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Diabetes Australia’s training arm
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Safely Injecting Insulin (Theory only)
Disability Support Workers

SHORT COURSE

Safely Injecting Insulin (Theory only)

DURATION

5 hours

PRICE

$100 AUD

The essential theory behind safe insulin administration in disability care settings. Build knowledge, reduce risk, and prepare your team for practical training.

About the course

This course provides the theory component of the Safely Injecting Insulin training. It is designed for disability support workers who support people living with diabetes.

Completing this course provides essential knowledge but does not authorise insulin administration.

Practical face-to-face skills training, competency assessment and formal delegation remain mandatory. Whether you can inject insulin depends on your state or territory legislation and workplace policies.

Please note: This course is designed for disability support workers and is not suitable for aged care, childcare or early learning settings.

Training for organisations

If you are looking to train multiple staff, we offer flexible options to support your organisation, including volume enrolments and annual subscriptions.

Email us to discuss the best option for your organisation.

Face-to-face training (Greater Sydney)

For organisations in Greater Sydney, we also provide the face-to-face practical skills training and competency assessment with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator. Email us for more information or to request a booking.

Returning learner discount

If you have completed the Practical Diabetes for Disability Support Workers course, you may be eligible for a discounted enrolment in this course.

If you still have access, check within your current course for your coupon code.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this theory-only course, participants will be able to:

  • Provide safe and compliant care by following policies, procedures, working within their scope of responsibility and under delegation.
  • Understand diabetes management plans and their role in delivering safe and effective diabetes care.
  • Identify glucose target ranges and their significance in diabetes care.
  • Describe how to monitor glucose levels using blood glucose meters and interstitial glucose monitoring devices, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
  • Describe how to handle and store insulin and related equipment properly.
  • Describe how to prepare clients for insulin administration, including the 7 rights of medication.
  • Describe how to inject insulin using the correct technique.
  • Recognise, manage, and report adverse reactions, including hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
  • Document care accurately, ensuring clear and professional record-keeping.
IMPORTANT: This course provides theory only. It does not include practical skills training or competency assessment and does not authorise insulin administration.

Think of this course like the driver knowledge test: it teaches the rules, but it doesn’t give you the licence. Practical competency assessment is still required—and whether you can administer insulin depends on your state or territory legislation and your workplace’s policies.

Adult Man Portrait with a Down Syndrome and a Caregiver

The course includes:

Foundational training (2 hours online)
Practical Diabetes for Disability Support Workers 
This introductory course ensures participants have a solid understanding of diabetes before learning about insulin administration.

Insulin administration theory (3 hours online)
Available after completing the foundational course, this course covers the theoretical knowledge required to support insulin administration, including:

  • Monitoring glucose levels using a meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to ensure levels are within the client’s target range.
  • Injecting insulin using insulin pens, with correct techniques and dosages.
  • Recognising and responding to issues such as adverse reactions, including how to manage emergency situations.
  • Documenting insulin injections, including dosage, timing, and any adverse reactions, while following the correct processes and procedures.

Topics

This course covers:

  • Types of insulin
  • Legal limits and responsibilities
  • The insulin administration process (theoretical)
  • What is a Diabetes Management Plan
  • Rights of medication
  • Monitoring glucose levels
  • Preparing to administer insulin (theory)
  • Administering insulin (theory)
  • Managing issues and emergencies
  • Post-administration considerations

Resources

There are resources provided to download, including an example Diabetes Management Plan.

Delivery: online course
This is a fully online course completed in the Diabetes Qualified Learning Management System. Learners can progress at their own pace.

We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop with the Chrome website browser.

Certificate
On completion of the online modules and assessments, participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Please note: This course is theory only and does not include a practical skills assessment or authorisation to administer insulin.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I enrol in the full Safely Injecting Insulin course (incl. Practical Assessment)?

    The full program (online theory and face-to-face training) is currently available for organisations in Greater Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. If your organisation would like to book one or more sessions, please email us at training@diabetesqualified.com.au.

  • Who can provide the face-to-face training and competency assessment?

    Face-to-face training and competency assessment must be delivered by a suitably qualified health professional, such as a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) or Registered Nurse, in line with your organisation’s policies and relevant state or territory legislation.

    Some organisations arrange this internally through their own nursing staff. Others work with external providers.

    If you would like guidance on possible options, please contact us at training@diabetesqualified.com.au.

  • Are care and support workers able to inject insulin?

    Yes. Care and support workers may inject insulin if this is permitted under legislation in their state or territory and the task has been appropriately delegated by a Registered Nurse (RN).

    This requires:
    – clear organisational policies and procedures
    – appropriate training, including both theory and practical competency assessment
    – demonstrated competency in insulin administration
    – a current Diabetes Management Plan for and informed consent from the person receiving care

    This course provides the theory component of that training, building the knowledge required before completing face-to-face skills training and competency assessment.

    IMPORTANT: Always seek legal advice if unsure about your state or territory’s requirements. Diabetes Qualified cannot provide legal advice.

  • Do I need prior experience or qualifications to take this course?

    There is no formal prerequisite for participating in this course. However, it is best suited for disability support workers who hold or are working towards a Certificate III in Individual Support or a similar qualification and are currently or about to care for a person who is unable to self-inject their insulin.

  • Will completing this training be enough for the care workers to be allowed to inject insulin?

    No. This course provides the theory component of insulin administration training, but it is not enough on its own.

    Care workers must also complete face-to-face skills training, competency assessment, and formal delegation by a Registered Nurse (RN) before administering insulin.

    In addition, organisations must have:
    – clear policies and procedures
    – appropriate delegation processes
    – a current Diabetes Management Plan for the person receiving care
    – informed consent

    Requirements for insulin administration vary across Australian states and territories. Organisations must ensure they are following local legislation and regulatory guidance.

    Together, these elements create the framework that enables trained care workers to perform the task safely and in line with legal and organisational requirements.

  • Is your course accredited?

    No, the full course is not a nationally accredited course. However, it has been developed in collaboration with credentialled diabetes educators and reviewed by industry experts. Diabetes Qualified is the training arm of Diabetes Australia and ensures all content is evidence-based, practical, and aligned with best-practice diabetes care in aged and disability support settings.

  • Does this course cover all types of insulin delivery methods?

    This course focuses on insulin pen devices, as these are the most commonly used methods in a care environment. If you require training on syringes or insulin pumps, consult the person’s diabetes healthcare team about your specific training needs.

  • How much does the full course cost?

    Pricing depends on factors such as group size, location, and delivery requirements.

    Please contact us at training@diabetesqualified.com.au to discuss your needs and receive a tailored quote. We’re happy to talk through options that may work for your organisation.

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Product
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Safely Injecting Insulin (Theory only)
Safely Injecting Insulin (Theory only)
1
$100
Subtotal $100
Total $100

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