Air Liquide Healthcare Australia – Diabetes Community Survey Results
Earlier this year, Air Liquide Healthcare Australia invited Australians living with diabetes to share their experiences with glucose monitoring. The goal was simple: to better understand the real-world challenges people face when managing their condition day to day.
Respondents shared insights into how they monitor their glucose levels, the barriers they face, their experience with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), and what features matter most to them in a monitoring device. The results paint a clear picture: while awareness of CGM technology is growing, significant barriers remain, and many Australians are not fully satisfied with their current approach to glucose monitoring.
1. Who Responded?
The survey attracted responses from Australians living with a range of diabetes types, with the majority (75%) living with Type 2 diabetes, followed by those with Type 1 diabetes (21%), and a smaller group who did not disclose. Respondents came from every state and territory across Australia, providing a broad and representative snapshot of the diabetes community.
Respondent Breakdown by Diabetes Type
This distribution reflects the broader diabetes landscape in Australia, where Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of diagnoses. Importantly, the perspectives of people living with Type 1 diabetes and other forms were also well represented, ensuring the findings capture a diversity of experiences.
2. CGM Access and Awareness
One of the most striking findings was the split in CGM access. Roughly half of respondents reported having used a Continuous Glucose Monitor, while the other half had never used one. This near-even divide highlights a significant gap in access to what is increasingly regarded as an essential tool for diabetes management.
Among those who had used a CGM, many described the technology as transformative, offering real-time insights into their glucose levels that traditional finger-prick testing simply cannot match. For those who had never tried a CGM, the reasons varied, but the data suggests that awareness alone is not the issue. The barriers lie elsewhere.
Have you used a Continuous Glucose Monitor before?
3. The Biggest Barriers to Glucose Monitoring
When asked about their biggest challenges with glucose monitoring, respondents pointed to several recurring themes. The most frequently cited barriers provide a clear picture of the daily frustrations experienced by people living with diabetes.
Remembering to test regularly was a common challenge, with many respondents describing the mental load of staying on top of their monitoring schedule as exhausting. Pain and discomfort from finger-prick testing also featured prominently, particularly among those who test multiple times a day. The inconvenience of carrying supplies and equipment was another frequently mentioned barrier, with respondents noting that it can make travel, social outings, and even daily routines more difficult.
Concerns about the accuracy of readings and understanding what the results mean were also highlighted by a notable proportion of respondents. Together, these barriers help explain why so many people remain dissatisfied with their current monitoring methods and why the appeal of less invasive, more automated solutions like CGMs continues to grow.
What is your biggest challenge with glucose monitoring?
4. Satisfaction with Current Monitoring
Perhaps the most telling finding was the level of satisfaction, or lack thereof, with current glucose monitoring methods. The majority of respondents reported feeling neutral or dissatisfied with how they currently monitor their glucose levels, while a smaller proportion said they were satisfied or very satisfied.
This dissatisfaction is not surprising given the barriers outlined above. When testing is painful, inconvenient, and difficult to maintain consistently, it is understandable that many people feel their current approach is falling short. The data suggests a clear appetite for better, more user-friendly solutions that reduce the burden of daily monitoring.
How satisfied are you with your current glucose monitoring method?
5. What Features Matter Most
Respondents were also asked which features they consider most important in a glucose monitoring device. The answers reveal a strong desire for technology that makes monitoring easier, more accurate, and better integrated into daily life.
Accuracy of readings was the most commonly cited priority, reflecting a need for confidence that the data guiding daily health decisions is reliable. Ease of use and comfort ranked highly as well, with respondents making it clear that a device needs to fit seamlessly into their routine without causing pain or inconvenience.
The ability to share data with healthcare providers was another key feature, pointing to a growing expectation that monitoring should be a collaborative process between patients and their care teams. Smartphone connectivity and real-time alerts also featured prominently, highlighting the role of digital health tools in modern diabetes management.
6. The Unmet Need in Type 2 Diabetes
With three-quarters of respondents living with Type 2 diabetes, the survey provides particularly strong insight into the challenges facing this group. While CGM technology has historically been more associated with Type 1 diabetes management, the data clearly shows a strong and growing demand among people with Type 2 diabetes for better monitoring tools.
Many respondents with Type 2 diabetes described feeling underserved when it comes to access to modern monitoring technology. They expressed a desire for tools that help them better understand their glucose patterns, make more informed lifestyle choices, and feel more in control of their condition. This unmet need represents a significant opportunity to improve outcomes for the largest segment of the diabetes community.
Conclusion: Listening to Drive Better Outcomes
The results of this survey reinforce what many Australians living with diabetes already know: managing glucose levels is a daily challenge, and current approaches often fall short of expectations. The barriers are real, from the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional testing methods to the difficulty of maintaining consistent monitoring routines.
At the same time, the findings point to a clear path forward. There is strong demand for monitoring solutions that are easier to use, more comfortable, and better integrated with digital health tools. CGM technology offers the potential to address many of these needs, yet nearly half of respondents have never had access to one.
At Air Liquide Healthcare Australia, we are committed to listening to the people we serve and using their insights to shape better solutions. These survey results will directly inform our approach to diabetes care, helping us ensure that the tools and support we provide truly reflect the needs of everyday Australians living with diabetes.
Methodology
Air Liquide Healthcare Australia conducted a national survey of Australian adults living with diabetes. Respondents were invited to participate through a competition entry, with the chance to win a year’s supply of meal delivery kits. The survey focused on glucose monitoring practices, barriers to effective management, CGM access and usage, satisfaction with current methods, and desired features in monitoring technology. Responses were received from across all Australian states and territories.
Sibionics GS3 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
The Sibionics GS3 is a next-generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system designed for real-time, needle-free glucose tracking. Featuring an ultra thin CGM sensor at just 2.9mm, this discreet device offers accurate data for up to 14 days with Bluetooth-enabled transmission and customisable high/low alerts.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
For the continuous monitoring of interstitial fluid glucose levels in patients 3 years and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Do a blood glucose test with a fingerstick and your blood glucose meter if you think your glucose readings are not correct or do not match how you feel. Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high glucose. Seek medical attention when appropriate.