By Chris Eldridge Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
5 minute read
Published 27 July 2026
Chris Eldridge Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
Chris is a Clinical and Sports Dietitian with a passion for promoting positive health and preventative care.
By Chris Eldridge Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
More than 1.3 million Australians live with type 2 diabetes, and over 45,000 will be newly diagnosed each year.1,2
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that can result in serious health complications if left untreated. The earlier type 2 diabetes is detected, the better it can be managed, and the healthier people can stay.
Learn about the warning signs of type 2 diabetes that you shouldn’t ignore.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in Australia.1
A chronic health condition caused by the body’s inability to respond properly to insulin, type 2 diabetes causes a build-up of glucose in the bloodstream, which can become dangerous and even life-threatening if left untreated.
Type 2 diabetes can be treated with lifestyle medicine, such as exercise and a healthy diet, and sometimes medication. If well managed, some people may even reverse their type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
You may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include advancing age and ethnicity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years before symptoms become noticeable. Some are diagnosed only after routine blood tests or when complications begin to develop.
This is why screening is important for people with risk factors, even when they feel well.
Warning signs for type 2 diabetes can include:
Many of these symptoms are caused by the effect high blood glucose has on the systems in the body.
While many of these symptoms can also indicate other health conditions, they should never be ignored. If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP.
Depending on your risk level, your doctor may recommend screening for type 2 diabetes every 1–3 years. For those with prediabetes or multiple risk factors, you may require more frequent monitoring.
Call us on 1300 030 238 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEST) to speak with one of our health professionals or register for a call back to find out what programs are available to you.
At Bupa, trust is everything
Our health and wellbeing information is regularly reviewed and maintained by a team of healthcare experts, to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. Everyone's health journey is unique and health outcomes vary from person to person.
This content is not a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.
Left unmanaged, hyperglycaemia can have serious consequences for your health. Here’s how to spot the early warning signs.
Prediabetes often has no symptoms. Learn the signs, understand your risk and discover how early action can make a difference.
Did you know exercise can significantly decrease your risk of diabetes? Here’s why, and how.
Bleeding gums and other mouth changes can reveal more than just dental problems. Bupa’s Head Dentist Dr Cathryn Madden explains what your oral health reveals about your type 2 diabetes risk.
1 Diabetes Australia. (n.d.). Diabetes in Australia.
2 Australian Institute of health and welfare. (2026). Diabetes: Australian facts.
