What Are Diabetes Management Supports?
Diabetes is a long-term health condition where your body cannot maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Some people can manage diabetes through diet and exercise, while others may need insulin, medication, or ongoing monitoring.
The NDIS may provide diabetes management supports if they are related to your disability and help you with day-to-day living. These supports could include:
Training for your support workers to follow your Diabetes Care Plan
A support worker to assist with checking blood sugar levels or preparing balanced meals
A nurse to provide direct diabetes care, if there is evidence that you need one
📖 Learn more: NDIS Disability-Related Health Supports
Mainstream and Community Supports for Diabetes
The Australian health system provides services for all people living with diabetes, not just NDIS participants. These are known as mainstream and community supports, and the NDIS is designed to work alongside — not replace — these services.
Some key services include:
Medicare – Covers diabetes assessments, chronic disease management plans, and services from GPs and diabetes nurses.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) – Provides affordable access to insulin and diabetes medicines.
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) – Offers education, equipment, and training for managing diabetes.
Breakthrough T1D – Provides insulin pumps for eligible low-income families with children under 18 living with Type 1 Diabetes.
🔗 Learn more:
What the NDIS Can Fund
The NDIS can fund diabetes management supports if they:
Are directly related to your disability
Meet the reasonable and necessary criteria
Cannot be funded by the health system
Examples of supports the NDIS may fund include:
A nurse to create a disability-related diabetes management plan
Training for support workers in your diabetes management needs
A support worker to monitor blood glucose levels, administer injections, or provide medications
A nurse for complex care, such as unstable diabetes that requires constant monitoring
Assistive technology (like glucose monitoring devices or insulin pumps) if not available through other health schemes
📌 You’ll need evidence from your doctor, endocrinologist, or diabetes nurse to show why these supports are required.
Delegated Care and Training for Support Workers
In many cases, a registered nurse can train and delegate tasks to a support worker. This means a trained support worker may be able to administer insulin or test blood sugar levels, provided they have been properly trained and supervised.
The NDIS may also fund:
Yearly refresher training for support workers
Training tailored to your specific Diabetes Care Plan
Nurse-supervised delegation if family or informal supports cannot provide the care
Assistive Technology for Diabetes
The NDIS may also provide funding for assistive technology that supports independence. Examples include:
Continuous glucose monitoring devices
Insulin pumps (if not available through NDSS or other schemes)
Technology that reduces reliance on nursing or support worker care
Funding will only be approved if evidence shows the technology will:
Reduce your need for other supports
Increase your independence
Meet NDIS funding criteria
Children and Diabetes Supports
Children with diabetes often rely on parents, carers, schools, and health professionals for daily management. However, the NDIS may fund additional supports if a child’s needs are significantly greater due to disability.
Supports for children may include:
Dietary and meal support
Equipment for blood glucose monitoring
Education or training for support workers or teachers
📖 Learn more: Breakthrough T1D Child Supports
How to Get Diabetes Management Supports in Your Plan
Speak with your doctor or diabetes nurse to prepare a Diabetes Care Plan.
Gather supporting evidence, such as medical reports or an endocrinologist’s recommendation.
Work with your support coordinator or NDIS contact to submit your request.
Provide evidence that the supports are reasonable, necessary, and disability-related.
If approved, these supports will be included in your NDIS plan. If your situation changes, you can request a plan review.
If Your Request Is Declined
If the NDIS decides not to fund your diabetes supports, you will:
Receive a written explanation
Have the right to request an internal review within 3 months
📖 Learn more: NDIS Review of Decisions
Final Thoughts
Diabetes management supports through the NDIS can help you stay healthier, reduce risks, and build independence. With the right planning and evidence, you can access supports that make daily management easier and safer.
At Complete Money Management, we help participants maximise their NDIS funding, prepare strong applications, and manage their budgets for essential health supports.