Understanding how Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can help to manage your blood glucose levels with Type 2 Diabetes
Managing type 2 diabetes can be hard work — but using new technology like Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can help you to learn more about the things that affect your glucose levels, and how to respond to them.
This article explains what CGM is, how it can help, what it costs, and how you can try it.
What is CGM?
CGM stands for Continuous Glucose Monitoring.
CGM devices use a small sensor that is inserted just under the surface of your skin. The sensor reads the glucose level in the fluid in between your cells (which is called interstitial fluid) every 1-5 minutes. It sends this information to an app on a smartphone, a separate device called a reader, or an insulin pump.
CGMs track your glucose levels across the day and night, without having to prick your finger.
The CGM reader can show your glucose level, and it also tells you whether it’s rising, falling, or staying steady.
Depending on the brand and model worn, the sensor is worn under your skin surface for between 7 and 15 days, and after that time will need to be replaced.
How is CGM different from blood glucose monitoring (BGM)?
There are differences between using blood glucose monitoring and CGM to measure your glucose levels.
| Feature | CGM | BGM (Finger-Prick) |
| Where glucose is measured | Interstitial fluid (under the skin) |
Capillary blood (from your finger) |
| Frequency of readings | Every few minutes (24/7) | Only when you check |
| Delayed reading | Can lag 5–10 minutes | Real-time result |
The delay in the CGM reading is more noticeable when your glucose level is changing quickly, for example after meals, exercise, or taking medication/insulin.
A video that helps explain the difference between CGM and BGM can be found here:
How can CGM help with managing type 2 diabetes?
Using CGM can make a big difference to your health and daily life. Here are some possible benefits:
- Gives you a better understanding of your glucose trends over 24 hours.
- Provides feedback about how food, exercise and medication (diabetes tablets and/or insulin) affect your glucose levels.
- Provides early warnings about high or low blood glucose levels.
- Helps your health care team make decisions about changes to your medication and insulin.
- Fewer finger pricks.
Research studies show that people living with type 2 diabetes using CGM can improve their HbA1c level (a measure of long-term blood glucose control). This is most likely due to healthy lifestyle changes by the wearer, but it was also found that diabetes treating teams responded faster in changing glucose lowering medications.
When is CGM most useful?
Wearing a CGM device can be useful in helping to manage type 2 diabetes in the following ways:
- When you have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to learn more about your glucose profile and how your body responds to certain foods, exercise, medications and illness.
- If your HbA1c is above target and you are working closely with your healthcare team to lower glucose levels through food choices, physical activity and medications.
- If you're using multiple insulin injections each day, CGM can help with insulin dose adjustment and alert you to low and high glucose levels so that you can take action to correct the level.
- If you're using sulphonylurea medication such as Gliclazide (which can cause low glucose), CGM can show whether your blood glucose levels are dropping below your target range.
- If you're starting or changing diabetes medications CGM can help your team with adjusting doses and/or timing.
Which CGM devices are available in Australia?
Although there are three brands of CGM available in Australia, there are two that are more commonly used by people living with type 2 diabetes:
- Dexcom One+
https://dexcom.com.au/dexcom-one-plus - Freestyle Libre 2 Plus
https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/freestyle-libre-2-plus-sensor-fsl2p.html
How much does CGM cost?
Currently, the cost of regular CGM use for people living with type 2 diabetes is not subsidised by The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). This means you would need to fund the full costs of the device.
Current cost 18/8/25
| Device | Days of wear | Total Cost | Cost per day |
| Dexcom One+ | 10 | $65.00 | $6.50 |
| Freestyle Libre 2 plus | 15 | $102.00 | $6.80 |
*Both companies provide a subscription service, which can slightly reduce the cost.
Some people living with type 2 diabetes may be eligible to have the cost of their CGM devices covered through other government schemes. These schemes are:
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
https://www.dva.gov.au/what-we-help-with/health-support/diabetes-services/diabetes-products - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
https://ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/disability-related-health-supports
For more information about these subsidies, speak with your diabetes health care teams.
A recent parliamentary inquiry has recommended making CGM more affordable for all Australians living with diabetes – regardless of the type.
If you are wanting to add your support for more affordable access to this technology, consider voicing your opinion here:
Sign the petition for CGM to be funded for everyone
Free or low-cost trials of CGM devices
Both Dexcom and Freestyle Libre provide free, or low-cost trials for people living with type 2 diabetes.
Free* trials – Both companies support diabetes educators to provide their clients with a free trial of their CGM technology. This is a great way to learn more about how CGM might help you while being supported by your diabetes educator – not only with knowing how to safely insert and wear the device, but also how to interpret the information and apply it to your diabetes management.
*The device will be provided for free, but there may be a consultation fee.
Low-cost trial –Freestyle Libre also allows consumers to purchase a $15 trial sensor directly from their website for trial at home. https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/freestylelibre2-trial
Getting the most out of a CGM trial
To get the most out of your trial wear, I would recommend working with a diabetes educator. If you are not currently working with a diabetes educator, you can find one in your local area from the ADEA website https://portal.adea.com.au/findacde
You can also make an appointment to see a Diabetes Educator at the Diabetes Victoria clinic https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/support-services/services/diabetes-victoria-clinic/
Many people will then also work with their GP or diabetes specialist, dietitian, or exercise physiologist to help make changes to their management to reach their diabetes health goals.
More Information
Final Word
CGM is a powerful tool that can help you manage your type 2 diabetes with more confidence and less guesswork. Whether you're on insulin or not, CGM can give you the insights you need to take charge of your health with the support of your diabetes health care team.
Talk to your healthcare team today about trying CGM and see what a difference it could make for you.
Renae Roll
Registered nurse (RN) and credentialled diabetes educator (CDE) at Diabetes Victoria
I have worked at Diabetes Victoria for 16 years as a Diabetes Nurse Educator. Prior to my role as a Diabetes Nurse Educator, I was an emergency nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne.
I am a parent to two children aged 12 and 15 years. In my spare time I like to exercise, cook, read and catch up with friends.
