Lisa Adams
About Lisa Adams — Gold Coast Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
Lisa Adams is the founder and director of Apple A Day Dietetics, one of South-East Queensland’s most established private dietetics practices. With a dual foundation in medicine and nutrition science — rare among practising dietitians — Lisa brings a clinical depth that goes beyond standard dietary counselling. Her undergraduate degree from the University of New South Wales gave her grounding in human physiology, pharmacology, and disease mechanisms that she applies directly to her nutrition practice. Her Masters from Griffith University and postgraduate diabetes qualification from Curtin University together form the credentialled backbone of her clinical work.
Over more than fifteen years, Lisa has worked with individuals across the full spectrum of health complexity: from newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes to long-term NDIS participants with multiple comorbidities, from children with feeding difficulties to adults managing post-bariatric surgery nutrition. Her approach is evidence-based by training and practical by design. Every nutrition plan she develops reflects what research supports and what a real person can actually sustain.
Clinical Philosophy
Lisa’s approach sits at the intersection of clinical rigour and lived reality. She does not believe in eliminating food groups, prescribing extreme caloric restriction, or applying a standard protocol to every client. She works from a thorough assessment of each person’s medical history, medications, lifestyle, cultural food preferences, and daily routine — then builds a nutrition plan that is specific to that person, not to a condition category.
For NDIS participants, this means understanding how disability affects a person’s relationship with food and eating — whether that is a physical barrier to food preparation, a sensory processing difference, a swallowing disorder, or a cognitive need for visual or simplified resources. For clients managing chronic disease, it means understanding the medication–nutrition interaction, the evidence behind recommended dietary patterns, and how to translate that into meals that work for a real household in the Gold Coast, Logan, or Brisbane.
Qualifications and Professional Registration
| Credential | Awarding Institution |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (Medicine) | University of New South Wales |
| Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) | Griffith University, Gold Coast |
| Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management | Curtin University |
| Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) | Dietitians Australia |
| Accredited Nutritionist (AN) | Dietitians Australia |
| NDIS Registered Provider | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
Lisa maintains active registration with Dietitians Australia, the peak professional body for dietitians in Australia. APD status requires ongoing continuing professional development and annual renewal — it is not a once-awarded title. The NDIS specifically requires all funded dietitian services to be delivered by an APD. Lisa’s practice meets this requirement and holds registration as an NDIS provider under the Improved Daily Living support category.
Clinical Areas of Expertise — Gold Coast Dietitian Services
If you’re looking for a dietitian on the Gold Coast, Lisa Adams provides evidence-based nutrition care across a wide range of medical conditions, life stages, and NDIS-funded supports. Her clinical areas of expertise include diabetes management, gut health, weight management, paediatric nutrition, dysphagia, and chronic disease care. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Lisa delivers personalised nutrition plans based on current clinical guidelines — not generic advice — with services available via Medicare, NDIS, DVA, and private consultations.
NDIS Nutrition Support and Capacity Building
Lisa is a registered NDIS provider with extensive experience supporting participants across disability types including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, psychosocial disability, physical impairment, and degenerative neurological conditions. NDIS nutrition services are funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living (support line item 07_002_0106_6_3). Lisa accepts NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants. No GP referral is required.
Diabetes Management and Education — Diabetic Dietitian, Gold Coast
Lisa holds a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management from Curtin University, making her one of a small number of Gold Coast dietitians with a formal postgraduate qualification in diabetes care. She works with individuals managing Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes, as well as those living with insulin resistance associated with PCOS or metabolic syndrome. Her clinical focus is on blood glucose management through dietary pattern, not blanket carbohydrate restriction because the evidence supports nuance, not elimination.
Weight Management — Evidence-Based, Not Restrictive
Lisa’s approach to weight management is grounded in what the long-term evidence actually supports: sustainable behavioural change, a positive relationship with food, and metabolic health as a primary marker rather than a number on a scale. She does not advocate rapid weight loss programs, extreme caloric restriction, or meal replacement regimens. For clients on the Gold Coast seeking weight loss support funded through Medicare or NDIS, this service can form part of a broader health management plan.
Dysphagia and Texture-Modified Diet Planning
Lisa provides IDDSI-compliant (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) dietary assessments and texture-modified meal plans for participants with swallowing difficulties. This is a specialist area relevant to NDIS participants in Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), as well as aged care clients and individuals with neurological conditions. Lisa works collaboratively with speech pathologists and provides staff training for facility teams on safe food preparation to IDDSI standards.
Gut Health and Gastrointestinal Conditions
Irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, SIBO, and general gastrointestinal distress all have evidence-based dietary management strategies. Lisa is experienced in low-FODMAP dietary assessment and implementation, fibre modification, and the clinical management of food intolerances and allergies. This is an area where accurate dietary assessment matters significantly — elimination diets applied incorrectly can do nutritional harm.
