Blood Sugar Targets for Australians with Diabetes

Blood sugar (blood glucose) targets are one of the foundations of diabetes management in Australia. Knowing what range to aim for — and understanding why those numbers matter — can help you make more informed decisions about food, activity, medication and when to seek medical advice.

This guide covers the blood glucose targets used in Australian clinical practice, explains how they differ for various situations, and describes the unit of measurement (mmol/L) used throughout Australia.

Blood Glucose Units in Australia

Australia measures blood glucose in millimoles per litre (mmol/L). This is the standard across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and most of Europe. The United States uses milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL), which produces much larger numbers for the same blood glucose level.

For example, a blood glucose reading of 7.0 mmol/L in Australia is equivalent to approximately 126 mg/dL in the United States. This distinction matters when reading American diabetes websites, research papers, or using imported glucose meters.

Our free Blood Sugar Unit Converter can instantly convert between mmol/L and mg/dL.

General Blood Glucose Targets for Adults with Diabetes

The following targets are based on Diabetes Australia guidelines and are broadly consistent with those of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). They apply to most adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are not pregnant.

Targets for People with Type 1 Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes often use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) or frequent fingerprick testing to stay within their target range. In addition to the before-meal and post-meal targets above, CGM users often track time in range (TIR) — the percentage of time blood glucose stays within a target window.

The internationally agreed time-in-range targets for adults with type 1 diabetes are:

• Time in range (3.9–10.0 mmol/L): More than 70% of the time
• Time below range (<3.9 mmol/L): Less than 4% of the time
• Time in hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L): Less than 1% of the time
• Time above range (>10.0 mmol/L): Less than 25% of the time

CGMs are now available to many Australians with type 1 diabetes through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), which subsidises CGM consumables for eligible individuals.

Targets for People with Type 2 Diabetes

For people with type 2 diabetes, blood glucose targets are generally the same as the general adult targets above. However, targets may be individualised based on:

• Whether you use insulin or medications that can cause hypoglycaemia (e.g. sulphonylureas)
• Your age and how long you have had diabetes
• The presence of other health conditions, particularly kidney, heart or liver disease
• Your personal preferences and ability to manage intensive monitoring

Many people managing type 2 diabetes with diet and oral medications only (no insulin) may not need to test blood glucose daily. Your GP or endocrinologist can advise how often testing is appropriate for your situation.

Blood Glucose Targets During Pregnancy

Targets during pregnancy — whether for gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes — are considerably tighter than general adult targets. This is because persistently elevated blood glucose during pregnancy is associated with risks to both the mother and baby, including large birth weight, premature delivery and neonatal hypoglycaemia.

If you are pregnant and have diabetes or gestational diabetes, your targets will be managed closely by your obstetric and diabetes care team. Do not attempt to manage these targets without direct medical supervision.

Targets for Older Adults

For older adults — generally those aged 65 and over — blood glucose targets are often less strict. This is because the risks of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) are more dangerous in older people, who may be less able to recognise early symptoms, may live alone, or may have other health conditions that make low blood sugar more hazardous.

For older adults, Diabetes Australia and the RACGP suggest that slightly higher targets are acceptable in many cases, with the priority being the avoidance of hypoglycaemia rather than achieving very tight control. Discuss your appropriate targets with your GP.

Understanding Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar)

A blood glucose reading below 4.0 mmol/L is considered hypoglycaemia in Australia. Symptoms can include shakiness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness and irritability. Severe hypoglycaemia can cause loss of consciousness and requires emergency treatment.

The standard first response to mild hypoglycaemia is the "15–15 rule": consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (such as glucose tablets, half a cup of fruit juice, or 3–4 regular jelly beans), wait 15 minutes, and retest. If still below 4.0 mmol/L, repeat.

Hyperglycaemia: When Blood Sugar is Too High

A blood glucose level consistently above target range is called hyperglycaemia. In the short term, high blood sugar causes symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision. Over the long term, persistently elevated glucose is the primary driver of diabetes complications, including damage to the eyes, kidneys and nerves.

If your readings are frequently above your target range, speak with your GP or diabetes care team. It may indicate that your current treatment plan needs adjustment.

Using the DiabetesHub Blood Sugar Converter

If you encounter blood glucose values in mg/dL — common in American health content, research papers or imported devices — our Blood Sugar Unit Converter makes it easy to translate between the two systems.