National Diabetes Week Australia

Diabetes Doesn’t Discriminate! 

So why should access to live-saving devices be accessible to those who can afford it!


Diabetes week was launched in 2015 at Lightwell Federation Square in Melbourne, in a collective effort to raise awareness of the prevalence of the Diabetes in the Australian Community. 


This year Diabetes Australia aims to shine a light on the impact of Diabetes and Technology and increase access for all people to access the latest lifesaving technology. Just as Diabetes doesn’t discriminate – access to the advancements in treatments should be accessible to all! 

What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes is a disease where you blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are too high. Our bodies create Glucose, as well as receive Glucose from the food we eat. Diabetes occurs when our Pancreas struggles with the creation of Insulin that helps glucose get absorbed by our cells- creating either too much or too little insulin. 


Types of Diabetes: 

  • Type 1 Diabetes: This occurs when the pancreas creates little or no insulin. It is more common in from young adolescence, and it is often referred to as Juvenile Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is more linked to genetics. It is considered an Autoimmune disease. 

 

  • Type 2 Diabetes: This affects how our bodies use sugar (glucose) for energy, which lead to high levels of sugar. Your body starts making less insulin than is needed and leads to insulin resistance. Whilst this can be affected by genetics, Type-2 Diabetes is related to diet and obesity. 

 

  • Gestational Diabetes: This occurs in pregnant women due to hormone changes and raises the levels of blood sugar. Whilst it can be managed through diet and exercise, some mothers require insulin assistance. Gestational diabetes can have significant effects on both mom and baby, leading to problems such as preeclampsia ( a sudden dangerous spike in blood pressure), pre-term labour and pregnancy loss during the last 4-8 weeks. 


What is the prevalence of Diabetes? 

  • There are approximately 1.5 million Australians living with diabetes. 
  • If Diabetes continues to rise at the current rate, it is estimated that there will be 3 million
  • Australians over the age of 25. 
  • Type 2 Diabetes is the main cause for the rise of Diabetes in Australia due to Obesity,
  • physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. 


Did you know there is no cure for Diabetes, but Type -2 Diabetes can be reversed through careful control and management of blood sugars through a routine of healthy exercise and diet. It may never completely disappear, but you can get to the point where you no longer have to take medications to control your sugar through a healthy lifestyle. 

 

This year Diabetes Australia is advocating for affordable access to life saving CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) Devices and Insulin Pumps. These devices greatly improve the quality of life for patients, particularly those living with Type-1 Diabetes. 


How do CGM Devices and Insulin Pumps work: 


A CGM device is a glucose monitor that is inserted just below your skin. It is a sensor that monitors your blood glucose 24 hours a day, meaning less finger pricks and crises as many factors can change your blood sugar levels, which suffers may not be aware of. 24-hour real-time monitoring send information to your phone that sets off an alarm, helping patients be aware that there is a glucose level problem and act immediately. It also provides data on the trends that affect your glucose levels, helping you to identify triggering situations. 


An Insulin Pump is a small wearable device that delivers insulin into the bloodstream at specific times and are an alternative to having to multiple daily injections. These can greatly affect the quality of life for people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as it measures your meal intake and variants and provides accurate doses of insulin that your body needs. 


A CGM device can be paired with an Insulin Pump, providing peace of mind and better management. 


Why is advocacy for access so important: 

In 2022, the Australian Government subsidised CGM devices for all people living with Type-1 Diabetes. This was a huge step forward and has improved thousands of lives, however due to the high cost of these devices, many Australians are still unable to access these devices, leading to difficulties for hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis and has massive consequence for the health of Diabetes sufferers and the health care system. 

 

What you can do: 


Sign and share this petition for equitable access to aid for people with T1 diabetes. This is a call to action on the Australian Government to change the way universal insulin aids are funded, providing vital care accessible to ALL Australians. 

 

Share your Story on Diabetes Australia and join thousands of people with real life stories on how insulin pumps will make an incredible difference in their lives. We need to know the very real challenges faced by individuals with Diabetes and your story helps aid a continuous dialogue for advocacy and care. 


If you or a family member or friend are suffering with Diabetes, join in these various events that provide community involvement, helpful resources and support to all Diabetes sufferers.

You don’t have to do it alone. 

 

Share this post – Diabetes can occur at any stage from Childhood to the Elderly! 

Raising Awareness can bring life saving treatment to any member of your family or friends –

 including YOU! 

More Than a House: How Supported Independent Living Creates a Place to Thrive

July 28, 2026
For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections.  Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.

NDIS Reform : What Support Workers Need to Know

June 29, 2026
Change Is Coming — But What Does It Really Mean? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to evolve, and 2026 marks another important stage in its reform journey. With discussions around funding, eligibility, provider regulation, and service quality making headlines, it's understandable that many support workers are wondering how these changes will affect their day-to-day roles. The good news? While reforms may influence how services are delivered and managed, the heart of disability support remains the same: providing high-quality, person-centred care. Here's a closer look at the key changes and what they could mean for you. One of the major areas of reform is ensuring that NDIS funding is directed to participants who meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and receive supports that are considered "reasonable and necessary." The aim is to create greater consistency in decision-making while ensuring participants receive the supports they genuinely need. For support workers, this may result in more structured support plans, clearer participant goals, and a greater emphasis on documenting how supports help individuals achieve their outcomes. Planning That Prioritises Outcomes The NDIS is moving towards planning models that place greater importance on participant outcomes rather than simply allocating hours of support. Future plans are expected to become more streamlined, with clearer budgets and stronger links between supports and participant goals. As a support worker, this means your role extends beyond delivering care. Your observations, communication, and progress notes will become increasingly valuable in demonstrating how your support contributes to a participant's independence and quality of life. Stronger Standards for Providers The government is also strengthening provider regulation to improve safety, quality, and consistency across the disability sector. These changes include increased compliance requirements, enhanced safeguarding measures, and ongoing improvements to provider registration processes. For workers, this may mean more comprehensive onboarding, regular training, updated policies, and greater accountability in everyday practice. While this can feel like additional administration, the overall goal is to improve outcomes for participants and raise standards across the industry. Increased Accountability Across the Sector Another focus of the reforms is ensuring that NDIS funding is used appropriately and transparently. Providers are expected to maintain accurate records, demonstrate value for money, and clearly show how supports align with participant goals. As a result, support workers may notice a greater emphasis on completing shift notes, documenting progress, and maintaining high standards of communication with participants, families, and care teams. These records are no longer simply administrative tasks—they help demonstrate the quality and impact of the support being delivered. Despite the reforms, one thing remains constant: Australia continues to need compassionate, skilled, and dedicated disability support workers. As demand for disability services continues to grow, organisations are looking for professionals who communicate well, adapt to change, and genuinely care about improving the lives of others. Technology, policies, and funding models may evolve, but empathy, professionalism, and quality care will always remain at the centre of disability support. Looking Ahead The NDIS reforms are designed to strengthen the scheme, improve participant outcomes, and build greater confidence across the sector. For support workers, staying informed, embracing ongoing learning, and maintaining high standards of care will ensure you're well positioned for the future. While change can seem daunting, it also presents an opportunity to continue growing as a professional and delivering an even greater impact for the people who rely on your support every day. Further Reading For the latest information on NDIS reforms, visit: NDIS Review Final Report: https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/resources/final-report National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): https://www.ndis.gov.au NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters More Than Ever

By Health Staff Australia • June 1, 2026
World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.