Cardiovascular Disease and Lipid Management
Lisa provides dietary management for elevated cholesterol, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk. She works alongside GPs and cardiologists to support clients who want to manage cardiovascular risk through dietary intervention, with or without concurrent medication. Evidence-based dietary patterns for cardiovascular health are well-established; translating them into a realistic daily eating pattern for a Gold Coast household is the clinical skill.
Women’s Health — PCOS, Fertility, Menopause, and Pregnancy Nutrition
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, fertility nutrition, post-natal dietary recovery, and peri-menopausal metabolic change all have distinct nutritional evidence bases. Lisa provides condition-specific nutrition support for women at each of these stages, avoiding the generic “eat healthy” advice that characterises too much nutrition content in this space.
Paediatric Nutrition and Feeding
Lisa supports children and adolescents with growth and development concerns, fussy eating, food allergies and intolerances, and eating behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions. For NDIS-eligible children, paediatric nutrition support is fundable under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living.
Pre- and Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition
Apple A Day Dietetics provides a structured bariatric nutrition program covering pre-surgery dietary preparation and the full post-surgical dietary transition from the immediate post-operative stage through to long-term maintenance. This is a service where clinical sequencing matters: inadequate nutrition preparation or post-surgical dietary error carries a genuine health risk.
NDIS Dietitian Gold Coast — What You Need to Know Before Booking
If you’re an NDIS participant looking for a dietitian on the Gold Coast, here’s what you need to know before booking. Lisa Adams is a registered NDIS dietitian providing evidence-based nutrition support under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living category. Services are available to NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants, with no GP referral required.
NDIS dietitian support focuses on improving daily living skills through personalised nutrition strategies tailored to your disability, health conditions, and lifestyle. This can include meal planning, texture-modified diets, support for swallowing difficulties, and managing conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and malnutrition.
Appointments are available in-clinic, via telehealth, or as home visits across the Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane, including Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) settings. Lisa also works closely with support coordinators, carers, and allied health teams to ensure your nutrition plan aligns with your broader NDIS goals and delivers practical, real-world outcomes.
Is Lisa Adams an NDIS-Registered Dietitian?
Yes. Lisa Adams and the Apple A Day Dietetics team are registered NDIS providers. NDIS registration means the practice has been assessed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and meets the required practice standards for delivering funded support. This matters because only registered NDIS providers can deliver services to NDIA-managed participants. Plan-managed and self-managed participants have more flexibility, but registration remains an important quality signal.
What Disability Types Does Lisa Support Under the NDIS?
Lisa works with participants across a broad range of primary disability categories:
Neurological and intellectual disabilities: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), acquired brain injury (ABI), intellectual disability, ADHD, Down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and functional neurological disorder.
Physical impairment: amputation, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and physical disabilities affecting the ability to prepare or consume food independently.
Neuromuscular conditions: cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, including conditions affecting swallowing, chewing, and fine motor control related to eating.
Psychosocial disability: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety disorders, where nutrition is a meaningful component of overall mental health support.
How Is NDIS Dietitian Funding Structured?
NDIS dietitian services for participants are funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living support category. The specific support line item is 07_002_0106_6_3. If your NDIS plan includes a Capacity Building budget with Improved Daily Living, you can use it to fund appointments with Lisa.
Your plan does not need to explicitly name a dietitian — if Improved Daily Living is funded in your Capacity Building budget, dietitian services are eligible. If you are unsure whether your current plan covers this, contact Apple A Day Dietetics directly and we will help you confirm before booking.
| Plan Management Type | Can access Apple A Day Dietetics? |
|---|---|
| NDIA-managed (Agency-managed) | Yes — registered NDIS provider |
| Plan-managed | Yes |
| Self-managed | Yes |
No GP referral is required for NDIS-funded dietitian appointments.
What NDIS Dietitian Services Does Lisa Provide?
Lisa and the Apple A Day Dietetics team provide the full range of NDIS-fundable dietitian services:
- Comprehensive nutrition assessment incorporating disability-specific dietary considerations
- Personalised nutrition plans and evidence-based meal planning
- Texture-modified and IDDSI-compliant diet planning for participants with dysphagia
- Medical nutrition therapy for participants managing chronic conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease)
- Cooking skill development sessions and practical food preparation support
- Supermarket education and food budgeting guidance
- Visual and simplified nutrition resources for participants with cognitive or communication differences
- Carer and support worker nutrition training
- SIL and SDA facility visit services, including staff education on IDDSI compliance
- NDIS reporting, progress notes, and plan review documentation
- Collaboration with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals in the participant’s care team
How to Make an NDIS Referral to Lisa Adams
For participants contacting us directly:
- Check that your NDIS plan includes Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living funding
- Call Apple A Day Dietetics on 0406 761 558 or complete the online NDIS referral form
- We will contact you within two business days to confirm your first appointment
- No GP referral is needed before your first session
For support coordinators:
- Complete the NDIS Referral Form on behalf of the participant
- Include the participant’s primary disability, plan management type, and key NDIS goals in the referral
- We will reach out to the participant or their carer directly within two business days
Service Delivery — Where Lisa Sees NDIS Participants
Gold Coast clinic locations: Tallebudgera, Broadbeach, Burleigh Waters, Chirn Park, Shailer Park
Logan clinic locations: Loganholme, Rochedale South, Shailer Park, Mt Warren Park, Marsden, Crestmead, Waterford, and Waterford West.
