NDIS and Dietitian Funding in 2025: What You Need to Know
There’s been a lot of confusion recently about whether Accredited Practising Dietitians are still funded under the NDIS. The good news? Yes, they absolutely are.
As a dietitian working closely with NDIS participants, families, and support coordinators, I want to clarify what’s changed, and what hasn’t when it comes to funding dietetic services through the NDIS.
Are Dietitians Still Funded by the NDIS?
Yes. Dietitians remain fully funded under the NDIS. Despite recent changes to plan formats and budget categories, dietetic services continue to be recognised as essential supports for many people living with disability.
Where Can Dietitians Be Funded?
Dietitians can be funded under the Capacity Building category of your plan, specifically in:
Improved Health and Wellbeing
Improved Daily Living
These categories cover support to build skills, improve independence, and manage health conditions — all areas where dietitians play a key role.
If your plan includes funding in either of these categories (and doesn’t name specific allied health providers), you can use it for dietetic services.
Understanding “Stated Supports” in Your Plan
Recent changes to some NDIS budgets have introduced “stated” categories, meaning the funds can only be used for specific services listed in your plan.
There are two common scenarios:
No Listed Therapists
If your plan does not specify which therapists the funds are for, dietitians can usually access this funding.Listed Therapists (e.g. OT, SP only)
If your plan names specific providers (like occupational therapy or speech pathology) but not dietitians, this funding can’t be used for dietetic support — unless a plan variation or review is submitted to include us.
In these cases, we are happy to provide supporting documentation to assist with a plan review or variation request.
Line Item Numbers for Dietetic Support
If you're plan-managed or self-managed, your provider may need the right NDIS item numbers. These are some of the relevant codes:
Improved Health and Wellbeing (All Ages): 12_025_0128_3_3
Improved Daily Living – Dietitian (Ages 7+): 15_062_0128_3_3
Improved Daily Living (All Ages): 15_799_0128_1_3
Early Childhood Supports (Under 7 – Other Professional): 15_005_0118_1_3
How Dietitians Support People with Disability
Dietitians offer specialised nutritional support tailored to disability-specific needs. This may include:
For Intellectual & Cognitive Disability:
Support with mealtime routines, appetite awareness, and independence with food planning and shopping
Assistance with feeding issues, swallowing concerns, and constipation management
Education for support workers and carers
For Neurological & Physical Disability:
Enteral feeding and oral nutrition supplements (ONS) management
Texture modifications for dysphagia
Preventing malnutrition and supporting wound healing
For Sensory & Psychosocial Disability:
Sensory-sensitive meal plans
Trauma-informed support for individuals with food aversions or anxiety
Weight and medication-related nutrition support
Working Together with Your Support Team
Dietitians work collaboratively with support workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and other health professionals to ensure your mealtime support is safe, appropriate, and empowering.
We can also help build capacity by training support workers in safe feeding practices, hydration routines, and adapting meals to suit each individual’s needs.
Need a Plan Review?
If your current plan doesn’t allow for dietetic support or you’re unsure, we can help advocate for a review. Our clinical reports can outline the reasonable and necessary basis for including dietitian services in your NDIS plan.
Have Questions?
If you’re unsure how dietetic services can fit into your NDIS plan, or you’re a support coordinator looking for guidance, feel free to reach out and we’ll work together to make sure your participant’s nutritional needs are supported.
This blog is written by Rhiannon Hendra, an Accredited Practising Dietitian supporting NDIS participants in the community. For more information, reach out to discuss how dietetic care can be accessed and tailored to your goals.
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Phone: 0458 920 404
Email: hello@yournutrition.au
