New registrations

Who can register with the NDSS?

You can register if you:

• live in Australia or
• are visiting from a country with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement on an applicable visa (as outlined below)
• have been diagnosed with any type of diabetes by your doctor; or
• have other eligible conditions requiring regular monitoring of blood glucose levels; and
• hold (or are eligible to hold) a Medicare card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card.

You are not eligible to register if you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia, sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.

People with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or ‘other’ diabetes may apply to be registered with the NDSS. ‘Other’ diabetes includes diabetes relating to:

1. genetic defects of beta cell function (e.g. MODY 1,2,3,4,5,6)
2. genetic defects in insulin action
3. diseases of the exocrine pancreas (e.g. neoplasia, cancer of the pancreas, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis)
4. endocrinopathies (e.g. Cushing’s)
5. drug or chemical induced (e.g. Vacor, Nicotinic Acid, Glucocorticoids, Thiazides)
6. infections (e.g. congenital rubella, Coxsackie, CMV)
7. uncommon forms of immune-mediated diabetes
8. other genetic syndromes sometimes associated with diabetes.

For more information on how to register with ‘other’ diabetes go to Other types of diabetes and download the ‘Other’ diabetes eligible to register with the NDSS list.

Visitors to Australia

If you are a visitor to Australia from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, you may be entitled to temporary registration to the NDSS.

These countries include Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

However, visitors on a student visa from Finland, Malta, Norway and the Republic of Ireland are not eligible.

For more information, visit the Human Services website.

How to register

To register with the NDSS, you need to:

• complete this NDSS Registration Form
• if you are aged 15 years or under, or aged 16 years or older and require a primary carer or guardian the carer or guardian section of the registration form must be completed
• have the form signed (certified) by an authorised health professional as detailed on the form
• keep a copy of the registration form for your records and
• email the form to info@ndss.com.au (preferred option), or lodge by the methods listed on the form.

After your registration is approved you will receive:

• a Welcome SMS message containing your NDSS registration number or a Welcome email containing your NDSS registration number, information on where to get products and where to find other useful information (including your local diabetes organisation)
• an information pack in the post (it may take up to 10 working days), containing your NDSS registration card, information booklet (NDSS starter pack) and information from your local diabetes organisation.

If you need to access products, services and support through the NDSS while you are waiting for your physical NDSS registration card, you can present your certified registration form, your Medicare card, or NDSS registration number provided via SMS or email. Visit any NDSS Access Point (usually a community pharmacy) to access products available through the NDSS at subsidised prices. If you have any difficulties accessing subsidised products, ask them to call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 for further assistance.

To find a community pharmacy in your area:

• use Find a service
• or call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700.

If you have lost or damaged your registration card, please phone the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 to order a replacement or complete the online form.

For further information on updating your personal details, go to Manage your registration.