Insulin pump preparation
To start on an insulin pump at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) you need to speak with your endocrinologist at your next diabetes clinic appointment. After some discussion, your doctor can make a referral to the Diabetes Allied Health Team to change
from insulin injections to an insulin pump.
Introductory letter for insulin pump commencement at the RCH.
Below are the steps and links you need to complete to prepare for starting an insulin pump. Before submitting the final checklist (3), make sure you have:
- your funding for the insulin pump including required documentation/evidence of application to Breakthrough T1D.
- provide evidence of completing the insulin pump online module (link below) and save the PDF to upload with your checklist. If you are unable to complete the online module, note on your checklist that you have attended a pump information session at
RCH.
- evidence you have completed the carbohydrate worksheet, linked below.
1. Insulin pump module
This module does not yet include information on the Omnipod, our module is currently being updated, see the Omnipod website.
Insulin pump module
2. Carbohydrate worksheet
Carbohydrate worksheet
3. Insulin pump checklist
Insulin pump checklist
*The current waitlist to begin insulin pump therapy at the RCH is approximately 12 months from the time your checklist is completed and received. We are currently reviewing our processes to reduce this wait time.
Insulin pump learning and appointments
Online learning module (linked above), learning how the insulin pump works
This module provides key information to consider before starting insulin pump therapy. It includes frequently asked questions, explains how a pump works—including hybrid closed-loop technology and outlines important benefits and challenges. Along
the way, you will answer questions to support your decision to switching to pump therapy, with links to pump companies also provided.
Week prior to insulin pump start
Phone call with diabetes nurse educator (DNE) to prepare for pump start.
- Week of insulin pump start
Start on insulin pump: Tuesday education 9am - 2pm (4-6 hours), return on Wednesday 9am - 12pm, return on Friday 9am - 12pm.
- One week after insulin pump start
Thursday telehealth review with DNE (one hour).
- Six weeks after insulin pump start
Wednesday afternoon telehealth appointment.
Eligibility criteria to start on an insulin pump
- Wearing CGM and regularly accessing reports.
- Willingness to wear another device 24 hours a day (tubed pumps can be disconnected for a period of time for bathing, contact sports and swimming).
- Self adjusting your insulin doses.
Other consideration when preparing to start on an insulin pump:
- Computer access, either at home or a plan for another option e.g. library, school, work.
- Confident with carbohydrate counting and you may consider to start flexible bolusing - this is a helpful stepping stone for preparing to starting on a pump. Refer to flexible bolusing information.
Insulin pumps supported at the RCH
Accessing diabetes technologies with external providers
Considerable support is required following a pump start. Please note that if you choose to access an insulin pump from another team (not public RCH), ongoing care and support must come from that team for at least the initial six months. Consistency in
diabetes management is one of the biggest predictors of success. Switching between care teams can lead to confusion and poor diabetes outcomes. If you have gone to another center but decide to return to the RCH, a new referral alongside updated information
from your interim diabetes provider is needed.
Pump costs
The costs of pumps vary, but are approximately $8,000–$9,000 depending on which pump is chosen.
Families can access pump therapy using either:
Private Health Insurance
Most private health insurance policies cover the cost of an insulin pump, though a minimum level of hospital cover is often required. Confirm with your health fund when considering insulin pump therapy, and request written confirmation of coverage.
To be eligible, most insurers require at least one year of membership (however some pump companies offer a 'loan to own' program, discussed below).
About loan to own as a pump funding option
For some people there can be a delay in starting Insulin pump therapy due to a private health insurance waiting period. There can be an option to access an insulin pump earlier by using one of the ‘loan to own’ programs offered by three pump companies
accessible at the RCH. Not all private health insurance companies allow you to access these programs and it is essential that you check with your provider. At present we are aware of three companies who do not allow access: Qantas, NIB and Mildura
Health.
'Loan to own’ means that the company will allow you to start on your chosen insulin pump before the private health Insurance waiting period has ended. This process works a little differently with each company and we recommend that you investigate each
companies’ information. See below.
