The RACGP’s 2025 Health of the Nation report couldn’t be clearer: GPs are carrying the weight of Australia’s diabetes crisis. Every year, the burden of type 2 diabetes grows, yet general practice teams are expected to do more with less — less time, less funding, and fewer hands on deck.

Here’s what’s standing out for those on the front line of type 2 diabetes care — and how Defeat Diabetes can help lighten the load.

1. The challenge: rising complexity, shrinking capacity

More than two-thirds of GPs now say that managing complex chronic disease — especially type 2 diabetes — is their biggest challenge. Nearly one in three are treating cases that used to be referred directly to a specialist.

Longer consults have become the norm, but there’s simply not enough time or funding to provide the level of ongoing nutrition and lifestyle support patients need. Only a third of GPs feel they can deliver adequate preventive care or sustained dietary guidance.

How Defeat Diabetes helps: Defeat Diabetes takes the heavy lifting out of lifestyle education. Our program provides structured, evidence-based nutrition support, meal planning tools and ongoing digital coaching directly to patients. By filling the “between-visit” gaps, Defeat Diabetes helps patients stay on track with dietary changes and weight loss goals, while freeing up clinical time for acute and complex management.

2. The challenge: access and equity barriers

Almost 9% of Australians are delaying GP visits due to cost, and this figure is highest among people aged 15–34, who have the most to gain from early detection and intervention.

For rural and remote practices, the barriers are even greater. Workforce shortages and limited access to allied health make it difficult to deliver early dietary support or ongoing follow-up.

How Defeat Diabetes helps: Our free type 2 diabetes risk calculator helps identify individuals at risk early, and our affordable digital program ensures everyone can access support, regardless of their postcode. Defeat Diabetes can complement in-person care or serve as a first step for those who might otherwise miss preventive advice entirely.

3. The challenge: preventive care that doesn’t get funded

More than 80% of GPs want to do more preventive work, but 82% say current MBS rebates and incentive schemes don’t allow for it. Lifestyle interventions get pushed aside by more urgent, complex cases.

Nurses and CDEs report the same frustration. They know preventive care works, but can’t scale their support to every patient.

How Defeat Diabetes helps: GPs, nurses, and CDEs can confidently refer patients knowing they’ll receive evidence-based, Diabetes Australia–recognised education that aligns with RACGP and NDSS principles. The program reinforces in-clinic advice, supports behaviour change between visits, and provides progress data back to the care team — all without extra admin or time pressure.

4. The challenge: the need for multidisciplinary, tech-enabled care

Around 65% of GPs want to work in more multidisciplinary models, but are held back by funding constraints, limited access to allied health professionals, and a lack of practical digital tools.

As out-of-clinic care becomes the norm, nurses and CDEs need technology that helps them reach more patients, not more red tape.

How Defeat Diabetes helps: Defeat Diabetes integrates seamlessly with GP management plans, making it easy for practice nurses, CDEs, and dietitians to collaborate virtually. It can be used for group sessions, one-to-one support, or remote monitoring — helping make true team-based care a reality.

Empowering primary care teams

The message from this year’s Health of the Nation report is clear: the system is stretched, and the old way of managing type 2 diabetes isn’t working.

Digital dietary solutions are no longer “nice to have” — they’re essential. Defeat Diabetes empowers healthcare professionals with practical tools, proven results, and patient-centred support that fits seamlessly into everyday clinical workflows.

Together, we can make Australia’s approach to type 2 diabetes care simpler, smarter, and far more effective — helping every patient live better, wherever they are.