Diabetes WA has joined forces with diabetes organisations across the country to call on the Australian Government to subsidise vital diabetes technology.

For too many West Australians, access to diabetes technology still depends on what they can afford — not what they need.

Unite for Tech is a national campaign supported by Diabetes WA and the broader diabetes sector, calling for fairer access to modern diabetes technologies.

As the peak body for diabetes in Western Australia, we are working alongside diabetes organisations across Australia to advocate for expanded access to life-changing diabetes technologies — because West Australians deserve equitable access to the tools that support better health.

Through a joint Federal Budget submission, the diabetes sector is calling for:

• Expanded eligibility for subsidised Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) for people living with type 2 and other forms of diabetes

• Improved access to subsidised Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems for people living with type 1 diabetes

These proposals are grounded in strong clinical evidence and clear economic modelling. They demonstrate that targeted investment in diabetes technology delivers measurable health benefits while reducing long-term pressure on the health system.

National modelling shows:

• Expanding CGM access to 16,000 Australians with type 2 and other forms of diabetes would cost $106.48 million over four years and deliver an estimated $1.13 billion in long-term societal benefit

• Improving access to AID systems for 38,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes would cost $298.95 million, with projected net benefits of $4.28 billion over time

For people living with diabetes in Western Australia, this is about more than technology. It is about:

• Fewer diabetes-related complications

• Reduced hospital admissions

• Greater confidence in day-to-day management

• Improved quality of life

• Stronger long-term health outcomes

Alain Watson, a Diabetes WA community member who lives with type 1 diabetes, knows firsthand about the financial barriers getting in the way of West Australians accessing this life-changing technology. Alain says he is lucky enough to have private health insurance, but even then the costs can quickly stack up.

“With my insurer, full hospital cover gives you more options, but there are still significant out of pocket costs to consider. For the applicable hospital cover tier, I’d need to pay an extra $40 a week. On top of that, I’d be paying for the pump itself over four years, which is a bit like a phone contract, plus consumables.” 

Insulin pumps are covered by private health insurance cover, typically at gold or silver level, with a twelve-month waiting period if you already live with diabetes. Insulin pump consumables are subsidised by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) for type 1 diabetes, with out-of-pocket costs estimated to be $20-$30 per month for a person without a concession card. The NDSS will also subsidise the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) often linked to a pump for just under $35 a month.

By delivering insulin continuously for up to seven days, an insulin pump – or AID –  removes the need for multiple daily injections. Its algorithms also respond to fluctuations in blood glucose, using glucose predictions from the continuous glucose monitor to adjust the insulin delivered, aiming to prevent highs and lows and making daily life simpler. The end result can be better diabetes management and a reduced risk of complications and hospitalisations.

Alain believes subsidising this technology would greatly improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes.  

“We can’t produce insulin. It’s weird, but the injection is your pancreas, in a way. There’s no way around it, so it would be great if we had the option to use a pump and have the need for injections removed.”

Diabetes WA CEO Melanie Gates says the campaign is an opportunity to ensure West Australians living with diabetes are heard by the federal bodies responsible for funding decisions.

“We speak to people in Western Australia who are waking through the night to check glucose levels and making hundreds of taxing decisions everyday just to stay well,” Melanie says.

“Health professionals are clear — we know this technology can ease that relentless mental load and make a real difference to quality of life and health outcomes for West Australians. But too many families simply can’t afford it.

“As WA’s peak body, Diabetes WA ensures these voices inform policy conversations. We are by their side — particularly when change is needed.”

Find out more about Unite For Tech

Find out more about Diabetes WA Advocacy