Launch of the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS)

For First Nations people, who are disproportionately affected by diabetes and chronic wounds, the scheme is available from the age of 50.

Most patients currently pay the full cost, around $4,000 each year, for their wound consumable products, such as bandages, dressings and adhesives. The program will help around 20,000 Australians a year to access completely free wound care products, no matter where they live. Eligible healthcare professionals can now enrol patients using an online portal and order wound consumable products to be delivered to a patient’s home or sent to themselves at no cost. Already over 3,500 healthcare professionals have registered to undertake the training and this number is continuing to grow. The Albanese Government has invested almost $50 million in the scheme as part of its commitment to strengthening Medicare and making health care affordable and accessible for all Australians.

Eligibility

The CWCS will support people with diabetes with a chronic wound who are:

• 65 years or older
• First Nations and 50 years or older.

Patients are not eligible for this scheme if they receive wound care or funding through:

• the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• the Department of Veterans' Affairs rehabilitation and treatment programs, including Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) dressings
• Australian Government-funded residential aged care homes, Home Care Packages or the Community Home Support Program
• public or community health services run by or on behalf of state and territory governments
• public and private hospitals – including post-operative and outpatient care.

You can find out more about the CWCS here.