Naturopathy and nutritional medicine are evidence-informed approaches that focus on both preventing illness and supporting existing health concerns by addressing their underlying causes. While scientific research guides treatment recommendations, clinical naturopaths and nutritionists also take a holistic view—considering diet, lifestyle, stress, environment, and overall wellbeing when assessing symptoms.

The body has an innate capacity to heal and restore balance when given the right conditions. Our role is to identify and reduce the factors that may be disrupting this balance, and to guide you toward supportive habits such as nourishing nutrition, appropriate movement, stress regulation, and restorative sleep.

Treatment plans are always individualised. We may use personalised herbal medicine formulations and practitioner-grade nutritional supplementation, alongside dietary and lifestyle strategies tailored to your needs. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach—every recommendation is designed to support you as a whole person, promoting long-term health and meaningful, lasting change.

A naturopathic consultation is a comprehensive, holistic health appointment designed to understand the whole person—not just a set of symptoms. Naturopathic consultations are longer (the initial is 60 minutes), more thorough, and more personalised than standard appointments. Instead of rushing through a list of symptoms, we explore the full context of your health so we can address root causes, not just surface-level issues.

You’re listened to, validated, and supported with a plan that meets you where you are.

You don’t have to be sick to see a naturopath or nutritionist, as naturopaths/nutritionists are also great for preventative care or if you want advice on a health/nutrition related issue, e.g. how to transition to a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet or how/what to eat when you are on a GLP-1 receptor agonist (Ozempic etc).

At AR Naturopathy & Nutrition, we also support clients with

• Digestive issues and gut health (IBS, IBD, SIBO, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, heartburn/reflux, etc.)
• Women’s health issues (PCOS, PMS/PMDD, heavy or painful periods etc)
• Stress, ‘burn out’
• Skin issues
• Glandular fever/Epstein-Barr virus, chronic fatigue
• Weight management

In Australia, a clinical naturopath and/or nutritionist will have a degree qualification (Bachelor of Health Sciences and/or Masters) in naturopathy or clinical nutrition from a reputable university/college in Australia. This allows them to be accredited by the Australian Natural Therapies Association (ANTA), Australasian Association & Register of Practicing Nutritionists(AARPN)or the Naturopath & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA). It is important to check someone’s credentials as the terms ‘naturopath’ or  ‘nutritionist’ are not protected in Australia, which means that anyone can call themselves a naturopath/nutritionist, regardless of what they have studied. The easiest way to clarify whether someone is indeed a clinical nutritionist is by checking whether they are a member of either ANTA, AARPN or NHAA, as these associations only admit practitioners with a recognised bachelor’s degree or above.

A bachelor’s degree in naturopathy is a 4-year, full time degree, and in clinical nutrition it is a 3-year, full-time degree. Both cover subjects such as human physiology & anatomy, chemistry & biochemistry, nutritional biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, nutritional medicine, sports nutrition, public health, basic psychology, nutritional research and others. Naturopathy studies also include herbal medicine, herbal pharmacology and herbal therapeutics. We are also required to work 300 hours (400 for naturopathy) in a supervised student clinic, where we see and treat members of the public.

A dietitian has completed a degree in nutrition plus additional accredited training in dietetics. This enables them to work in clinical and hospital settings, provide medical nutrition therapy, and support people with complex medical conditions. Dietitians often work within the conventional healthcare system and are eligible for Medicare rebates when referred by a GP under specific care plans.

A clinical nutritionist is also degree-qualified in nutritional science and works one-on-one to support people through diet, lifestyle and nutrition education. Clinical nutritionists typically take a holistic and systems-based perspective — meaning they look at how different parts of the body interact, and consider factors such as gut health, stress, sleep, environment, and lifestyle when addressing symptoms. Treatments are evidence-informed and may also include traditional and integrative approaches where appropriate. Clinical nutritionists may also recommend practitioner-only nutritional supplements when indicated.

Both professions value evidence-based practice — they simply work within different frameworks and healthcare settings, and you may choose based on the type of support and approach that feels right for you.

Yes, we are trained to look at a great variety of pathology tests, including functional testing, and how to interpret them. We can’t order tests refundable by Medicare, but we can order all blood tests, stool tests and many functional tests through various laboratories. You will, however, have to pay for these out of your own pocket.

For basic blood tests, we would provide you with a referral letter to your doctor, so that the tests can be covered by Medicare.

This depends on why you have come to see us! If it’s just for a general check and you don’t have any specific concerns, 1-2 visits a year are great.

If however, you have come to see us for a specific condition, it is likely that you would need to see us for at least 3 months, but ideally 6-12 months as it might take some time to make lasting changes.

Yes, we do have some availability for evening appointments. In-person after-hour appointments are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 62 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne (last appointment 6pm).

If none of the available times suit, please contact us through the form on the ‘Contacts’ page for available times.

All appointments have to be pre-paid by credit card. We do not accept cash.

No, Medicare does not cover naturopaths or nutritionists.

Yes, in Australia many private health insurers cover nutrition services. Check with your health fund if they cover a nutritionist.

Rebates for naturopathy appointments were reinstated by the federal government in 2025. Some Australian health insurers have started to offer these rebates for naturopathy from the 1st of April 2026. Please check with your health insurer whether they are offering naturopathy rebates.

It is unlikely that overseas insurers would cover the services of an Australia-based naturopath/nutritionist.

This depends on which tests we recommend for you. The most commonly recommended tests are

• Microba Microbiome Explorer at $485
• DUTCH Sex hormone and/or adrenal test ranging from $320 – $549

We will always advice you of the price of a test before ordering it. You pay the laboratory directly.

The cost of supplements is different for everyone and depends entirely on your condition. We realise that supplements can be expensive and therefore offer a 10% discount on all supplements ordered through http://vital.ly/ when you sign up for one of our programs.

Yes, we do! We understand that some might find it easier to spread the cost of a program over the course of the program.

If you are not happy with the program within the first 2 weeks of signing up, we offer a refund of what you have paid by this stage. However, if you have had your initial consult already, the cost of that consult will not be refunded.

When considering asking for a refund, do take into consideration that recovery from chronic conditions takes time. Naturopathy is not an instant fix. The best outcomes are achieved when clients stick to the entire treatment plan for the recommended time.

We can’t offer refunds on tests as you pay the laboratory directly for these.