Advocacy Services
Living with diabetes can be challenging at times. It is a complex and serious health condition that impacts on a person’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing; requiring constant attention, motivation and resilience to manage. Diabetes Victoria’s advocacy team recognise this and is here to help you.
Diabetes Victoria’s advocacy team understands that there are many things to stay on top of when living with diabetes. All these things play an important role in our social and emotional wellbeing. The topics below are areas that we regularly encounter when speaking with people living with diabetes.
Our advocacy team
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Julie Davie
Advocacy Officer at Diabetes Victoria.
Hi, I’m Julie,
I have a background in social sciences and experience in helpline support. I’m committed to empowering people with diabetes and their loved ones to make informed healthcare decisions. I aim to stay engaged in their health journey.
When not working, I love to cook, travel and spend time at the beach. I am also a keen walker, gardener and tennis player.
How we help
- Listening to your diabetes story
- Working alongside you on any concerns or difficulties you may be experiencing
- Linking you with services, resources and information
- Building on your strengths and abilities to find solutions
- Working towards services and policies that value your lived experience and better support you in the ongoing management of your diabetes.
The most common topics people living with diabetes seek our advice and support on are listed below.
If you have any further questions or would like to speak to someone from our team, please call Diabetes Victoria on 1300 437 386 and ask to speak to the advocacy team. Alternatively, you can email advocacy@diabetesvic.org.au to arrange a conversation
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Emotional Health
Living with diabetes can be challenging at times. At times, you may feel like diabetes is just getting too much. But it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Help and support is available.
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Cutting costs
Managing diabetes is expensive. The following are some cost-of-living savings for Centrelink clients with current concessions cards for household costs, dental and eye care and taking medicines.
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Diabetes and coming to Australia
Some countries have arrangements with the Australian government to provide health care to their citizens while they are in Australia. These include Reciprocal Health Care Agreements and a temporary Medicare Card.
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Finding diabetes services
There are many support services that offer information to help people living with diabetes.
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Medicare and diabetes
Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system and covers many health care costs.
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Centrelink and Diabetes
You may be entitled to money from Centrelink if you have diabetes. You can contact Centrelink to check if you are able to receive a payment or concession as a person with diabetes or a family carer.
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Additional information and resources
This section covers additional information that people with diabetes may need.
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Workplace and diabetes
Most people with diabetes have long and successful working lives across interesting jobs
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Driving and diabetes
If you have diabetes there are some important facts that you need to know about driving.
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Insurance and diabetes
Most people living with diabetes can obtain insurance; whether it be life insurance, income protection insurance, private health insurance or travel insurance. They may just have to meet certain conditions and requirements