Home visits: Available across Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane. Home visits are available for NDIS participants who have difficulty attending a clinic due to their disability, mobility, or transport access. Travel fees may apply depending on location — confirm at time of booking.
SIL and SDA facility visits: Lisa visits Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation facilities across Gold Coast and Logan. Services include individual participant assessments, facility menu reviews, IDDSI compliance audits, and staff education sessions.
Telehealth: Available for all participants across Queensland and Australia. Telehealth is fully eligible for NDIS billing under all plan management types. For participants in outer suburbs or rural areas, telehealth may be the most practical initial option.
How to Fund Your Dietitian Appointment — Medicare, NDIS,
If you’re wondering how to pay for a dietitian on the Gold Coast, there are three main options: Medicare rebates, NDIS funding, and private payment. The right pathway depends on your health condition, eligibility, and whether you have an existing care plan or NDIS support. Understanding these options before booking helps you reduce out-of-pocket costs and access the right level of care without delays.
Cost is one of the most common reasons people delay seeing a dietitian — but in many cases, services are partially or fully funded. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, receiving disability support, or simply seeking nutrition advice, there is usually a funding pathway available. This section breaks down each option clearly so you can choose the most suitable and cost-effective approach.
Medicare Rebates for Dietitian Services on the Gold Coast
Medicare rebates for dietitian services are available through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (formerly the Chronic Disease Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement — updated by the Government from 1 July 2025 to the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, or GPCCMP).
Under this pathway:
- Your GP assesses whether you have a chronic or complex condition that meets Medicare’s eligibility criteria
- If eligible, your GP prepares a GPCCMP and writes a referral directly to your chosen APD dietitian
- You can access up to five Medicare-rebated allied health consultations per calendar year across your allied health team
- The current Medicare rebate for an eligible dietitian consultation is $61.80 per session
- You are not required to see a specific dietitian — you choose the APD you want to work with
Apple A Day Dietetics bulk bills selected concession card holders. Call 0406 761 558 to confirm your eligibility before booking if out-of-pocket cost is a consideration.
DVA clients: Gold Card holders are fully bulk billed. A GP referral using the DVA referral form (D904) is required.
Important: Medicare does not fund general nutrition advice. The rebate applies to clinical dietetic management of a diagnosed chronic or complex health condition — your GP will advise whether you qualify.
NDIS Funding
If you’re an NDIS participant, dietitian services can often be fully funded through your plan. Nutrition support is typically included under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living category, making it accessible without out-of-pocket costs for many participants. This means you can receive ongoing, personalised nutrition care that supports your independence, health, and daily functioning without needing to pay privately.
NDIS funding is designed to improve practical life skills, and dietitian support plays a key role in areas such as meal planning, food preparation, and managing disability-related nutrition challenges. Services are available across the Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane, including home visits, telehealth, and support within SIL and SDA settings. If you’re unsure whether your plan includes dietitian support, the clinic can help you check your eligibility and guide you through the booking process before you commit.
Private Paying Clients
If you don’t have access to Medicare or NDIS funding, you can still see a dietitian as a private client. This is often the fastest and most flexible option, allowing you to book directly without waiting for GP approvals or plan assessments. Private appointments give you immediate access to expert nutrition advice, whether you’re managing a health condition or simply looking to improve your diet and lifestyle.
This option is ideal for individuals who want to take a proactive approach to their health without restrictions on session numbers or eligibility criteria. You have full control over your appointment schedule and the focus of your nutrition plan, making it easier to stay consistent and achieve long-term results. Private health insurance rebates may also apply depending on your extras cover, helping to reduce overall costs.
Clients without a Medicare care plan or NDIS funding can book private appointments directly. See the Apple A Day Dietetics fee schedule for current consultation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions — NDIS Dietitian Gold Coast
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist on the Gold Coast?
