charts and any relevant test results. Bring along your child's health record (the green book), any referral letters, and a list of foods your child does and doesn't accept.
From there, the dietitian sets realistic, achievable goals with you and provides a practical plan — this might include gradual food exposure strategies, meal ideas, portion guidance, or a plan to work with other therapists. Change is usually gradual, so expect follow-up appointments over several weeks or months.
As a general guide, dietetics appointments in Australia often range from around $80 to $220 for an initial consult, with shorter reviews costing less. NDIS has published price caps for dietetics, and registered providers must charge within those limits. Prices vary between clinics, so always confirm fees before booking. Some families can access limited Medicare rebates through a GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan for eligible children, and private health extras may also contribute — check your policy.
Under the NDIS, dietetics generally sits within the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. If your child has an NDIS plan, ask whether these supports are funded and how your plan is managed (agency-managed, plan-managed or self-managed), as this affects which providers you can use. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can typically see both registered and non-registered dietitians.
Our page features several Geelong-area providers, including Complete Dietetics, Nutrition Health & Wellbeing – The Dietitian Centre, Peak Dietetics Belmont, Foundations Family Nutrition, Eat Happy Dietetics and Rachel Jeffery Dietitian, alongside multidisciplinary clinics such as Early Start Australia, Flying Start Children's Therapy and Little Fox Children's Therapy. When comparing options, consider:
Ratings and review counts can help you shortlist, but a short phone call is often the best way to judge whether a provider is the right fit for your family.
Or read the full paediatric dietetics guide, or browse all Geelong providers.
You don't need a referral to book privately with an Accredited Practising Dietitian. However, seeing your GP or paediatrician first is a good idea — they can rule out medical causes and may set up a Chronic Disease Management plan for possible Medicare rebates. For NDIS-funded support, dietetics usually sits under Improved Daily Living in your plan.
If dietetics is funded in your child's NDIS plan, it generally falls under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. Agency-managed participants need an NDIS-registered provider, while plan-managed and self-managed families can also use non-registered dietitians. Always check your plan and confirm funding before booking.
As a general guide, initial consults often range from around $80 to $220, with shorter reviews costing less. NDIS price caps apply for registered providers. Fees vary between Geelong clinics, and some families may access Medicare rebates or private health extras, so confirm costs directly before your first appointment.
A dietitian focuses on nutrition, growth and what your child eats, while a speech pathologist focuses on the physical skills of chewing and swallowing. An occupational therapist may address sensory and behavioural aspects of mealtimes. For complex feeding difficulties, these professionals often work together as a team.
Change is usually gradual. Building trust with new foods can take weeks or months, and dietitians use small, realistic steps rather than pushing quick fixes. Consistent follow-up appointments and family involvement at home make a big difference to progress.