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Dietetics

Nutrition support for growth, selective eating, dietary needs and healthy family routines.

Published 4 October 2026Last reviewed 4 October 2026

Paediatric Dietitian Services for Children

Nutrition is an important part of childhood development. Some children have straightforward eating patterns, while others may experience selective eating, feeding difficulties, nutritional concerns or growth issues that need professional attention.

A paediatric dietitian can assess nutrition and provide practical, individualised advice based on the child's age, health, eating patterns and family circumstances.

What Does a Paediatric Dietitian Do?

Depending on their scope and the child's needs, a dietitian may support:

A dietitian can also work alongside other professionals when feeding involves communication, oral-motor or behavioural factors.

  • balanced nutrition
  • growth and nutritional adequacy
  • selective eating
  • food variety
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • dietary restrictions
  • meal planning
  • family nutrition strategies
  • feeding-related nutrition concerns

When Might a Child Need a Dietitian?

Families may consider dietetic support if:

Persistent feeding difficulties may require a multidisciplinary assessment.

  • food variety is very limited
  • parents are concerned about nutritional adequacy
  • a child has a restricted diet
  • there are concerns about growth or weight
  • a medical condition affects nutrition
  • dietary restrictions make meals difficult
  • families need practical nutrition guidance

What Happens at a Paediatric Dietitian Appointment?

The dietitian may discuss:

The provider may then develop practical recommendations appropriate to the child and family.

  • typical meals and snacks
  • foods accepted and avoided
  • dietary restrictions
  • growth information
  • family routines
  • medical history
  • nutritional concerns

Dietetics and Thriving Kids

Current national Thriving Kids information names several allied health services, including speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology. Dietetics is not named on the current government family-support page as one of those core examples.

That means families should treat paediatric dietetics as a broader child-development service and check local program availability rather than assuming it is automatically included in every Thriving Kids pathway.

For Referrers

Useful referral information may include:

  • age
  • dietary pattern
  • foods accepted
  • foods avoided
  • relevant medical history
  • growth information
  • family goals
  • previous feeding support

For Dietitians

Provider profiles should make it clear:

  • which age groups you support
  • areas of paediatric nutrition
  • whether feeding concerns are included
  • clinic or telehealth options
  • referral requirements
  • service locations
  • collaboration with other professionals

Finding a Paediatric Dietitian

Families can speak with a GP or other health professional if they are unsure whether a dietitian is appropriate.

Paediatric Dietetics in Victoria

Paediatric dietetics can complement allied health and medical support when nutrition, food variety, dietary restrictions or growth are concerns. Families should not assume that dietetics is automatically included in every Thriving Kids pathway because current Victorian government material does not identify it as a universal Thriving Kids service.

For Victorian providers

State whether you support selective eating, dietary restrictions, nutritional adequacy, growth concerns or multidisciplinary feeding needs, and explain how families can enquire.

Related support

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

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Disclaimer

TK Victorian Providers/Thrivingkidsvic.au is an independent platform associated with Qaswa.au. We are not a Victorian Government, Australian Government, NDIA or NDIS website, and we do not administer the Thriving Kids program.

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Discovery

Providers relevant to dietetics

Independent Victorian providers offering services in this category. Availability and response data is shown where measured.

WONDER KIDS OT

Verified information

Occupational Therapy

Speech Pathology • Early Childhood Development Support • Supported Playgroups & Group Programs • Assistive Technology • Capacity Building & Everyday Skills

Our occupational therapy services are designed to help children develop essential life and developmental skills through personalized and evidence-based therapy. We focus on improving fine motor skills, sensory processing, attention, self-regulation, and daily living abilities while supporting children in becoming more independent and confident through engaging and child-friendly therapy sessions.

Dandenong
Telehealth available
Ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13+ years
Response time not yet measured
Accepting enquiriesNDIS services offeredPrivate payment acceptedMedicare rebate may apply

New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete

Family Relationships Institute Inc.

Verified information

Psychology

Early Childhood Development Support • Parent & Family Support • Social Work • Family Support Services

Family Relationships Institute Inc., trading as RelateWell, was founded in 1978 and is a not‑for‑profit community organisation delivering essential prevention and early intervention services across key transition points in the family lifecycle. Family and relationship services deliver the strongest outcomes for children by providing early, structured support that strengthens parental wellbeing, reduces conflict, and promotes secure, healthy family relationships. RelateWell’s services target the major stages of relationship formation, extension and separation, with a focus on strengthening relationships, preventing breakdown, and promoting wellbeing through counselling and psychoeducation. Our specialist mental health services provide structured, evidence‑based interventions tailored to the needs and complexities of adults, adolescents and children requiring targeted psychological support. RelateWell is a recognised leader in primary prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery, working closely with key stakeholders to support community wellbeing during significant life events. We are committed to providing accessible, safe and inclusive services to all members of the community. RelateWell is a registered NDIS provider of Therapeutic Supports, delivering specialised mental health, counselling and therapeutic services to eligible NDIS participants. Our Family and Relationship Services (FaRS) are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and have been Commonwealth‑funded since our inception in 1978. RelateWell is also a Commonwealth service provider of contracted mental health services. As a registered NDIS provider of Therapeutic Supports, RelateWell is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based services that support participants to improve wellbeing, build capacity and achieve their individual goals.

Coburg
Telehealth available
Ages 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13+ years, 3-5 years
Response time not yet measured
Accepting enquiriesNDIS services offeredNDIS registeredPrivate payment acceptedMedicare rebate may apply

New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete

Canopy Children's Therapy

Verified information

Capacity Building & Everyday Skills

Early Childhood Development Support • Parent & Family Support

Registered Play Therapist offering play therapy, counselling and family supports to children and families in Geelong and surrounds. Through my practice, Canopy Children's Therapy in Newtown, I work with children in a warm, welcoming space where they can be themselves and feel understood. My approach is child-centred, neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and strengths-based, and I work closely with parents and carers so the progress carries into home and school life. I support children with big feelings, separation anxiety, school refusal, social challenges, transitions and masking. I have a special interest in supporting highly sensitive girls and children who have experienced medical trauma or fear of medical procedures. Under our canopy, every child can thrive.

Clinic in Newtown
Telehealth available
Ages 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13+ years
Response time not yet measured
Short waitlistNDIS services offeredPrivate payment accepted

New listing · Availability updated recently · Profile 70% complete

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