Type 1 Travel and T1D Prescriptions : Australia

[jaketcsavage]

Hi!

I am looking into going to Australia on a working holiday visa and am trying to find some answers about prescriptions for type 1 diabetes car. I am 26, was diagnosed with T1D last year and have been getting along alright but cannot find any information on whether CGM of flash GM's are available to UK citizens on their Medicare scheme, has anybody had any experience with this/know anybody who has had experience with this? As I was diagnosed last year I went straight onto the Libre 2 then moved to the Dexcom One provided by the NHS and I would really struggle to go day to day without a CGM or flash GM. can't find anywhere whether this is available for UK citizens in Australia on a working holiday visa!

Any help, information or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[EllieM]

Hi @jaketsavage
Looks like you qualify for medicare

Medicare - Travellers

www.travellers.com.au

My understanding is that this means that you can use medicare to subsidise your visits to GPs (free if they bulk bill but many don't) and hence get prescriptions for insulin etc.

As regards supplies like the libre , you'll want to register with the NDSS which has all sorts of diabetes supplies.

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-diabetes-services-scheme-ndss

Looks like they now supply cgms/flash glucose equipment to T1s (when I left Australia 6 years ago I still had to buy mine). Am struggling to find a cost though? (Diabetic supplies aren't free but they are pretty cheap). I used to get a script for insulin from my doctor and then buy testing strips , needles etc from my chemist at NDSS subsidised prices.

The important thing is to check whether you can register with the NDSS