The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Albanese Government is delivering on our election commitment to give all 130,000 Australians with Type 1 diabetes access to subsidised CGM products under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Every Australian with Type 1 diabetes will now get access to a potentially life-saving continuous glucose monitoring device.
This is a $273.1 million investment over four years to support people living with Type 1 diabetes, which includes expanded access to the Insulin Pump Program.
Australians over the age of 21 with Type 1 diabetes will be able to access CGM products through their pharmacy, with a co-payment equivalent to $32.50 per month or $390 per year. These life saving devices were previously costing them up to $5,000 per year.
People who are currently eligible for CGM products through the NDSS, including children and young adults under 21 with Type 1 diabetes, concession card holders with Type 1 diabetes, and people with Type 1 diabetes who are pregnant, post-pregnancy or trying to become pregnant, will continue to receive products free of charge.
The Government is also delivering on its commitment to expand the eligibility criteria for the separate Insulin Pump Program. Providing an additional 35 fully subsidised insulin pumps per year to allow young adults aged 18 to 21 with Type 1 diabetes from financially disadvantaged families to benefit from this life-changing technology. This program was previously limited to children up to the age of 18.
Labor has a proud record of supporting Australians living with diabetes, extending back to Kevin Rudd’s establishment of the Insulin Pump Program in 2008.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is delivering our election commitment to support all Australians living with Type 1 diabetes to get access to subsidised CGM products.”
“We are supporting tens of thousands of adults who would otherwise miss out and providing certainty for young people who currently have access.
“I want to acknowledge the work of thousands of Australians living with Type 1 diabetes and their families who campaigned for this change, along with JDRF and Diabetes Australia.”
