You’re not expected to manage type 1 diabetes by yourself. There’s a lot of support available to help you. This includes health professionals in your diabetes team, NDSS programs, services and subsidised products, and by connecting with other people living with diabetes.
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Your team can be made up of health professionals, as well as your family and friends. But the most important member of your team is you. You’re the one making the decisions about your diabetes. And the more you know about diabetes, the easier it will be to manage it.
The National Diabetes Services Scheme, or NDSS, is an initiative of the Australian Government and administered by Diabetes Australia. The NDSS gives people living with diabetes access to information, support services, programs, and subsidised products to help people manage their life with diabetes.
Peer support brings people with type 1 diabetes together. You can share your experiences, as well as support and learn from each other.
Your diabetes team can help you feel less alone in managing your condition.
Many people can be part of your diabetes team to help you live well with diabetes.
You can also invite family members, friends or a carer to be part of your team. You may not need all the health professionals shown here.
Talk to your doctor about how to set up your diabetes team.
A diabetes educator is a health professional who can help you to manage your diabetes. A credentialled diabetes educator (CDE) is a health professional who specialises in diabetes education and care.
They can help you learn how to manage and monitor your health with diabetes. CDEs can provide advice on the effects of food and exercise, insulin and monitoring your blood glucose levels.
A podiatrist checks the health of your feet and provides advice on caring for your feet.
They provide advice and supports you with being physically active.
A dentist checks the health of your mouth including your teeth and gums.
They provide local and culturally appropriate information and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A diabetes nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who specialises in diabetes care and management.
They‘re qualified and authorised to practice in an advanced clinical role. This is different to a practice nurse working with a GP.
If you’ve been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, chances are you’ve already been registered with the NDSS. Registration gives you access to information, support services, programs, and subsidised products to help you manage your diabetes.
For more information go to the NDSS website ndss.com.au
Find out more about the services available to you from the NDSS.
Find an in-person or online peer support group for people living with type 1 diabetes in your state or territory.
Search our extensive publication of fact sheets, brochures, quick guides and other resources with information to support you managing your diabetes.
Become more confident in managing your diabetes with free online diabetes programs, and pre-recorded webinars, and e-learning modules available from anywhere at any time.
Join one of our free online diabetes programs to increase your diabetes self-management knowledge, skills and confidence.
Find out more about the subsidised diabetes products that will help you manage your diabetes.
Call the NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes health professional for information and advice, or to find out what services are available in your area. Need an interpreter? Call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) 131 450. State your language. Wait to be connected and ask for 1800 637 700.
Living with diabetes isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. As of March 2023, more than 1.5 million Australians living with diabetes are registered with the NDSS. The NDSS peer support website connects you with others who understand the daily challenges of living with diabetes.
Whether you are looking to join an online group or meet with peers in your local area, there are many forms of peer support to suit you, your lifestyle and diabetes type.
A good option for a social connection in your local area.
Connect and learn from peers regardless of where you live.
Hear from others about their journey with diabetes.
Get you subsidised products from around 5,700 community pharmacies across Australia.
Your state and territory diabetes organisations delivers programs and support services.
Through the NDSS, the Australian Government wants to make sure that people have access to timely, reliable and nationally consistent support services and subsidised diabetes products they need to manage their diabetes.
To find a community pharmacy in your area:
NDSS products have varying levels of subsidies. Some products have no co-contribution. For other products the co-contribution is determined by concession status.
To have the support you need with managing your health and diabetes, your diabetes management plan should meet where you’re at and help you take steps to reach your health goals.
Talk this through with your diabetes health professionals to ensure you have the support you need to achieve this.
You can also access Medicare rebates for services provided by allied health professionals.
Make an appointment with your GP and ask for a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and a Team Care Arrangement (TCA).
With these in place, your GP can write you a referral for up to 5 consultations with an allied health professional over a 12-month period. You will receive a Medicare rebate for these consultations, but there may be a co-payment (gap fee).
You can use the 5 consultations to see a diabetes educator, dietitian, exercise physiologist, podiatrist, physiotherapist or aboriginal health worker, or other allied health professionals.
You may wish to talk with a psychologist for extra emotional support. Psychologists can support people in making positive changes to their mood or wellbeing, and the way they think and feel about their diabetes.
With a GP or psychiatrist referral, you can receive a Medicare rebate when consulting a psychologist but there may be a co-payment.
To find out more, download, read or listen to our When and how a psychologist can support people with diabetes factsheet.
Insulin is subsidised by the Australian Government through the PBS.
Some types of health insurance products may provide a partial refund for consultations with allied health professionals such as diabetes educators, dietitians and podiatrists. Some may also support purchase of diabetes supplies such blood glucose meters and insulin pumps. Check with the health insurance funds for details of support provided with the different types of health insurance products.
