PERSONALISED CARE

Natural, evidence-based naturopathic care for long-term health

If you’re looking for a naturopath or natural medicine practitioner, you’re likely seeking care that looks beyond symptoms and considers the whole picture – without guesswork, generic protocols, or being rushed through appointments.

At Melbourne Functional Medicine, our naturopaths provide personalised, evidence-informed care to help uncover what’s driving your symptoms and support your health over the long term. The focus is on clarity, structure, and working with you to create a plan that feels practical, tailored, and sustainable.

middle aged woman outside orange tshirt headphones smiling checking fitness watch

What makes our naturopathic care different

A functional medicine approach, grounded in evidence

Our naturopaths practise using a functional medicine framework – a whole-person, evidence-based approach that looks at how your body’s systems, lifestyle, and environment interact, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.

You’ll work with an experienced practitioner who takes the time to listen, asks the right questions, and uses targeted testing where appropriate to guide decisions. Care may focus on areas such as digestive health, hormones, metabolic and thyroid function, cardiovascular health, immune balance, and overall wellbeing – based on what’s relevant to you.

This approach is particularly helpful if you’ve tried supplements, diets, or natural therapies before without clear or lasting results.

An award winning clinic

How it works

STEP 1

STEP 1

Book your initial consultation

Start with a 60-minute appointment (online or in clinic), where we understand your health goals and start your personalised plan.

STEP 2

STEP 2

Complete your lab testing

Where appropriate, we use targeted testing rather than guesswork. We partner with world-class laboratories and combine results with expert clinical interpretation.

STEP 3

STEP 3

Review your results

We translate complex functional reports into clear, meaningful insights, so you understand what’s happening in your body and why.

STEP 4

STEP 4

Ongoing personalised care

Your treatment plan continues to evolve over time, combining lifestyle, nutrition, and therapeutics, with follow-up consultations as needed to support lasting change.

 

woman with white hair wearing white top soft smile

“Over the years, I've seen countless practitioners, both medical and alternative, but without the in-depth testing and analysis, progress was painfully slow. MFM provided the clarity I needed”

Liesl M
Functional medicine patient

Flexible care pricing & what to expect

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPOINTMENT

Get started for

$347

Initial 60 minute consultation

45 minute follow up appointments

Care with an experienced functional medicine practitioner

Personalised recommendations

You guide your appointment schedule

You guide your treatment implementation

Access to the world's best pathology testing and supplements

young female long dark hair wearing light brown zip up hoodie smiling

“Lovely friendly service from the moment you walk in when greeted by Katie.
I saw Nina for my results she is fantastic.”

Nic
Functional medicine patient

Experience our highly awarded clinic

At the cutting edge

We’ve been tried, tested and awarded national awards recognising our excellence in customer service and innovative approach.

Meet our practitioners

Trusted by patients across Australia

Highly rated on Google

10+ years of care

 

Ready to take the next step?

Book a consultation and start exploring what’s really driving your health - with care designed to help you move forward. 

Want more information? Email us here or call 1300 614 814

When you need more than standalone appointments

Our award-winning program offers five months of continuous care with a practitioner and health coach, ideal for those with ongoing health issues who need deeper investigation and guided, structured support.

Frequently

Asked

Questions

What’s the difference between a naturopath and a functional medicine practitioner?

Naturopathy and functional medicine share a similar goal: to look beyond symptoms and understand the underlying causes of health concerns. Both use evidence-informed nutrition, lifestyle support, and targeted supplementation to support whole-person health.

Traditional naturopathy is a broad natural-medicine system that may include herbal medicine, nutrition, and holistic lifestyle care. Functional medicine is a more systems-based clinical approach that places strong emphasis on identifying the biological drivers behind symptoms, often using detailed case-taking, timelines, and appropriate testing to understand how different body systems are interacting.

At our clinic, practitioners are naturopaths with additional training in functional medicine. This means you receive the holistic, person-centred care naturopathy is known for, combined with a more investigative, structured approach to complex or ongoing health issues. We focus on identifying patterns and root causes, then creating practical, individualised plans to support long-term improvement rather than short-term symptom relief.

Is this suitable if I’ve already tried naturopathy or natural remedies?

Often, yes. Many people come to us after trying supplements, diets, or naturopathic care without lasting improvement.

Our approach focuses on understanding why previous strategies may not have worked and refining care using deeper assessment and structured follow-up.

Do I need to have a specific condition to work with a naturopath?

No. People seek naturopathic care for a wide range of concerns, including digestive issues, hormone balance, fatigue, metabolic health, immune support, and general wellbeing.

Your practitioner will help clarify whether this approach – and the way we practise it – is the right fit for your goals.

How does the process work?

1. Book your initial consultation.
Complete a detailed intake form before your appointment to help your practitioner prepare.

2. Meet your practitioner.
Explore your health history and main concerns in depth.

3. Begin your plan.
Receive tailored recommendations and, if appropriate, suggestions for testing to uncover key insights.

4. Continue as needed.
Book follow-ups to review results, refine your plan, and build long-term wellbeing.

What does a healthcare plan look like?

After your initial consultation, your practitioner will outline personalised recommendations based on your needs and goals. This may include diet and lifestyle strategies, nutrient or herbal support, and referrals for functional testing if indicated.

Your plan evolves over time through follow-up appointments, where your practitioner reviews your progress and refines your approach.

What kind of testing do you provide?

Most of the testing we do seeks to understand how pathways or systems in your body function. These tests are typically more in-depth and comprehensive than you’ve encountered before.

We sometimes request standard blood chemistry from your GP for more basic tests, and if we need to go more in-depth, we use the world’s leading labs:

Precision Analytical

Genova Diagnostics

KBMO

NutriPath

Metametrix

Mosaic Diagnostics

Bioceuticals for DNA testing

Many of these labs are overseas, so test results can take a few weeks to come back.

Read our article on functional testing here.

What qualifications and experience do your practitioners have?

Our practitioners are highly qualified functional medicine-trained naturopaths with a strong academic and clinical background. All have:

  • A minimum of 10 years’ clinical experience, with most having worked in healthcare for over 20–30 years
  • A Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) or equivalent
  • Formal training in functional medicine, a systems-based approach to addressing root causes of illness
  • Experience in teaching at tertiary level, including institutions like Endeavour College and Torrens University

This depth of knowledge and experience allows them to confidently manage chronic health conditions with evidence-based natural therapies.

Can I get any health rebates from my insurance provider for this service?

While functional medicine is not covered, naturopathy will be covered again by private health insurance in Australia from 1 July 2025, following recent legislative changes. Coverage for naturopathy was removed in 2019, but a government review has now recommended its reinstatement. It’s important to note that each private health insurer will decide whether to include naturopathy, the level of benefits offered, and when coverage becomes available. To confirm what applies to you, check your insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact them directly.

How much do consultations cost?

The initial 60-minute consultation is $347. Follow up appointments are $267 for a 45-minute standard consultation, and $227 for a short 30-minute session.

What other out-of-pocket expenses can I expect?

Other costs you can potentially expect are for laboratory tests and supplements. Your practitioner will discuss the costs for any tests or supplements they recommend in your sessions.

Where are you located and do you offer online consultations?

Our clinic is based in South Melbourne, and we offer consultations both in-clinic and online for people across Australia.

How do I get started?

Simply book your consultation online here. After booking, you’ll receive a link to your intake form and appointment details via email. If you’d like more information, call our clinic on 1300 614 814, or complete the enquiry form below.

Want more information?

Complete the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

jessica cairns health coach sitting at desk smiling typing on computer