Entitlement for diabetics in the land from down under.

[sarahmom]

Hello I am an Australian lady with a daughter 5, who is type 1.
I live in Ireland with my husband and 2 children, we are thinking about returning to Aus as we have all my family in Queensland and we have NO family here I was wondering what benefits were available for diabetics in Aus.
Here, I have a fulltime special needs assistant assigned to my daughter at school, we get a minimal carers allowance per week for me looking after sarah and my husband works.
We do not have to pay for anything at all when it comes to her "bits" that we need for her pump and the continuing things to go with it, in fact the pump was free too! We are not "poor" its just that the irish cover this over here, we own 3 investment properties in Aus (well, borrowed and paying them off) so we know we are not entitled to any benefit even if my husband was unemployed in Aus, I just dont know what they offer diabetic children to help families and schooling.
If you know or can help me with my questions....Thankyou

[kiwikid]

Hi Nikki,

Have you tried www.realitycheck.org.au ? They have a forum where members may be able to help you or they have some great online resources too.

[T_Adelaide]

Hi Nikki. I've only just seen your post- sorry.
We receive a small carers allowance for Libby (we are not on a low income), & all pump consumables are subsidised. Children with type 1 get a health care care which entitles them to cheap insulin & other medications. Our pump was fully covered by our private health insurance.
I have no idea what sort of help children with diabetes get in Qld schools. In fact I'm not even sure what happens in schools here in SA because after diagnosis we moved Libby to the school I work at!!! :D
If you sign up with this email group run by CWD someone may be able to help you. http://mail.castleweb.com:81/guest/RemoteListSummary/cwd_nzaus
Good luck!

[Leanne]

If you're an Aussie living os then you'll be entitled to a Medicare Card when you get home, and I assume the kids will be on the card too.
Anyone who is entitled to a Medicare Card and is diagnosed with Diabetes is entitled to National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) registration (Registration form: http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/_lib/doc_pdf/ndss/Registration_Form_DA105.pdf- hence your daughter will be entitled to subsidised Blood Testing Strips, Urine Testing Reagents (strips mostly) and free needles/syringes. Order form: http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/_lib/doc_pdf/ndss/Order_Form_DA102.pdf
Because she is under 18, she'll automatically be eligible for subsidised pump consumables on the NDSS too. IPC access form: http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ndss/doc_pdf/ipc/Assessment_form_090804.pdf
Order form: http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ndss/doc_pdf/ipc/Order_Form_IPC.pdf
I'm not sure if she'll qualify for a 'Health Care Card' too, but if she does, she will pay even less for the subsidised products (e.g. general price 50 strip = $6.80, Concession price = $1.00)
Its a long way to call - but if you're returning to QLD - give Diabetes Australia Queensland a call in Brisbane (61 7 3239 5666), they should be able to have with further advice.
Regards
Leanne

[Caynuns mom]

BOY do we need something like this here in the states!