Monday’s decision by the Medical Services Advisory Council (MSAC) to endorse extending subsidised access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people living with Type 3C diabetes is a welcome step in the right direction.  

But the committee that advises government on funding health services and technologies has deferred decisions on extending subsidised access to CGMs for people living with insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes until next year.  

The delay means tens of thousands of Australians living with insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes will continue to wait for affordable access to technology that could vastly improve their care. This is despite a clear recommendation from the 2024 parliamentary inquiry into diabetes that subsidised CGM access be extended to people with Type 2 diabetes requiring regular insulin. 

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the decision would help the many Australians living with Type 3C and other type-1-like diabetes better manage their healthcare.  

“This decision should make access to CGMs much more affordable, and I strongly encourage the Australian Government to follow through on MSAC’s recommendation urgently,” Ms Cain said.  

“People living with Type 3C diabetes often have other significant health challenges and steps to help manage their complex health needs are welcome.”  

While the recommendation for Type 3C is welcomed, Diabetes Australia urges that consideration of access for people with insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes progresses as quickly as possible, recognising the significant need within this community.  

Ms Cain said the delay meant people in priority communities with significant need would continue to wait for affordable access to technologies that could help them to manage their condition.  

“Our 2026 Budget Submission called for the Australian Government to subsidise access to CGMs for people in priority need areas, such as people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people with high insulin needs, and a range of cultural communities at high risk,” she said.  

“While the delay isn’t the outcome we were hoping for, particularly given the nearly 8,000 submissions received through public consultation, we continue to encourage the government to provide access when that decision is made.  

“We will continue to engage with the Australian Government and work with the industry to push for access to technology that is based on needs and not on cost.” 

Diabetes Australia is encouraged that MSAC has noted the priority groups with type 2 diabetes using insulin that would receive the most benefit from CGM include:  

• People who need three or more daily insulin injections  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on any regimen of insulin  

• Pregnant people or those actively planning pregnancy  

• People with youth-onset type 2 diabetes (i.e., those who have been diagnosed with T2D before the age of 25 years) 

Wearable continuous glucose monitors are small sensors worn on the body to track glucose levels day and night, helping people make everyday decisions about managing their diabetes. 

The delayed funding requests cover two continuous glucose monitoring systems: FreeStyle Libre, made by Abbott Australasia, and Dexcom ONE+, submitted by Australasian Medical & Scientific Limited.