If you're on the NDIS or you hold a Veteran Card, you might be able to see a dietitian for little or nothing out of pocket. The catch? Nobody really explains how. Where does the funding sit? Who has to refer you? What do you say to your planner so it doesn't get knocked back?
I get asked this a lot, by participants, veterans, parents, carers and support coordinators. So here's the plain English version.
Does the NDIS pay for a dietitian?
Yes, as long as your nutrition needs are linked to your disability. That's the key test.
Some common examples:
- Swallowing difficulties or needing texture modified food and drinks
- Tube feeding
- Weight loss or weight gain that's related to your disability, mobility or medications
- Very restricted or fussy eating linked to autism or sensory needs
- Constipation or low energy that's getting in the way of daily life
- Building skills to plan meals, shop and cook more independently
What the NDIS usually won't fund is nutrition support for health conditions that aren't related to your disability, like high cholesterol on its own. That's what Medicare is for (more on that below).
Where does the funding come from in my plan?
Dietitian sessions come out of your Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living budget. In the NDIS portal you'll often see it called CB Daily Activity. Same thing, different name (because why make it simple).
One thing to check: since July 2025, therapy can't be claimed from your Core budget anymore. If your therapy used to come out of Core, ask your planner or support coordinator to make sure there's enough in Improved Daily Living.
Can I see any dietitian?
That depends on how your plan is managed.
- Self managed or plan managed: you can choose any dietitian you like. That includes me.
- NDIA managed (sometimes called agency managed): you can only see NDIS registered providers.
I'm not an NDIS registered provider, so I work with self managed and plan managed participants. If your plan is NDIA managed and you'd like to work with me, you can ask your planner about switching to plan management. It doesn't cost you anything, because the plan manager's fees come from a separate part of your plan.
Not sure which one you have? It's written in your plan, or your support coordinator can tell you in about five seconds.
What should I ask my planner?
Take these to your planning meeting or plan reassessment. Screenshot them, print them, whatever works.
- "Can I have funding for a dietitian in my Improved Daily Living budget?"
- "How many hours of therapy does my budget cover? Is that enough for an assessment, a few follow ups and a report?"
- "Is any of my therapy being claimed from Core? Can we move it to Improved Daily Living?"
- "Is my plan self managed, plan managed or NDIA managed?"
- "What evidence do you need from me or my dietitian to support this?"
- "If my dietitian recommends supplements, thickeners or tube feeding equipment, can that be funded too?"
How do I give my request the best chance?
- Spell out the link between your nutrition needs and your disability. Don't assume the planner will join the dots.
- Talk about the real impact on your day, like "I can't safely prepare meals" or "I've lost weight because eating takes so much energy".
- Bring letters from your GP, specialist, speech pathologist or OT if you have them.
- If you've already seen a dietitian, ask for a report with clear goals and the number of hours they recommend.
Is anything changing with the NDIS?
Yes. The NDIS is moving to a new way of building plans, called new framework planning, and participants are expected to start moving across from April 2027. A support needs assessment will help decide your budget, including whether therapy like dietetics is included.
The best thing you can do now? Make sure your reports clearly describe your nutrition needs and how they connect to your disability. Good paperwork is about to matter even more.
Can veterans see a dietitian through DVA?
Yes, and it's one of the most underused services out there. It depends on your card:
- Gold Card: covers a dietitian for any condition, as long as it's clinically necessary.
- White Card: covers a dietitian for your accepted service related conditions.
- Orange Card: covers medicines only, so dietitian sessions aren't included.
How do I get a DVA referral?
Book in with your GP and ask for a DVA referral to a dietitian (it's usually the D904 form). For your first referral, it can also come from a specialist or your hospital team.
Then book with a dietitian who accepts Veteran Cards, and have your referral and card number handy.
A referral covers up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever comes first. After that, I send a report back to your GP, and if you still need support, they can write you a new one. There's no cap on how many referrals you can have, as long as your GP thinks it's needed.
Will I pay anything with DVA?
Nope. Dietitians who accept your Veteran Card take the DVA fee as full payment, so there's no gap.
What should I ask my GP?
- "Can you refer me to a dietitian under DVA?"
- "Is my condition covered by my card?" (Really important for White Card holders.)
- "Can you send my recent blood tests and medication list with the referral?"
- "What would you like the dietitian to focus on?"
Not on the NDIS or DVA?
If you have a long-term health condition like type 2 diabetes, heart disease or IBS, you might be eligible for Medicare rebated sessions through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. My article on your first dietitian appointment walks you through it.
Ready to get started?
I'm an online dietitian, so you can see me from home anywhere in Australia, by video or phone. Not sure if you can claim? That's literally what the free call is for.
Book a free 15 minute call. No pressure and no sales pitch, just a chat about where you're at and what you can claim.
This is general information based on NDIS and DVA rules as of November 2026. Funding rules change, so always double check with your planner, support coordinator or DVA.
