How Much Does a Tubeless Insulin Pump Cost in Australia for people with Type 1 Diabetes?
What should I know before choosing an Insulin Pump?
Accessing an insulin pump can be an important decision for many, and there are several factors to consider before making a decision with your healthcare team. In this guide, we will examine some of things to keep in mind when selecting a tubeless insulin pump. As always, discuss with your healthcare team when considering changes to your diabetes management.
What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is a small electronic device that delivers insulin through a cannula which is inserted under the skin (subcutaneously). The pump works by delivering small doses of rapid-acting insulin continuously (the basal, or background, rate). The device also is used to deliver variable amounts of insulin when a meal is eaten (bolus). Pumps range in size and design with many requiring tubing to be attached to the user, however in the case of the Omnipod® 5 System, it uses a tubeless Pod to provide up to 3 days (up to 72 hours) of automated insulin delivery.
What are some reasons people choose an Insulin Pump
In a 2011 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare survey, 88% of respondents stated that it was to improve their diabetes management. The second most mentioned reason was for lifestyle purposes, with 67% of respondents citing the desire for flexibility in meal timing, food intake, or sleep patterns as the main factor. With the main benefits of using a pump being lifestyle and better control at 86% and 83% respectively1.
How much does a tubeless insulin pump cost in Australia?
Accessing an insulin pump in Australia has traditionally been achieved through private health insurance with people being able to access a new pump every 4/5 years depending on their insurer.
Those eligible with private insurance can access the Omnipod 5 for $31.80/box for general and $24.10/box for concession card holders.
Those eligible without private health can pay $185/box (up to 30 days’ worth) to Insulet with no lock in period to access Pods via their pharmacy. Upon collection you will also pay the NDSS co-payment of $31.80/box for general and $24.10/box for concession card holders
This provides the opportunity for people to;
- Experience and understand if the therapy is the right fit for their lifestyle before committing to a four-year period through their private health insurance.
OR - Continue paying their monthly amount with no lock in and use Omnipod as you choose, alongside healthcare team guidance without needing private health insurance (in some instances, the non-lock in cost can often be more affordable than the monthly cost of insurance).
How to access an insulin pump in Australia?
To access an insulin pump in Australia you will need to discuss your suitability with your Diabetes Healthcare team. Once consulting with your team and deciding to move forward your team will support you with the necessary paperwork to move forward including order forms, letters of support and private health forms if required.
If you would like to learn more about Omnipod 5, request a call from one of Omnipod Specialists.
What features and functionality are available with Omnipod?
As above, this too comes down to your individual needs and discussing options with your healthcare team. While doing so some of the features and functionalities that may be considered.
1. Design:
The Omnipod 5 is a tubeless, wearable, and waterproof† insulin pump. Each Pod sits on the body for up to 3 days (72 hours), automatically adjusting insulin delivery every 5 minutes thanks to its built-in SmartAdjust™ technology. The pump also has built-in Bluetooth® technology, which allows you to use the SmartBolus calculator on the Controller discreetly and remotely to deliver the bolus through the Pod.
2. The sensor§:
Your Omnipod 5 connects to your choice of sensor between the Dexcom G6, G7 and Freestyle Libre 2 Plus, continuously sending glucose values to the Pod, giving you real-time readings without the hassle of finger pricks‡. The Pod and sensor need to be in ‘line of sight’ to stay in Automated Mode. Placing them on the same side of the body allows for best communication between the devices.
3. Where can I wear it and how do I put it on?
Where you place your pump can be important to consider as you will often wear delivery device for up to 3 days. With the Omnipod 5 System you can wear the device almost anywhere you would give yourself an insulin injection.
The Omnipod 5 System has an automatic insertion system, which uses a spring-loaded mechanism to insert the cannula under the skin without the need for an exposed needle.
How will I be supported?
It can be helpful to know how you will be supported with the device you and your healthcare team align on. If you have any late night product questions or issues it can be useful to know you’ve got support readily available to answer questions.
Users of the Omnipod insulin pump, gain access to a comprehensive support program, including technical support, training, and troubleshooting assistance. We also offer a 24/7 customer care line, as well as a online customer portal that can be helpful for users.
Get a Pod Experience Kit*
If you are wondering what it feels like to wear a Pod, click on the link below to get a non-functioning demo Pod*. Please note that you should speak with your diabetes Healthcare Professional to assess your suitability for the Omnipod 5.
1Insulin pump use in Australia (full publication; 8 Aug 2012 edition) (AIHW)
†The Pod has a waterproof IP28 rating for up to 7.6 metres for 60 minutes. The controller is not waterproof.
‡Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
*The Pod Experience Kit contains a needle-free, non-functioning Pod. Controller is not included.
§ Sensors sold separately and require a separate prescription.
The Omnipod 5 System is intended to operate as an automated insulin delivery system when used with compatible Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM). When in automated mode, the Omnipod 5 system is designed to assist people with type 1 diabetes in achieving glycaemic targets set by their healthcare providers. It is intended to modulate (increase, decrease or pause) insulin delivery to operate within predefined threshold values using current and predicted CGM values to maintain blood glucose at variable target glucose levels, thereby reducing glucose variability. This reduction in variability is intended to lead to a reduction in the frequency, severity, and duration of both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.
The Omnipod 5 System can also operate in a manual mode that delivers insulin at set or manually adjusted rates.
The Omnipod 5 System is intended for single patient use. The Omnipod 5 System is indicated for use with NovoLog®/NovoRapid®, Humalog® / Liprolog®, Admelog® / Insulin lispro Sanofi®, Trurapi® / Insulin aspart Sanofi®, and Kirsty® U-100 insulin.
Warning: SmartAdjust™ technology should NOT be used by anyone under the age of 2 years old. SmartAdjust™ technology should also NOT be used in people who require less than 5 units of insulin per day as the safety of the technology has not been evaluated in this population.
The Omnipod® 5 System is NOT recommended for people who are unable to monitor glucose as recommended by their healthcare provider, are unable to maintain contact with their healthcare provider, are unable to use the Omnipod® 5 System according to instructions, are taking hydroxyurea and using a Dexcom Sensor as it could lead to falsely elevated CGM values and result in over-delivery of insulin that can lead to severe hypoglycaemia, and do NOT have adequate hearing and/or vision to allow recognition of all functions of the Omnipod® 5 System, including alerts, alarms, and reminders. Device components including the Pod, CGM transmitter, and CGM sensor must be removed before Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, or diathermy treatment. In addition, the Controller and smartphone should be placed outside of the procedure room. Exposure to MRI, CT, or diathermy treatment can damage the components.
Warning: DO NOT start to use the Omnipod® 5 System or change settings without adequate training and guidance from a healthcare provider. Initiating and adjusting settings incorrectly can result in over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin, which could lead to hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
©2025 Insulet Corporation. Insulet, Omnipod, the Omnipod logo, SmartAdjust, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Insulet Corporation. All rights reserved. Dexcom, Dexcom G6, and Dexcom G7 are registered or unregistered trademarks of Dexcom, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries and are used with permission.. The sensor housing, FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc and used with permission. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Insulet Corporation is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The use of third-party trademarks does not constitute an endorsement or imply a relationship or other affiliation. Insulet Australia Pty Ltd, Level 16, Tower 2, Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. INS-OHS-10-2025-00387 V1.0