- Medtronic AccessPlus
- Tandem Accelerate and Pump Program: go to the ‘How to Order’ section towards the bottom of the page.
- mylife Ypso Insulin Pump Gap Program – no specific information on the website, but contact customer service on: 1800 447 042. To access their program, you will need to sign a separate agreement outlining the details of the arrangement.
Important points to be aware of:
- You may be required to provide credit card details to access a ‘loan to own’ program.
- The warranty period for your Pump will be extended by the loan to own period. This means that the end of the warranty and your new private health insurance waiting period will match so you won’t be stuck with an out of warranty pump.
- You will be responsible for any loss or damage to the pump that is not covered by the standard warranty.
We are offering access to these programs on the following basis:
- You have a current referral to commence insulin pump therapy and you have completed the above the insulin pump checklist discussed above.
- You will remain on the 'loan to own' pump at the end of your private health insurance (PHI) waiting period.
- Have at least three months remaining of the PHI waiting period.
- First time accessing an insulin pump.
If you choose to access a ‘loan to own’ program this will mean:
- We will update the pump waitlist to reflect that you will be accessing a pump using a ‘loan to own’ program.
- Your referral will no longer be held up waiting for the private health insurance deadline to expire.
- Your referral will now be progressed based only on your referral date and you will be contacted when you are next in line for a pre-pump session. From there it is usually around six-eight weeks until the pump start.
- When you attend your pre-pump session we will complete the paperwork to access the relevant ‘loan to own’ program.
Breakthrough T1D Insulin Pump Program
Breakthrough T1D have an insulin pump program that provides insulin pump funding for families who meet certain criteria.
Let the diabetes team know the outcome of your application. Your Breakthrough T1D application does not mean you are on the RCH pump waitlist, a referral from your endocrinologist alongside the completed pump checklist is still needed to join the waitlist at RCH.
As of January 2026, all new applications for funding through Breakthrough T1D will be placed on hold. It is not anticipated that funding will be available for these applications before July 2026. For more information about the current situation please contact Breakthrough T1D.
Ensure you consider the ongoing costs with pump consumables. These include the line/cannula and insulin reservoirs as well as ketone strips (approximately $30-40 per month).
Please note: You need to apply for funding and provide evidence of that funding source before submitting you pump checklist (linked above). This evidence can include a letter, email, or screenshot.
Insulin pump consumables (lines and cannulas or pods)
Pump consumables are covered by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Starting on an insulin pump with another service (e.g. private care)
All patients seeking a private pump start outside of RCH are required to transfer their care to an external provider for a minimum period of 3 months following the pump start before care can return to RCH (if this is desired).
This external provider will be responsible for your pump start, follow-up education sessions and your diabetes care during this 3-month period.
This decision is based on the following factors:
- Consistent support and follow up in the initial period following a pump start is important for patient safety and consolidation of education.
- Given that insulin pump therapy is a therapy option and not a therapy requirement or imperative, we have waiting list for insulin pump starts. Our resources and equity issues require that patients are seen in turn according to time on the waiting
list and clinical need. The time for each patient at pump start includes a period of intensive contact in the first weeks and months after pump start. If you choose to access insulin pump therapy outside of our waiting list then this will have to
include your post-pump initiation support . We are unable to redirect resources away from patients on our wait list to those who started pumps elsewhere.
During this three-month period, you can access emergency care at the RCH.
To return to the RCH Diabetes service a detailed handover from the external provider/s is required. This handover should include, the pump start date, model of pump and type of CGM used for automated insulin delivery, current pump settings and the names
of the people who attended the education sessions.
Please note a private pump start requires the support of an Endocrinologist and a Diabetes Educator OR a Nurse Practitioner who is also a Diabetes Educator.
Where should I direct any additional questions?
If you have any further questions speak with your endocrinologist at your next diabetes appointment or contact 9345 6661/email diabetes@rch.org.au.
Page updated March 2026
Online carbohydrate worksheet. - not in use
Online Insulin Pump Start Checklist - not in use