We appreciate your interest in the Life! program. As a healthcare professional, you play a key role in supporting patients at risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Life! is here to help you empower your patients with the tools they need to take control of their health.
What is the Life! program?
Life! is a free, evidence-based lifestyle change program available across Victoria. Funded by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria, it helps participants reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke by making sustainable changes to their diet, physical activity, and overall well-being.
The program is available in English, Arabic, Vietnamese and Chinese. It is delivered by health professionals through:
- Group courses (in-person or online)
- Telephone health coaching
Participants receive seven sessions covering:
- Reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
- Healthy eating, physical activity and stress management
- Goal setting and behavior change techniques
Supporting women’s health
Women with certain health conditions face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Life! offers support for:
Women who have had gestational diabetes (GDM)
- A dedicated Life! after gestational diabetes program supports parents with practical strategies to lower long-term risk.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Life! offers support to manage lifestyle factors that contribute to increased diabetes risk.
Women at all stages of menopause
- Healthy lifestyle changes can improve physical and emotional symptoms.
Women with other risk factors
- Life! also supports women who are at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to various health conditions or lifestyle factors.
How to refer your patients
Referring your patients to Life! is simple.
Note: patients must live in Victoria to be eligible for the program.
- Check if your patient meets at least one of the eligibility criteria (see referral form)
- Complete referral form
- Fax the form and pathology documentation to 03 9667 1757 or email it to casefinding@diabetesvic.org.au
You can also upload the referral forms into your clinical software and point of care tools are available to identify eligible patients. Read more here.
Raising patient awareness
Increase patient engagement with these simple tools:
- Printed materials – Flyers, brochures for your clinic.
- Posters – Display in waiting areas to encourage self-referrals.
- Patient conversations – Discuss Life! as a support option for those looking to reduce their risk factors
Download or order free resources here.
Book an information session
Want to learn more? We offer free information sessions for GPs, practice nurses, and clinic teams.
These sessions cover:
- An overview of the Life! program and patient outcomes
- Eligibility criteria, referral processes and referral incentives
- Relevant MBS items for diabetes and CVD risk assessments
- The benefits of a nurse-led preventative clinic
- Identifying eligible patients via point of care and clinical summary tools
Contact our Primary Care Engagement team
Simply email us to book a session for your team today!
Stay connected!
Please get in touch for any follow-up questions or feedback. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn.
We look forward to hearing from you!