In Australia, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is a legally protected credential. To hold APD status, a practitioner must complete a minimum four-year accredited university degree in nutrition and dietetics, maintain active registration with Dietitians Australia, and complete ongoing professional development. The title nutritionist is not regulated in Australia — anyone can use it regardless of their qualifications or training. For clinical nutrition management, Medicare rebates, or NDIS-funded nutrition services, you must see an APD. Lisa Adams holds both APD and Accredited Nutritionist (AN) status through Dietitians Australia.
Does the NDIS fund dietitian services on the Gold Coast?
Yes. NDIS dietitian services are funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living support category (line item 07_002_0106_6_3). If your NDIS plan includes a Capacity Building budget, you can use it to access dietitian services with Apple A Day Dietetics. All three plan management types are accepted: NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed. No GP referral is required.
Can I get a bulk billing dietitian appointment on the Gold Coast?
Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). Under this plan, your GP refers you to a dietitian and Medicare rebates $61.80 per eligible consultation, for up to five allied health visits per calendar year. Apple A Day Dietetics bulk bills selected concession card holders — call 0406 761 558 to confirm your eligibility. DVA Gold Card holders are fully bulk billed with a D904 referral from their GP.
Do I need a referral to see Lisa Adams?
No GP referral is required to book a private appointment or an NDIS-funded appointment with Lisa Adams. A GP referral is only required if you want to claim a Medicare rebate through the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, or if you hold a DVA card. Support coordinators can refer NDIS participants directly using the online referral form.
Does Lisa offer home visit dietitian services on the Gold Coast?
Yes. Home visit dietitian services are available across the Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane. This includes visits to private residences, Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation, and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) facilities. Home visits are particularly suitable for NDIS participants who have difficulty accessing a clinic due to mobility, transport, or their disability. Travel fees may apply depending on your location — confirm at time of booking.
What is an NDIS dietitian and what do they do?
An NDIS dietitian is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who provides nutrition support to NDIS participants as part of their funded plan. NDIS dietitians assess a participant’s nutritional status, develop personalised meal plans, manage clinical nutrition conditions such as dysphagia or malnutrition, build practical food and cooking skills, and provide carer and support worker training. They must hold APD status — this is an NDIS requirement, not a practice preference. Lisa Adams is an NDIS-registered APD with over fifteen years of clinical experience.
What conditions does an NDIS dietitian treat?
NDIS dietitians support participants with any disability type that affects their nutritional health or their ability to eat and prepare food independently. Common conditions include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, physical impairment, psychosocial disability, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Specific nutrition conditions managed include dysphagia and texture modification needs, malnutrition, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Is telehealth available for NDIS dietitian appointments?
Yes. Lisa Adams and the Apple A Day Dietetics team offer secure telehealth consultations for NDIS participants across all plan management types. Telehealth appointments are conducted via video call and are fully eligible for NDIS billing. This option is particularly suitable for participants in outer suburbs of Gold Coast, Logan, or Brisbane, or for those who prefer to consult from home.
Can a dietitian help with weight loss on the Gold Coast?
Yes. Lisa provides evidence-based weight management support for private clients, Medicare clients, and NDIS participants where weight management aligns with their NDIS goals. Her approach is not a short-term diet program; it is a structured clinical assessment followed by a sustainable, individualised plan based on your metabolic health, lifestyle, and preferences. For NDIS participants, weight management that supports mobility or independence goals can be included in the Capacity Building budget.
What is the NDIS Improved Daily Living budget and can it fund dietitian services?
The Improved Daily Living budget sits within the NDIS Capacity Building support category. It is designed to fund services that help participants build skills, manage health conditions, and increase independence in daily activities. Dietitian services are explicitly fundable under this category. The specific line item is 07_002_0106_6_3. If your plan includes Improved Daily Living funding, you can use it to book with Apple A Day Dietetics — no additional approval is required.
How do I refer my NDIS client to a Gold Coast dietitian?
Support coordinators can refer directly to Apple A Day Dietetics using the NDIS Referral Form on the Apple A Day website. Please include the participant’s primary disability, plan management type, relevant goals from their NDIS plan, and any clinical information relevant to their nutrition needs. Lisa’s team will contact the participant or their carer within two business days to confirm the first appointment.
Book an Appointment with Lisa Adams — Gold Coast Dietitian
Lisa Adams sees clients across the Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane, with telehealth available for clients across Queensland and Australia. Whether you are an NDIS participant, a client with a Medicare care plan, or a private patient seeking evidence-based nutrition support, the process to get started is straightforward.
Clinic locations: Tallebudgera, Broadbeach, Burleigh Waters, Chirn Park, Shailer Park, Loganholme, and Rochedale South.
Service options: Clinic consultations, home visits (Gold Coast, Logan, Brisbane), SIL and SDA facility visits, telehealth.
Funding: NDIA-managed NDIS, plan-managed NDIS, self-managed NDIS, Medicare (GPCCMP), DVA (fully bulk billed), private health insurance, private fee.