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27 March 2025—The 2025–26 federal budget delivers meaningful investment in primary care and workforce development, but it falls short of addressing the urgent and growing need for structured diabetes education and workforce support, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) says.
The government has committed:
These measures are expected to improve affordability and access across the healthcare system and may offer indirect benefits for people living with diabetes, but they do not go far enough to counter the increasing incidence of diabetes in Australia.
With almost 2 million people in Australia living with diabetes, the budget misses a key opportunity to make targeted investments, particularly greater access to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and multidisciplinary care teams, that would directly support those living with diabetes.
ADEA and its unified partners, the Australian Diabetes Society and Diabetes Australia, have called for numerous targeted initiatives that were not included in the latest budget.
These initiatives include MBS-funded CDE support to help people manage diabetes technology, additional funding for five subsidised CDE visits for those at risk of diabetes-related complications, and additional funding for CDE visits during and after pregnancy for women with gestational diabetes.
These are investments that would reduce the overall economic impact of diabetes on the health system, as well as support people to manage their diabetes and reduce their risk of complications.
The budget also includes no funding to implement the recommendations of The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia in 2024 or the National Allied Health Workforce Strategy, both of which ADEA responded to and provided extensive input into.
“While these budget measures have the potential to benefit the broader healthcare landscape, we emphasise the need for targeted investment in diabetes education and the multidisciplinary diabetes care team,” ADEA CEO Susan Davidson said.
“With rising rates of diabetes and growing pressure on the health system, investing in the diabetes workforce is more important than ever.
“This is a missed opportunity to support vital roles, such as CDEs and other allied health professionals—all of whom are critical to reducing the long-term impact of diabetes and other chronic conditions.
“This government has publicly supported the need for multidisciplinary care teams but has not delivered the funding they need to provide optimal care.”
While the women’s health package is welcome, it does not address gestational diabetes—a key risk factor for future type 2 diabetes in both parent and child.
“Investment in healthcare access and equity is something we are very supportive of.
“But without direct investment in the diabetes education workforce, these gains risk falling short for people living with diabetes, particularly those who require ongoing, tailored care and education,” Ms Davidson said.
She said ADEA and its unified partners remain committed to advocating for the investment needed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes.
27 March 2025—The 2025–26 federal budget delivers meaningful investment in primary care and workforce development, but it falls short of addressing the urgent and growing need for structured diabetes education and workforce support, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) says.
The government has committed:
These measures are expected to improve affordability and access across the healthcare system and may offer indirect benefits for people living with diabetes, but they do not go far enough to counter the increasing incidence of diabetes in Australia.
With almost 2 million people in Australia living with diabetes, the budget misses a key opportunity to make targeted investments, particularly greater access to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and multidisciplinary care teams, that would directly support those living with diabetes.
ADEA and its unified partners, the Australian Diabetes Society and Diabetes Australia, have called for numerous targeted initiatives that were not included in the latest budget.
These initiatives include MBS-funded CDE support to help people manage diabetes technology, additional funding for five subsidised CDE visits for those at risk of diabetes-related complications, and additional funding for CDE visits during and after pregnancy for women with gestational diabetes.
These are investments that would reduce the overall economic impact of diabetes on the health system, as well as support people to manage their diabetes and reduce their risk of complications.
The budget also includes no funding to implement the recommendations of The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia in 2024 or the National Allied Health Workforce Strategy, both of which ADEA responded to and provided extensive input into.
“While these budget measures have the potential to benefit the broader healthcare landscape, we emphasise the need for targeted investment in diabetes education and the multidisciplinary diabetes care team,” ADEA CEO Susan Davidson said.
“With rising rates of diabetes and growing pressure on the health system, investing in the diabetes workforce is more important than ever.
“This is a missed opportunity to support vital roles, such as CDEs and other allied health professionals—all of whom are critical to reducing the long-term impact of diabetes and other chronic conditions.
“This government has publicly supported the need for multidisciplinary care teams but has not delivered the funding they need to provide optimal care.”
While the women’s health package is welcome, it does not address gestational diabetes—a key risk factor for future type 2 diabetes in both parent and child.
“Investment in healthcare access and equity is something we are very supportive of.
“But without direct investment in the diabetes education workforce, these gains risk falling short for people living with diabetes, particularly those who require ongoing, tailored care and education,” Ms Davidson said.
She said ADEA and its unified partners remain committed to advocating for the investment needed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes.
