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What Australians Living with Diabetes Told Us About Monitoring Their Glucose

Posted on April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 by Covert Dev

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.

The Everyday Burden of Living with Diabetes in Australia

Posted on September 17, 2025February 6, 2026 by Covert Dev

Air Liquide Healthcare Australia 2025 Diabetes Insights Report

Foreword by Tony Kelly, Vice President – APAC Home Healthcare & Managing Director, Air Liquide Healthcare Australia

“At Air Liquide Healthcare Australia, we are driven by a single purpose: to improve the lives of those living with chronic conditions. Diabetes, as Australia’s most rapidly growing chronic condition, demands not just clinical solutions, but real empathy, innovation, and support that reflects the lived experiences of everyday Australians.”

Diabetes continues to grow at an alarming rate. According to Diabetes Australia, Around 1.5 million Australians live with the condition, with an estimated 500,000 more undiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. More than 300 people are diagnosed every day, and the annual cost of diabetes to the country is a staggering $17.6 billion.

The disease is now the seventh most common cause of death by disease in Australia, according to data collected by the Australian Government. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the risk is far greater. They are three-times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, 4.3-times more likely to be hospitalised for it, and four-times more likely to die from it.

“The launch of our new Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), Sibionics GS3, is part of our commitment to make life easier for people living with diabetes.

“Our goal is to make diabetes easier to manage, reducing its impact not only on individuals, but also on families, communities, and our healthcare system. To do this effectively, we needed to listen.”

The Air Liquide Healthcare Australia 2025 Diabetes Insights Report shares insights from 1,004 Australian adults living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It reveals the mental, social, and financial toll of the chronic condition and where Australians need better tools, information and support. Insights like these are critical to shaping more empathetic, effective solutions and ensuring that innovation in diabetes care truly reflects the voices and needs of the people it serves.

¹Source: Diabetes Australia

1. The Mental Burden of Diabetes in Australia

Managing diabetes is not just physical, it can be a relentless mental task. Australians living with diabetes are estimated to make around 180 health-related decisions each day, from monitoring glucose levels to calculating carbohydrates and planning meals.

This constant vigilance takes a toll and it seems that our youngest Australians are feeling it the most. Almost one in three respondents (30.3%) cited the mental and emotional burden as one of their greatest frustrations living with diabetes, with women (34.6%) more so than men (26.1%). Many feel isolated in their experience (22.8%), while the vast majority (82.3%) believe the public underestimates how difficult it is to live with diabetes.

Almost two in three (65.6%) admitted to frequently or occasionally downplaying their struggles to friends, family, or colleagues, with younger Australians more likely than older. Some respondents expressed frustration at common misconceptions – such as the belief that all diabetes is Type 2 or caused by poor lifestyle choices – while others are impacted by fatigue and depression. Together, these insights highlight the significant emotional burden and persistent stigma that often come with living with diabetes.

Have you ever downplayed your struggles with diabetes to family, friends, or colleagues?

²Source: Stanford Medicine

2. Food, Nutrition, and the Social Impact

Making healthy food choices, particularly outside of the home, presents a challenge for many Australians living with diabetes, potentially resulting in social isolation.

Three-quarters of respondents (74.9%) said they find it somewhat or very difficult to make healthy choices when dining out or ordering takeout. Unsurprisingly, it seems to be younger generations who are finding it the most challenging, with 93.6% of 25-34 year-olds, followed closely by 92.6% of 18-24 year-olds, who struggle with making healthy choices while dining out, compared to just 46.6% of those aged 65+.

How difficult do you find it to make healthy food choices when eating out at restaurants or ordering takeout?

Age group	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-65	65+
Somewhat or very difficult	92.6%	93.6%	89.8%	82.2%	68.6%	46.6%
Not difficult	7.4%	6.4%	10.2%	17.8%	31.4%	53.4%

Compounding this issue, 72.9% felt that restaurants do not provide enough information (like carb counts, sugar content or glycemic index) to help them make informed decisions.

When asked about their biggest frustrations of living with diabetes, almost half (45.6%) cited limited suitable food options when eating out or travelling.

This lack of transparency and support directly impacts social participation. More than half of respondents (53.4%) said they have sometimes or often avoided dining out or attending social events because of the difficulties involved in managing their diabetes.

Have you ever avoided social events or dining out due to the difficulty of managing your diabetes?

Even foods marketed as “healthy” are met with skepticism. The majority of respondents (83.2%) said such products are often or sometimes unsuitable for managing diabetes, while a further one in 10 believe they are always unsuitable.

Other food frustrations experienced by people living with diabetes include unclear food labels, feeling restricted on what they can eat, while 41.4% said they face confusing or conflicting nutrition advice, and one in three (33.5%) found the time and effort needed to track food, glucose, and medications frustrating.

A further 26.6% felt there is a lack of culturally inclusive meal plans available, easy to understand nutrition guides (46%) and affordable diabetes-friendly foods (61.3%), while some found a lack of gluten-free and allergy restricted food and recipe options for people living with diabetes.

3. Financial Strain and Inequity

Living with diabetes comes with a significant financial burden. While 35.3% of respondents said they spend less than $500 per year on diabetes management, a substantial proportion (59.1%) said they spend up to $1,000, and over one in five (21.4%) said they spend more than $2,000 annually.

Roughly how much do you spend out-of-pocket annually managing your diabetes (medications, supplies, devices, medical appointments, etc.)?

