Disability and NDIS
Care and support for NDIS participants
NDIS & Dietetics
Nutritional Support for People Living with Disability
Access expert dietary support through your NDIS plan. An accredited practising dietitian can help you manage your health, build independence, and improve your quality of life, all funded through the NDIS.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds a wide range of supports to help Australians with a permanent and significant disability live more independently. Dietetics, the clinical practice of nutrition and food, is one of the allied health services the NDIS can fund when it is deemed reasonable and necessary for a participant's disability-related needs.
An accredited practising dietitian (APD) is a university-trained health professional registered with Dietitians Australia. Under the NDIS, APDs assess, diagnose, and treat nutrition-related conditions caused or complicated by a participant's disability. Their services go beyond general healthy eating advice — they address the specific and complex nutritional challenges that can come with disability.
Key point: Dietetics funding through the NDIS is separate to what Medicare covers. You may be eligible for both, giving you access to a broader range of dietary support than ever before.
NDIS Statistics
Active NDIS participants in Australia
660,000 +
NDIS participants use allied health supports
~ 30%
Primary budget category for dietetics
Capacity Building
How dietetics on the NDIS can help you
Nutrition affects every part of your health from your energy, mood, sleep, wound healing, medication effectiveness, and more. For people living with disability, access to skilled dietary support can make a meaningful difference to day-to-day life.
Personalised meal planning
Tailored plans that suit your disability, preferences, cultural background, and budget — practical and achievable.
Medical nutrition therapy
Management of conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and obesity that are common among NDIS participants.
Swallowing and texture modification
Working alongside speech pathologists to ensure safe, enjoyable eating for participants with dysphagia or oral motor difficulties.
Weight management
Evidence-based support for healthy weight, neither deprivation-focused nor dismissive, grounded in the lived experience of disability.
Enteral and tube feeding
Specialist management of tube feeding regimens, formulas, and transitioning to oral eating where possible.
Autism and ADHD nutrition
Addressing food selectivity, sensory sensitivities, and the nutritional gaps that can arise from restricted eating patterns.
Gut health and bowel management
Dietary strategies for constipation, bowel dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
Building independence
Practical cooking skills, grocery shopping guidance, and supported meal prep to increase autonomy and reduce support hours over time.
Who is dietetics suitable for on the NDIS?
Dietetic support can be beneficial across a wide range of disability types and diagnoses.
This list is not exhaustive. If your disability affects your ability to eat safely, access food, manage a health condition, or maintain a healthy body weight, you may be eligible for NDIS dietetic funding.
Conditions commonly supported include:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
ADHD
Down syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Acquired brain injury (ABI)
Spinal cord injury
Prader-Willi syndrome
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Spina bifida
Muscular dystrophy
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Intellectual disability
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Complex mental health conditions
How is dietetics funded under the NDIS?
NDIS dietetics is most commonly funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Health and Wellbeing support category (Support Category 7). In some circumstances, it may also fall under Improved Daily Living (Support Category 15) when it relates to developing skills or therapy goals.
To access dietetics funding, your plan must include a budget for allied health or therapy supports. If your plan does not yet include dietetics, you can request a plan review and provide supporting evidence from your treating team — including GP referrals, specialist letters, and a functional impact statement.
Dietetic services funded by the NDIS must be provided by a registered NDIS provider who is an accredited practising dietitian (APD). Always confirm your dietitian's registration before booking to ensure their services are claimable.
Agency-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed?
How your plan is managed affects how you pay for dietetic services. Agency-managed participants must use registered NDIS providers. Plan-managed and self-managed participants have more flexibility and may be able to access a wider range of dietitians.
What to expect from your first dietetics appointment.
01
Initial assessment
Your dietitian takes a thorough history including disability diagnosis, medications, health conditions, eating habits, food preferences, and functional challenges. This may be done in-person, via telehealth, or in your home.
02
Goal setting
Together you establish clear, measurable goals aligned to your NDIS plan and personal priorities. What does better nutrition mean for your life?
03
Personalised plan
Your dietitian creates a tailored plan. This might include meal ideas, food lists, supplement recommendations, or strategies for carers and support workers.
04
Ongoing review
Regular follow-up appointments track progress, adjust the plan, and support you to meet your goals. Progress is documented for your NDIS plan review.
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Does the NDIS fund dietetics for every participant?
Not automatically. Dietetics must be included in your NDIS plan as a funded support. It needs to be deemed "reasonable and necessary" — meaning it must be related to your disability, represent value for money, and be likely to benefit you. Many participants are eligible; it is worth discussing with your NDIS planner or support coordinator.
Can I access dietetics via telehealth under the NDIS?
Yes. Telehealth appointments are widely available and fully claimable under the NDIS. This is particularly useful for participants in regional or rural areas, or those with mobility or fatigue challenges that make in-person visits difficult.
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
In Australia, "dietitian" is a protected title requiring an accredited university degree and registration with Dietitians Australia. "Nutritionist" is not a protected term and may be used by people with varying levels of training. For NDIS-funded services, you must see an accredited practising dietitian (APD).
Can a support worker help me implement my dietitian's recommendations?
Absolutely. Your APD can provide written resources, meal guides, and brief training for your support workers so that dietary strategies are embedded into your daily routine, not just practised in appointments.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies based on the complexity of your needs and your goals. Some participants benefit from an intensive initial phase followed by quarterly reviews; others need ongoing monthly support. Your dietitian will recommend a frequency that reflects your clinical needs and your available NDIS funding.
What if my NDIS plan doesn't currently include dietetics?
You can request a plan review at any time if your needs have changed or were not adequately captured in your original plan. Supporting evidence from your GP, specialist, or current treating team can strengthen a request to add dietetic funding.