Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can see a dietitian.  Dietitians work with people of all ages, whether they be individuals, families and groups.  Dietitians assist people who want or need dietary advice in order to improve their health or because of a medical condition, or both.

No.  You can make an appointment without a referral, though your doctor or other health professional  may refer you as part of your medical treatment.  A doctor’s referral is preferred for complex health and/or dietary issues.

Appointment – clinic or telehealth

• Initial:   60 mins    $140
• Review: 30 mins    $78
• Extended appointment: Cost depends on lenth of appointment
• Concession rates available

Private Health Fund

• Initial appointment: 60 mins.  Gap payment depends on your fund and the level of cover
• Review appointment:  30 mins.  Gap payment depends on your fund and the level of cover

Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan (Care Plan) – requires a GP referral

• Initial appointment:   60 minutes.  Rebate $58.30; $81.70 gap.
• Review appointment: 30 mins.  Rebate $58.30; $19.70 gap.

DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) Gold card and eligible White card holders

• Initial appointment: 60 mins, no charge
• Review appointment: 30 minutes, no charge
• Home visits available if required

Home Care Packages

• $140 per hour, includes appointment, preparation, contact with other services, report writing and travel, if required.

NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)

• Self-managed and and Plan-managed clients
• Variable length sessions
• Fees will charged be as per the current NDIS pricing arrangements and price limits:  Pricing arrangements | NDIS
• Home visits available

Payment is to be made at the end of the appointment.  Medicare rebates are completed at time of payment.   HICAPS machine for private health fund rebates available in Strathalbyn.

The answer is ‘it depends’. Usually at least two appointments are required, as the second appointment is used to assess your progress, and if needed, continue further education regarding your health or diet issue.  The second and subsequent appointments (if required) are used to further build your skills, knowledge and motivation to help meet your goals.

Again, it depends. It depends on your health need, the complexity of your health condition/s, your level of knowledge, how much assistance you require, and of course your time and budget.  

The first few appointments might be closer together, for example every one to four weeks, and then any further appointments required are often then spaced further apart as your confidence and knowledge level grows. 

Some people like to have their appointments close and regular to help keep them on track, others, like to have them spaced further apart, with the knowledge that there is an appointment over the horizon to help keep them on track.

• A copy of your referral if your doctor has not already emailed or faxed a copy to us.  Note, a referral is not required for a general or private appointment.
• Medicare card if you have a Chronic Disease Management Plan (Care plan) referral
• A current DVA Health Card if you have a DVA referral
• Private health cover card if you have private health cover
• Any relevant and current test results eg blood tests, colonoscopy etc. You can request a copy from your doctor, and they can fax them to  08 8451 1540
• A method of payment eg EFTPOS card, cash, credit card, debit card
• Your list of questions to ask during your appointment

Your Medicare or DVA card information, any medications, health conditions, your diet and health goals, and any questions, can be uploaded to your intake form that is emailed to you prior to your first appointment.

The initial appointment goes/runs /lasts for one hour. Your dietitian will ask detailed questions in order to tailor an individual plan that meets your needs.  Some of the things that will be discussed include:

• • Your main health concerns and goals
  • Any questions you may have
  • Your medical history
  • Any medications and supplements that you take
  • Any blood test results that you may have had taken
  • Your lifestyle, activity levels and habits
  • Your dietary habits, food preferences, likes and dislikes, and more.

You will also be given practical information and a plan of action to take home that will help you meet your dietary goals. .

If you have been referred by a doctor or other specialist, then, with your permission, a reply letter will be written with a summary of your dietary assessment and proposed plan.

Most private health funds cover visits to APDs in private practice.

Contact your insurer to see what’s covered by your health insurance policy.

Health fund codes used:

• 500 Individual initial consultation 
• 600 Review individual consultation 
• 700 Group consultation 
• 800 Home/Out of rooms consultation 

No, you can only claim via one method at a time. It is usually best to obtain the Medicare rebate for appointments while you are eligible, and then use your private health cover after that; check with your health fund to make sure.

As per the Dietitians Australia website https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/ :

If a dietitian holds the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) credential, you can be assured of their commitment to best practice.

APDs don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. They understand what works for one person may be different to what works for you.

It’s at this individual level that an APD can help. They consider the whole person – each person’s medical history, as well as their needs, goals and lifestyle.

Being able to tailor nutrition advice and find the best approach for each person is what APDs are qualified to do.

Recognised university qualifications are one of the things that sets Accredited Practising Dietitians apart from nutritionists.

APDs offer many services to suit your needs, including:

• assessing nutrition needs
• developing personalised eating plans for health conditions
• providing nutrition counselling and support
• educating on healthy eating and food preparation
• developing nutrition communications, programs and policies
• providing consultancy services to corporate organisations, food manufacturers, schools and healthcare facilities.

Our APD credential is accepted by Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and most private health funds. 

All the dietitians at Fleurieu Nutrition are qualified and undertake further study each year to meet the standards required to be an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

We understand that sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule you appointment, however, we request that you provide more than 24 hours notice.

• If you do not attend your confirmed appointment without notice you will be charged 100% of your scheudled fee.
• If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged 75% of the schedule fee.
• We understand tha in some circumstances short notice may be unavoidable, and discretion will be exercised in such cases.