Finding the right dietitian for your child can make mealtimes calmer and support healthy growth, whether you're dealing with a fussy eater or a diagnosed medical condition. This guide explains what paediatric dietetics involves, how it works alongside NDIS funding, and how to choose a Gold Coast provider with confidence. We currently feature a range of local clinics to help you start your search.
Hiya Health Labrador offers occupational therapy (including paediatric OT), physiotherapy (including paediatric physio), and telehealth dietetics, alongside exercise physiology and hydrotherapy. Services include NDIS access support, home visits, and telehealth. Immediate availability noted for OT, physio, and exercise physiology on afternoons and weekends.
Hiya Health Burleigh Heads offers physiotherapy (incl. paediatric physio), occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and dietetics. Services children, adults and seniors across the southern Gold Coast to Tweed. Home visits and telehealth available; GAP-free initial appointments on select services.
Gold Coast practice offering dietetics from an Accredited Practising Dietitian and general physiotherapy services; no paediatric-specific details, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
BBDiet offers dietitian services including family & kids nutrition (fussy eating, problem feeders, starting solids). NDIS self-managed/plan-managed packages available, plus GP referrals, DVA, private health rebates, telehealth and home visits on request.
My Therapy Space offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian services, and Therapy Assistant programs at Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, including individual, pairs, group, and intensive therapy, plus workshops for families.
Gold Coast-based dietetics clinic offering 1:1 nutrition services in clinic, at home, or via telehealth for gut health (IBS, IBD, coeliac), nutrition therapy, and disordered eating. NDIS and Medicare accepted; no explicit paediatric age range stated.
Gold Coast-based (Benowa) paediatric feeding therapy and speech pathology clinic offering breastfeeding/bottle feeding support, problem feeder support, neuroprotective developmental care and orofacial myofunctional therapy. In-clinic and mobile services for babies and children; NDIS registration and telehealth not stated.
Robina, Gold Coast clinic offering specialist paediatric and adult dietetics, tube feeding, and advanced nutrition diagnostics (DEXA, BIS, metabolism scans). Serves children and adults, including NDIS participants. Telehealth available. Accepts NDIS, Medicare, DVA, TAC, and private funding.
Paediatric dietitians are university-qualified health professionals who specialise in children's nutrition. Unlike advice you might find online, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) tailors recommendations to your child's age, growth, medical history and family routines. Their work often overlaps with feeding therapy, which is why several Gold Coast clinics combine dietetics with speech pathology or occupational therapy.
Common areas of support include:
Every child goes through phases, but it may be worth seeking support if your child:
If you have concerns about your child's health, growth or eating, speak with your GP or paediatrician first — they can rule out underlying medical issues and provide a referral where needed.
Dietitians and feeding therapists work with children of all ages, from babies transitioning to solids through to teenagers. Early support is often helpful because eating patterns become more entrenched over time, but it's never too late to seek help.
An initial consultation usually runs 45–60 minutes. The dietitian will typically:
Bring along any recent growth charts, referral letters, allergy test results and a rough record of what your child eats over a few days. For young children, a relaxed, play-based approach is common, so don't worry if your child won't "perform" on the day.
As a general guide, dietetics sessions in Australia often range from around $100 to $220 per session, depending on length and complexity. The NDIS publishes price caps that registered providers must follow, and these are updated regularly — so always confirm current fees directly with the clinic. Some families access sessions through private health extras or a GP Chronic Disease Management (Medicare) plan, which offers limited rebated visits.
Under the NDIS, dietetics is generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Both plan-managed and self-managed participants can usually see registered or non-registered providers, while agency-managed (NDIA-managed) plans require an NDIS-registered provider. Check how your plan is managed before booking.
Costs and funding rules change — treat these figures as a rough guide only and confirm with each provider and your plan manager.
The Gold Coast has clinics spread across suburbs including Burleigh Waters, Benowa, Hope Island, Surfers Paradise, Robina, Mudgeeraba, Nerang and Ashmore. When comparing options, consider:
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a provider who's the right match for your family — and sets your child up for calmer, more positive mealtimes.
Or read the full paediatric dietetics guide, or browse all Gold Coast providers.
A dietitian focuses on nutrition, growth and the medical side of eating, while feeding therapy (often provided by speech pathologists or OTs) addresses the mechanics and behaviours of eating, such as chewing, textures and sensory issues. Many Gold Coast clinics combine both, as fussy eating often needs a team approach.
Often yes. Dietetics is generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can usually choose registered or non-registered providers, while NDIA-managed plans require an NDIS-registered provider. Confirm how your plan is managed before booking.
As a general guide, sessions often range from around $100 to $220, depending on length and complexity. NDIS price caps apply to registered providers and are updated regularly, so always confirm current fees directly. Some families also access Medicare or private health rebates.
You don't always need a referral to see a dietitian privately, but it's a good idea to speak with your GP or paediatrician first, especially if there are growth or medical concerns. A referral is required if you want to access Medicare rebates through a Chronic Disease Management plan.
Look for the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) credential, which you can verify through Dietitians Australia. If feeding therapy is involved, check that speech pathologists are members of Speech Pathology Australia and occupational therapists are registered with AHPRA.