Dietitians Australia has provided a submission to the Pharmaceutial Benefits Advisory Committee on 1) equitable access to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of obesity; and 2) SEMAGLUTIDE - Wegovy: Established cardiovascular disease with obesity. We call on the Government to: 1. Require referral to an APD before and on prescription of GLP-1 RA medicines for any therapeutic purpose. 2. Ensure consumer access to APDs before, during and after using GLP-1RA medicines.

In August 2025, Dietitians Australia submitted its response to the Senate inquiry into Aged care service delivery, urging the government to release additional Home Care Packages or bolster other support programs to reduce long waiting lists, meet urgent dietetic care needs and prevent avoidable health decline among older Australians. We highlighted that expanding access to dietetic services would help older people preserve wellness, manage chronic conditions and maintain independence at home. Additionally, timely support would enable long-term workforce planning among the dietetic workforce.

Dietitians Australia calls for food and nutrition to be recognised as a core pillar of the Thriving Kids framework. Nutrition is foundational to children’s growth, development, and wellbeing. Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) must be embedded across governance, funding, and service models to ensure safe, effective, and equitable care. DA recommends dedicated funding for dietetic services, inclusion of APDs in advisory and regulatory processes, co-design, and integration of nutrition screening, early intervention, and community programs. Embedding APDs across early childhood, education, and health systems will improve outcomes, reduce inequities, and strengthen Australia’s investment in children’s long-term health.

Dietitians Australia has responded to a consultation on the Feeding Australia: National Food Security Strategy. The Feeding Australia Strategy must be ambitious, equitable and health-centred. Food and nutrition security cannot be achieved through agricultural productivity alone. It requires a coordinated national approach that places nutrition, equity, environmental sustainability and accountability at the heart of the food system.

Dietitians Australia affirms that access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food and drinking water is a fundamental human right. This right is recognised in international law and is foundational to the health and dignity of all people.