Nutritionist in a shared clinic room

Local residents wanting face-to-face support, often referred by other practitioners in the same clinic.

Fee per consult, with follow-up appointments and optional plans. You pay room hire by the session, day or as a share of fees.

• Solid nutrition knowledge and a relevant qualification
• Listening and putting clients at ease
• Networking with other health practitioners
• Keeping client records

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and check whether the clinic requires its own cover
• Room hire is a fixed cost, so test demand with one or two days before committing
• The title 'dietitian' and the Accredited Practising Dietitian credential are tied to specific qualifications, check what you can call yourself
• Refer clients with medical conditions beyond your scope to a GP or accredited dietitian
• Client record keeping and privacy rules, check your obligations
• Private health rebates generally won't apply to every nutritionist, check before promising clients anything

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on room hire, insurance and how you set up bookings and records. These are estimates, and room hire is a fixed cost, so consider testing demand with one or two days first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many days you rent a room and how many clients you see. These are estimates, and room hire and other costs come out of that revenue.

Check your insurance, including whether the clinic requires its own cover, and what you can call yourself, as 'dietitian' and Accredited Practising Dietitian are tied to specific qualifications. Also check client record and privacy obligations, and when to refer clients beyond your scope.