Currently, only 5.4% (76,000 people) are diagnosed and registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). This means around another 100,000 people are living with undiagnosed and untreated diabetes, while their disease is progressing.  

Diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, kidney problems, blindness, poor mental health, and amputations, pose significant health challenges. Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity, coupled with regular blood glucose self-monitoring, early diagnosis, and medical management are the key to avoiding disease progression and secondary complications. 

Accessing the best available care for people with diabetes can be challenging. Due to the complex nature of diabetes treatment, many patients require a broad multi-disciplinary team to minimise the potential development of long-term morbidity. 

The total annual cost impact of diabetes in Australia is estimated at $17.6 billion (inflation-adjusted) (Source) 

Diabetes and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 

Diabetes disproportionately impacts First Nations people and those living in low socio-economic status communities have higher rates of diabetes. First Nations communities are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-First Nations Australians, 4.3 times more likely to be hospitalised with type 2 diabetes, and four times as likely to die from it.