Version 5.0.0, 1 July 2026. First published June 2016. 001297-NDSS Key facts Regular diabetes health checks help find any diabetes-related complications. Checks of your eyes, heart, kidneys, feet, and teeth can find problems early. This is when they are easier to manage. Reviews of your diabetes care plan, like healthy eating and physical activity, help you find ways to improve your health. Start by asking your doctor or nurse practitioner about the checks you need. They can do the checks or refer you to other health professionals when needed. Related pages Diabetes-related complications Blood glucose monitoring Medicines for diabetes All about insulin Find a health service Find a health professional or pharmacy in your area. On this page Why you need diabetes health checks How to get your checks Types of diabetes health checks Diabetes management review Medicare support When to see a health professional What this means for you More information and support Why you need diabetes health checks Over time, diabetes can affect many parts of your body, such as your eyes, kidneys, feet, heart, and nerves. These are called diabetes-related complications. Diabetes health checks help you and your diabetes health professional find diabetes-related complications early, when they are usually easier to manage. Many people do not notice the early stages of a diabetes-related complication. So, do not wait until you have symptoms. Regular checks help protect your health. How to get your checks The first step is to ask your doctor or nurse practitioner what diabetes health checks you need. They can do some of these health checks during your appointments. If needed, your doctor can refer you to other health professionals for the remaining health checks. You can also fill in the diabetes health checks checklist to see what checks you may need. Bring this checklist to your appointment with your doctor. Complete the diabetes health checks checklist Types of diabetes health checks Checks from your doctor or nurse practitioner Your general practitioner (GP), endocrinologist (diabetes specialist), or nurse practitioner may do these health checks during your usual appointments. They will give you a referral to have blood and urine tests at a pathology lab. How often you need each check and what your targets are may differ from what is shown below. Talk to your doctor or health professional about what is right for you. HbA1c What it is: A blood test that shows your average blood glucose levels over the past 10 to 12 weeks. How often: Every 3 to 12 months. Target: 7% (53 mmol/L) or less for most people, but your target may be different. Ask your doctor what is right for you. Blood fats (cholesterol) What it is: A blood test to check your levels of blood fats, called cholesterol and triglycerides. How often: At least once a year. Targets: Depend on your overall health, but as a general guide: Total cholesterol – less than 4 mmol/L LDL – less than 2 mmol/L HDL – 1 mmol/L or above Triglycerides – less than 2 mmol/L Blood pressure What it is: A cuff is placed around your arm to measure how hard your blood pushes against your blood vessel walls as your heart pumps. How often: At least every 6 months. Target: Below 130/80 mmHg for most people, but your target may be different. Ask your doctor what is right for you. Note – your diabetes educator can also check your blood pressure. Kidney checks What it is: There are 2 types of kidney checks: a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working a urine test to check for protein in your urine. How often: At least once a year. Target: For the blood test, the target is over 90 mL/min/1.73m2. Ask your health professional what your target for the urine test is. Medicare for health checks Some checks, like blood tests, may be covered by Medicare. For other diabetes health checks, ask your GP about a GP chronic condition management plan (GPCCMP). These plans may give you access to a Medicare rebate for up to 5 allied health professional visits each year. If you need mental health support, a Mental health treatment plan (MHTP) can give you access to Medicare rebates for visits with a mental health professional. Health care card and pension card holders may be able to access public dental care services. Health checks from other health professionals Your doctor can help you arrange these checks with other health professionals. Eye check Who does the check: An optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor). What it is: A check of your eyes for any diabetes-related eye damage. How often: Every 1 to 2 years. Target: Eye health maintained. Foot check Who does the check: A podiatrist. What it is: A check of your feet for diabetes-related foot or nerve problems. How often: Depends on your risk. Ask your podiatrist or doctor what your risk is or check your risk here. Very low and low risk – every 6-12 months Moderate risk – every 3-6 months High risk – every 1-3 months Target: Foot health maintained. Note – your GP or diabetes educator may check your feet. Teeth and gum check Who does the check: A dentist. What it is: A check of your mouth for any problems with your teeth or gums. How often: Every 6 to 12 months. Target: Teeth and gum health maintained. Note – your GP may review your dental health. Diabetes management review Regularly reviewing your diabetes management with your doctor or nurse practitioner is just as important as other health checks. This includes: healthy eating physical activity any medicines you are using your emotional wellbeing your sick day action plan vaccinations stopping smoking or vaping (if relevant). Your doctor or nurse practitioner can help you make any changes needed to better manage your diabetes and overall health. They can also refer you to an allied health professional, such as an accredited practising dietitian. When to see your health professional Make an appointment to see your GP, nurse practitioner or diabetes educator: to help you organise your diabetes health checks if you have questions about your health checks, including your results or targets as soon as you notice any changes to your health to make a plan for reaching your target ranges for any of your diabetes health checks. What this means for you Diabetes health checks are a vital part of looking after your diabetes. They can help find problems early and protect your long-term health. Make an appointment with your GP, nurse practitioner, or diabetes health professional to get started. More information and support Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 600 and ask to speak to a health professional. Access NDSS programs and services: Go to ndss.com.au/services/support-programs/ to find a program or service in your area or online. Look after your feet: Visit FootForward for diabetes to check your risk and learn how to look after your feet. Get eye check reminders: Go to KeepSight with Diabetes to register for free eye check reminders. Find a credentialled diabetes educator (CDE): Visit the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) and search for a CDE in your area. Find a dietitian: Go to Dietitians Australia to find a dietitian near you. Find an exercise physiologist: Go to the Exercise and Sports Science Association (ESSA) to find an exercise physiologist near you. Disclaimer This information is intended as a guide only. It should not replace individual medical advice and if you have any concerns about your health or further questions, you should contact your health professional. Sources Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2024). Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice. Australian Diabetes Society and Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (2011). National evidence-based clinical care guidelines for type 1 diabetes in children adolescents and adults.
