Dietetics Private Practice
Starting your dietetics practice?
You spent 4+ years learning nutrition science. Nobody taught you how to run a business.
You spent 4-5 years learning nutrition science. Nobody taught you how to run a business.
Academic research has specifically identified a “significant gap in business education for graduate dietitians.” That's not speculation. It's a documented finding. Most dietetics degrees are heavily focused on hospital and community health settings, and private practice gets minimal (if any) coverage.
About 44% of Australia's ~9,000 registered dietitians work in private practice, and that number is growing. The barrier to entry is lower than many allied health professions because your overhead can be minimal. You don't need a treatment chair, an autoclave, or a gym full of equipment. A consulting room (or a telehealth setup) and good software is enough to start.
But that accessibility comes with its own challenges. You're competing in a market where unregulated nutritionists and wellness influencers can set up shop with no qualifications, often charging less and making bigger claims. Your advantage is clinical credibility and Medicare access through the CDM pathway. Knowing how to use that advantage is the business skill nobody taught you.
What catches new dietetics practice owners off guard
Starting private practice with virtually no business training, as academic research has specifically identified a 'significant gap in business education for graduate dietitians'
Understanding CDM billing when most of your university training focused on hospital and community health settings, not private practice
Competing with unregulated nutritionists and wellness influencers who charge less and make bigger (if unsubstantiated) claims
Deciding between telehealth-only, renting a room, or working from home when your overhead can be much lower than equipment-heavy professions
What you need to know before you start
These guides cover the shared foundations every allied health practitioner needs. Written for the CDM pathway and updated for the 2025 GPCCMP changes.
Medicare CDM Billing
The new GPCCMP system explained in plain English. How referrals work, the 5-session shared cap, item numbers by profession, and common billing mistakes.
12 min read
Practice Costs
Real numbers for insurance, software, room rental, registration, and the hidden costs nobody warns you about. Broken down by profession.
10 min read
Provider Number
The PRODA account, the HW093 form, common rejection reasons, and the location-specific trap. A plain-English walkthrough.
8 min read
Business Structure
Honest comparison with allied-health-specific considerations. GST, ABN registration, and when to get an accountant.
9 min read
Dietetics quick reference
Accreditation & Association
- Accreditation body
- Dietitians Australia (self-regulated, not AHPRA)
- Professional association
- Dietitians Australia
- AHPRA regulated
- No (self-regulated via DA)
Medicare & Fees
- Key CDM item numbers
- 10954, 10960, 81105
- Medicare rebate (individual)
- $56.70
- Typical session fee
- $80-$140
- Typical patient gap
- $23-$83
Medicare Item Numbers
| Item | Description | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| 10954 | Individual allied health service (20+ min) | $56.70 |
| 10960 | Individual allied health service via telehealth (20+ min) | $56.70 |
| 81105 | Group allied health service (60+ min) | $18.90 |
Get the free practice setup checklist
Updated for the 2025 GPCCMP changes. Covers business setup, Medicare, and your first 90 days.
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