Diabetes sector unites to push for affordable access to life-changing technologies | Diabetes Australia
Across Australia, the diabetes community is speaking with one voice to demand better, more affordable access to essential diabetes technologies.
In the lead-up to the National Diabetes Summit in March, two submissions have been presented to the 2026-27 Federal Budget. They argue for safer, more affordable technology access for those at the highest risk of complications.
Diabetes acts as a gateway to 57 other chronic conditions, including kidney and heart disease. Investing in effective diabetes management technologies is among the strongest ways to lessen both personal suffering and the broader economic burden of the disease.
The joint submissions, backed by peak diabetes bodies, researchers, and people with lived experience, urge the Australian Government to broaden subsidies through the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Specifically, they propose: expanding Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system subsidies for type 1 diabetes in priority groups, and extending continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) subsidies for type 2 and other diabetes types in priority groups.
This coordinated effort comes from Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, Breakthrough T1D, Diabetes WA, Diabetes Victoria, Diabetes SA, Healthy Living NT, and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. They highlight practical, targeted reforms designed to improve affordability, equity, and access to technology.
Diabetes costs Australia’s health system an estimated $14.2 billion annually, with forecasts rising to $45 billion by 2050. Modeling within the submissions suggests that broader access to insulin pumps and CGM devices would yield long-term savings by reducing preventable complications and hospitalizations.
Justine Cain, Group CEO of Diabetes Australia, emphasizes that CGM devices and AID systems are now standard care. “These technologies aren’t a ‘nice to have’—they are absolutely necessary,” she states. She notes a widening gap between what research shows works and what people can afford, insisting that cost should never determine access to life-changing care.
Cain illustrates everyday benefits: enabling children to feel safe at school or on camps, empowering women to plan healthy pregnancies, helping families sleep through the night without constant glucose checks, and supporting older Australians in maintaining independence and avoiding hospital admissions.
These technologies offer real-time data and precise insulin adjustments, dramatically lowering risks of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and limb amputation. Yet for too many Australians, affordability remains the barrier.
Cain adds that this policy discussion is crucial for delivering real improvements in the lives of people with diabetes and looks forward to constructive collaboration with government and sector partners.
Details from the AID subsidy submission propose extending funding to allow AID systems for about 38,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes in priority groups, including children and young people under 21, those facing socioeconomic disadvantage, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and individuals planning pregnancy. The suggested investment is $298.95 million over four years, with projected net benefits of $4.28 billion by 2066 if extended into future years.
Australia already subsidizes CGM for some people with type 1 diabetes. The CGM submission recommends expanding subsidies to make CGM more affordable for about 16,000 people with type 2 diabetes and other insulin-treated forms of diabetes in priority groups. These include healthcare card holders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those under 21, and women planning pregnancy through six months postpartum, plus subsidies for adults with rare insulin-requiring diabetes similar to type 1.
The CGM proposal requests $106.48 million over four years, with anticipated net benefits of $1.3 billion by 2066—roughly $2.69 returned for every dollar invested.
With around 2 million Australians living with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes, the sector believes evidence-based technology, delivered via the NDSS infrastructure, represents a prudent, forward-looking investment in better health outcomes for individuals, the health system, and the nation.
Industry voices supporting the proposals include:
- Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society: Diabetes drives health inequity; investing in technology will save money in the long run and improve outcomes for those most at risk.
- Australian Diabetes Society: Equitable, affordable access to diabetes-management technology is essential to care and advocacy; these budget submissions are the first step toward universal access.
- Australian Diabetes Educators Association: Expanding subsidies must go with workforce investment, including funded consultations with Credentialled Diabetes Educators, national training, and coordinated referral pathways to maximize outcomes.
- Breakthrough T1D Australia: AID systems are the standard of care for type 1 diabetes, enabling better management and long-term savings; CGM subsidies already helped, and similar access for insulin pumps is the next goal.
- ANZSPED: Targeted expansion of AID and CGM through NDSS will reduce risk for children and high-risk groups, aligning care with contemporary standards and lowering long-term costs.
- Diabetes WA, Diabetes SA, Diabetes Victoria, Healthy Living NT: Local organizations echo the call for affordable, accessible technology to empower people with diabetes and reduce system burden.
The National Diabetes Summit will take place at Parliament House on 31 March. It will bring together leaders from diabetes, health, research, policy, and advocacy to discuss the growing impact of diabetes in Australia and to accelerate practical policy changes that strengthen the health system.
About Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia is the national peak body supporting people living with or at risk of diabetes. We coordinate with people with lived experience, member organizations, peak bodies, health professionals, state groups, researchers, and the broader community to respond to Australia’s largest health challenge. Our work focuses on helping people live well, providing information and support, investing in prevention, and reducing diabetes’ impact on individuals, health systems, and society. We advocate for positive changes that promote a healthier future for everyone.
For information: Monica Rostron, Diabetes Australia – 0409 126 332
