About JDRF's advocacy program

About JDRF's

JDRF advocates have a vital role in building relationships between people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and Australia’s politicians.

One of JDRF’s core purposes has been fundamentally transforming the way Governments understand and invest in T1D. This has produced over half a billion dollars of new investment in T1D in Australia in the last 10 years, including the establishment and extension of JDRF’s Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (T1DCRN).

JDRF’s advocacy program, powered by advocates who give voice to the lived experience of T1D, has helped deliver a T1D-focused policy in EVERY election cycle since 2004.

This has been based on a bipartisan, community-driven approach, where we ensure all of our federal representatives have an understanding on what life with T1D is like, and the change their support can make.

Through ongoing advocacy efforts, JDRF advocates have been able to build relationships and drive meaningful change for the more than 130,000 Australians who live with T1D and their families.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the program.

Click here for information on how to join the advocacy program.

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My family and I have spent years advocating for T1D, since I was diagnosed when I was four. One of my favourite memories was travelling to Parliament House in Canberra for ‘Kids in the House’ and meeting with Members of Parliament as part of the ‘JDRF Promise to Remember Me Campaign’, advocating for funding for the JDRF Clinical Research Network. Knowing I am helping make a difference for my community is so important to me.

Ethan, JDRF advocate (South Australia). 

 

Our advocacy history… so far!

2004 Australian Islet Transplantation Program received $30 million of funding.
2007 Insulin Pump Program (IPP) begins for children under 18, resulting in our current program with over 1200 pumps. 
2010 $5 million from the Federal Government for the establishment of the T1DCRN, our main vehicle for research funding.
2011 Increase in age eligibility for the Federal Government’s Carers Allowance, resulting in an additional $43 million in support.
2013 Additional $870,000 of funding for the IPP.
2014 The government invests $35 million in the T1DCRN through its Australian Research Council.
2017 $54 million from the Australian Government towards Continuous Glucose Monitoring for young Australians.
2019 Bipartisan commitment achieved for $54.5 million for type 1 diabetes research.
2022 Bipartisan commitment achieved for $273.1 million for continuous and flash glucose monitoring device subsidy for all Australians living with T1D
2024 $6.5 million Budget commitment from the Government to support the continuation of research projects funded through the T1DCRN and already underway
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I am privileged and grateful to support MP engagement in Tassie. I’ve been living with T1D for a long time, and being able to advocate for issues important to me for so many years now has been such a powerful way for me to do something positive with my diagnosis. We won’t stop until we find a cure.

Daniel, JDRF advocate (Tasmania)

JDRF is more than just ONE organisation advocating for those living with T1D. We empower a NETWORK of advocates with T1D around Australia.

No other organisation of our size and nature in Australia is entirely focused towards people with T1D. JDRF’s network of advocates have helped people with T1D gain better access to medicines, strengthened their influence on decision-makers, and demanded progress towards a cure. We have done this by targeting policy, providing a platform for national T1D-related advocacy, improving public awareness of T1D and working with researchers to ensure the needs and interests of people with T1D drive research planning.

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My daughter Diya was diagnosed with T1D in 2016. As a parent, I dream of a cure for her and every other child and person living with this condition. That’s why we have been advocating with JDRF for over four years now. Being able to talk to MPs about what the reality of T1D is like to bring them on this journey with us gives me hope for a better future.

Sandeep, JDRF advocate (Victoria)

Achieving a better world for people with T1D: how the advocacy program works

What does it take to delivery on our advocacy goals?

  • The power of a dedicated team. JDRF has staff whose role is delivering T1D advocacy directly and through volunteers.
  • The passion and perseverance of our volunteer support networks. Our Advocacy Lead Network of volunteers engages with JDRF advocates locally helping us remain connected across Australia.
  • Providing tools for individual advocacy. Tools and support are provided to make the ‘how’ of advocacy easier for our volunteers.

 

Want to become an advocate?

Advocate for T1D