The biggest spenders by age group were 35-44 year-olds, with 40.9% who said they spend over $2,000 per year, followed by 25-34 year-olds (37.6%) and 18-24 years (35.2%). Conversely, only 7.7% of 55-64 year olds said they spend over $2,000 per year and just 4.0% of 65+.

This financial strain is potentially affecting basic living standards of many people living with diabetes. More than half (56%) said that they have had to cut back on essentials like groceries, utilities, or other living costs to afford their treatment. More women (61.3%) than men (50.9%) said they have had to cut back, while the younger age groups have cut back more than the older generations.

Unsurprisingly, 57.3% believe there is not enough financial support for people living with diabetes, while the number one frustration for people living with diabetes was the ongoing costs (including medications, supplies and/or healthy food) (51.5%).

4. Technology and the Promise of CGMs

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) as a management tool, represents a breakthrough in diabetes management, offering real-time glucose tracking and for some patients it can reduce the reliance on painful and inconvenient finger-prick testing. However, awareness and adoption remain varied. While 25.4% of people said they have used CGMs, 58.4% are aware of them but have not used one, and 16.2% have never heard of them.

Have you heard of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), which are wearable devices that continuously track glucose levels in real time?

Cost appears to be a barrier. Almost a quarter of respondents (22.5%) said they would not be willing to spend money on a CGM, and just over half (50.3%) would only consider using one if it cost them less than $500 per year.

Many respondents specifically expressed frustration that CGMs are not subsidised for people living with Type 2 diabetes, despite their potential to reduce the burden of daily management.

Many Australians living with diabetes could benefit from CGMs, with nearly one in three respondents (29.3%) highlighting a lack of real-time support through apps or technology.

Two in five (39.9%) cited unpredictable or hard to control blood sugar swings as one of their biggest frustrations, while 28.1% pointed to the pain, inconvenience, or general frustration of finger prick testing as a major challenge.

5. Access to Support and Resources

The healthcare system is not always equipped to meet the needs of people with diabetes. 38.6% of respondents said they never visit a Credentialed Diabetes Educator, with men (43.1%) more likely than women (34.0%) to never visit one.

How many times per year would you visit a Credentialed Diabetes Educator?

Almost one in three (31.2%) reported a lack of access to dietitians as a significant barrier. When asked what resources were missing from current diabetes support, respondents pointed to not enough support from healthcare providers, specific advice, and more support and education around maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as gym routines and weight loss.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

This national survey indicates that Australians living with diabetes need better support, clearer information, and greater access to technology and care.

When asked what would make managing food and nutrition significantly easier, respondents pointed to practical, everyday changes, like clearer food labels with carb counts and glycemic index (54.5%), lower costs for healthy supermarket options (55.5%), and access to affordable, diabetes-friendly meals (53.5%). Many also called for more public awareness to reduce judgment around food choices (21.3%), and improved restaurant transparency and menu options (45.5%).

Beyond food, nearly two in five (37%) said an easy-to-use app to track glucose levels would make a real difference, while others highlighted the need for subsidised CGMs, access to bulk-billed specialists, and workplace flexibility to manage medications. These responses paint a powerful picture: living well with diabetes requires more than clinical care, it demands a more supportive, informed, and accessible environment in all aspects of daily life.

What would make managing food and nutrition with diabetes significantly easier for you?

Solution	Percentage
Clearer, diabetes-specific nutrition guidelines	45.8%
Access to affordable, diabetes-friendly meal plans or prepared meals	53.5%
Food labels that include carb counts, glycemic index, and sugar content	54.5%
Restaurants offering nutrition info and diabetic-friendly menu options	45.5%
An easy-to-use app that helps track my glucose levels	37.0%
More access to dietitians or nutritionists who understand diabetes	24.5%
Lower costs for healthy foods at supermarkets	55.5%
More public awareness so I don’t feel judged for my food choices	21.3%
None of these would help	4.3%
Other	3.7%

At Air Liquide Healthcare Australia, our mission is to reduce the burden of chronic disease. Through products like CGMs – and through listening and responding to what people living with diabetes truly need – we are working to make diabetes easier.

But this challenge cannot be met by innovation alone. It requires greater public awareness, smarter policy, and a more inclusive, responsive healthcare system. Together, we can ensure that managing diabetes doesn’t have to mean managing alone.

Methodology

Air Liquide Healthcare Australia commissioned a survey, conducted by global research provider Pureprofile, of 1,004 Australian adults who have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The survey was conducted in August 2025 and published in November 2025. Study participants were comprised as follows:

State: 31.77% NSW, 18.92% QLD, 26.49% VIC, 7.67% SA, 10.7% WA, 4.48% ACT/TAS/NT.

Gender: 51.1% male and 48.9% female

Age: 5.38% 18-24, 15.64% 25-34, 18.53% 35-44, 19.02% 45-54, 16.83% 55-64, 24.6% 65+,

About Air Liquide Healthcare

Air Liquide Healthcare Australia is a leading provider of homecare services, medical gases, and equipment, supporting tens of thousands of oxygen and sleep apnea patients nationwide. In 2025, it expanded into diabetes care with the launch of the Sibionics GS3 continuous glucose monitor. The CGM reflects the company’s commitment to making chronic condition management easier. Air Liquide Healthcare also provides the services of Credentialed Diabetes Educators.

About Tony Kelly

Tony Kelly is Vice President of Home Healthcare for APAC and Managing Director at Air Liquide Healthcare Australia. With a chemistry background, Tony began his career as a chemist at the Queensland Government before joining Air Liquide Healthcare Australia in 2007, where he has held several senior leadership roles.

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