New CGM device subsidised for type 1 diabetes as push for access expands to type 2 diabetes

From 1 March 2025, people living with type 1 diabetes have subsidised access to the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).

Endocrinologist Dr Matthew Hare from Royal Darwin Hospital, said “I’ve been trialling it for a few days. Very easy set up and hardly notice it’s there. No issues so far in the hot, humid weather or swimming.”

The announcement comes as diabetes organisations ramp up calls for greater investment in diabetes medical technologies. In its pre-budget submission, the Australian Diabetes Alliance* – a collective of major diabetes organisations – urged the Federal Government to commit to funding the recommendations outlined in the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes.

The inquiry’s report, The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia, presents 23 recommendations aimed at addressing Australia’s growing diabetes epidemic. These include expanding access to diabetes technologies, coordinating national diabetes research, strengthening the diabetes workforce, and investing in prevention.

Diabetes Australia reinforced these priorities in its budget submission, advocating for a staged expansion of subsidies, including insulin pumps for people with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring devices for those with type 2 diabetes.

Meanwhile, Australasian Medical & Scientific Limited (AMSL) has resubmitted its application to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for the Dexcom ONE real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), seeking funding for people with type 2 diabetes. Currently, Dexcom RT-CGMs are subsidised only for those with type 1 diabetes through the NDSS.

RT-CGM provides people using insulin for type 2 diabetes with real-time, actionable data, helping them optimise glucose management. Research shows that access to this technology reduces HbA1c levels, increases time in range (TIR), and decreases the frequency of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic events.

Lower HbA1c levels are associated with reduced risk and progression of microvascular complications – such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy – as well as macrovascular complications, including cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease.

Beyond clinical benefits, RT-CGM also improves quality of life for patients by reducing reliance on finger-prick testing, making diabetes management more seamless and less invasive.

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*Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, JDRF Australia, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.