9 May 2025
Support Co-ordinators, Let’s Talk Nutrition: The Vital Role of Dietitians
Since the recent changes to the NDIS, we are having regular discussions regarding funding for dietetic services, so I wanted to share the following resources. These may be useful for Support Co-ordinators and Plan Managers who believe dietitians cannot be funded for NDIS participants.
The key consideration in determining whether nutrition support falls under medical or disability responsibility is this: Would this participant face challenges in managing their nutritional requirements if they did NOT have their disability? In nearly all cases, the answer is no—the difficulty is directly linked to their disability.
Relevant NDIS resources:
Nutrition supports including meal preparation | NDIS – the PDF specifically mentions dietitians
Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals officially recognised by both state and federal governments, which means we are the only practitioners permitted to operate within the health system. As allied health professionals—alongside speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and exercise physiologists—we are intended to work collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible outcomes for participants. A very simple example: How can a participant build muscle to improve their function, without sufficient protein to provide the building blocks? Dietitians are the only health professionals able to accurately calculate each participant’s requirements.
As a Support Co-ordinator, you play a vital role in ensuring participants receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs. Including a dietitian in the care team can significantly improve health outcomes by addressing nutritional challenges that directly impact daily living, independence, and quality of life.
By integrating dietetic expertise into a participant’s support plan, you can help optimise their wellbeing, reduce preventable health issues, and ensure a truly holistic approach to their care. Please consider the benefits of including a dietitian in your team to provide the best possible service.