1. What is a dietitian?
2. What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
3. What is an APD?
4. What is a diabetes educator?
5. What is a CDE?
6. Do you have appointments available after hours?
7. Are consultation fees claimable with Medicare?
8. Are consultation fees claimable with Private Health Funds?
9. What are your consultation fees?
10. How can I pay?
11. What happens in the first consultation?
12. How often will I have to come?
13. Having tried lots of diets without much success, will seeing you be different?

1. What is a dietitian? Top

Dietitians have university qualifications in nutrition and dietetics and have the training and expertise to advise individuals and groups on all nutrition-related matters, from healthy eating and disease prevention to the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders and food allergy. Dietitians are eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) and to participate in the Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) program.

For more information about DAA and the APD Program, visit the DAA website: http://www.daa.asn.au/

2. What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist? Top

Dietitians have a minimum of 4 to 5 years of university training and are experts in nutrition and dietetics. They have the knowledge, understanding and clinical training to enable them to advise individuals and groups on all nutrition-related matters, from healthy eating to health problems. Dietitians are also eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and to participate in the Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) program.

While all dietitians are also nutritionists, on its own the title 'Nutritionist' could apply to a qualified nutrition scientist or someone with an interest but little or no training in nutrition. Choosing an APD is your assurance that your nutrition advice is coming from a qualified professional.

For more information about DAA and the APD Program, visit the DAA website: http://www.daa.asn.au/

3. What is an APD? Top 

An Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is a dietitian who fulfils the continuing education and professional development requirements of the DAA APD Program. The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) administers the APD Program and APDs are bound by the DAA Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics. To maintain accreditation an APD needs to set ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) goals and to complete at least 30 hours per year of CPD in a variety of areas.

APDs provide advice based on scientific evidence and have years of university training. When you choose an APD you can be confident that your nutrition advice is coming from a qualified nutrition professional.

For more information about DAA and the APD Program, visit the DAA website: http://www.daa.asn.au/

4. What is a diabetes educator? Top 

A Diabetes EducatorTM is a health professional who has knowledge, skills and experience in the care of people with diabetes and is a full member of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).

For more information visit the ADEA website http://www.adea.com.au/

5. What is a CDE? Top 

A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a full member of ADEA who has completed an ADEA accredited graduate Diabetes Education Course and in addition, has completed a supervised period of clinical practice and activities which fulfil the continuing education and professional development requirements of the ADEA Credentialling Program.

For more information visit the ADEA website http://www.adea.com.au/

6. Do you have appointments available after hours? Top 

Yes, we have appointments available both before and after working hours on most weekdays as well as appointments available on Saturdays. Please see our consulting times for more details.

7. Are consultation fees claimable with Medicare? Top 

Medicare generally only provides rebates for medical practitioners including GPs and specialists, however the new Medicare Plus does provide some rebates for dietitians for certain conditions and circumstances. To find out if you are eligible, you will need to speak with your GP.

8. Are consultation fees claimable with Private Health Funds? Top 

Yes, rebates are available from most private health funds although this depends on your level of cover. You will need to have 'extras' cover to be able to claim back consultation fees for dietitians. A list of the health funds we are registered with is available here.

9. What are your consultation fees? Top 

Fees are $130-$150 for an initial consultation and $60-$70 for follow-up consultations. Fees are payable on the day of consultation by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS and we ask you to give us at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to attend.

A cancellation fee applies for missed appointments or where less than 24 hours notice is given to cancel an appointment.

10. How can I pay? Top 

Fees are payable on the day of consultation by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS and we ask you to give us at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to attend.

11. What happens in the first consultation? Top 

Your first consultation will take about an hour and will begin with collecting information from you including your personal details, weight history, medical history, usual eating patterns & activity levels, and your goals and expectations for your consultations with us. This information will allow us to assess your needs and to provide information and education relevant to your situation. We will then assist you in developing an eating plan to meet your individual needs as well as the information and ideas you need to put this into practice. A follow-up appointment will usually be arranged in 2-4 weeks time.

12. How often will I have to come? Top 

This will depend on your needs and goals and the level of assistance you require to make changes to your eating habits. Where possible we like to see you within 2-4 weeks of your first appointment to review your progress and answer any questions you may have. Some people like to come every week or two until they achieve their goals, while others only want one or two sessions to obtain the information they need. You will always have the choice of how often you wish to come and you pay only as you go so there is no long term commitment if you change your mind at any stage. However we do offer some 12 week weight loss programs with the option of paying up-front or in monthly installments.

13. Having tried lots of diets without much success, will this be different? Top 

At Northside Nutrition and Dietetics we understand that dieting doesn't work! If your eating plan is not something you can stick to forever, if you don't enjoy what you eat, if you are hungry all the time and if what you eat doesn't fit in with your family and social life, you are unlikely to be successful.

We will develop an eating and activity plan to suit your needs and lifestyle and help you to set realistic and achievable goals to lose weight and keep it off for good!

Whether this is the first time you have tried to lose weight or you have tried everything else and are ready to get off the dieting merry-go-round, we look forward to working with you.