FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to access services?
FAQ answer: No, a referral is not required to access our services.
Do you offer Telehealth appointments?
FAQ answer: Yes, Telehealth is available to all clients if and when practical and preferred. Please make sure to check your private health insurance policy, as not all insurers offer rebates for telehealth appointments.
Are Medicare rebates available?
FAQ answer: Medicare typically does not cover allied healthcare services, with a few exceptions. Clinical Nutrition is currently not an included service under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Chronic Disease Management Plans.
Are Private Health Insurance rebates available?
FAQ answer: If your private health insurance cover includes Nutrition, you may be able to use your insurance to cover some or all of the cost of services by our Certified Practicing Nutritionist. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider for more information.
What is your fee schedule?
Fees are privately billed:
Intake consultation – $300 (allow up to 60 minutes)
Follow-up consultation – $150 (allow up to 30 minutes)
Additional charges may be incurred where further testing and therapeutic nutritional treatment is required.
What is the difference between a Certified Practicing Nutritionist and a dietician?
Qualified practitioners within the dietary services space are identified by trademarked professional titles, such as AARPN’s Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN) and Dietitians Australia’s Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD), to identify them from lesser qualified individuals.
Compared to CPN, the APD degree qualification training does not contain clinical practicum training in Nutritional Medicine. Dietitian training programs do not contain all the theoretical components necessary to underpin an independent Nutritional Medicine prescribing capacity.
Are you a registered and certified member of a professional body?
Yes, Petra is a Certified Practicing Nutritionist member of The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN), a peak body representing professional, degree qualified, clinically trained Nutritionists. AARPN is an ordinary member of Allied Health Professions Australia. and a full member of the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP).
Does a clinical nutritionist diagnose and treat disease?
While it is not within the scope of practice of a CPN to make a medical disease diagnosis, they qualified and trained to engage with both health and disease – both from the perspective of supporting good health and supporting the remediation of disease states.
Why the emphasis on Food as Medicine first?
Achieving daily healthy food and nutrition habits is the most powerful means to optimise health and reduce the risk of chronic and age-related diseases. Our focus is on empowering clients with food first strategies nutritional therapeutics where beneficial to restore balance to cellular, digestive, hormonal and immune function.
Can I see you if I'm already under care from a medical specialist?
Yes, nutrition is an essential part of integrated healthcare to optimise recovery and health outcomes. Many patients ask for nutrition guidance in addition to specialist care. Patient outcomes can be greatly enhanced with support from a clinical nutritionist, especially for chronic inflammatory and cardiometabolic conditions.