Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) are health professionals who have undergone a rigorous credentialling program, ensuring they possess specialised knowledge in diabetes education. This certification, which is a registered trademark of ADEA, provides assurance to individuals living with diabetes and their families that they will receive high-quality education and advice. CDEs play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of diabetes management, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life for clients.

they receive a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes, there are any unresolved issues regarding diabetes care, they require blood glucose monitoring (technology options), their glucose levels or previous HbA1c are above target, there is a change in diabetes management (i.e. change to medication/diet/exercise), they are starting insulin, the person is starting to use new/automated technology, they are going through key life transitions (workplace/living arrangements/ageing), there is a change in social situation that may impact management, the person is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycaemia, they are preparing for surgery, the person needs help with their sick day management, they are using insulin and need to discuss driving requirements, or they are planning a pregnancy or need support regarding contraception, and for at least one annual check-up.

CDEs operate in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, medical practices, and private practices. This diverse range of environments enables them to reach and support individuals living with diabetes in multiple contexts, ensuring access to quality diabetes education and care. To connect with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator in your area, you can use the Find a CDE function, making it easier to access the specialised support you need for effective diabetes management.

CDEs work collaboratively with general practitioners (GPs) to enhance the clinical support provided to individuals living with diabetes. Many GPs refer their clients to CDEs to help facilitate diabetes self-management through ongoing education and skills development. This partnership ensures a comprehensive approach to care, allowing clients to progress along their diabetes pathway with the support they need.

CDEs work collaboratively with clients to enhance their ability to follow diabetes treatment plans. By fostering open communication, they educate clients on the importance of sticking to prescribed regimens, such as taking medication and checking glucose levels. This partnership allows CDEs to understand individual challenges and provide targeted support, helping clients navigate barriers to effective self-management. Through this collaborative approach, clients are empowered to take an active role in their care, leading to improved health outcomes.

CDEs play a crucial role in reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications by equipping clients with the knowledge and skills needed for effective self-management. They are proactive in identifying potential issues early and implementing preventive strategies, promoting better long-term health outcomes. To ensure they provide the most up-to-date care, CDEs engage in continuous professional development through the ADEA and participate in ongoing training and workshops. This commitment to lifelong learning enhances their expertise and allows them to offer the latest evidence-based practices in diabetes education.

CDEs are integral members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. They collaborate with general practitioners, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive, client-centred care plans. Their unique perspective on diabetes management ensures that all aspects of a client’s health are considered, facilitating a holistic approach that enhances care coordination and improves client outcomes.

A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a healthcare professional who has met specific criteria and demonstrated expertise in diabetes education. CDEs can provide personalised advice, education, and support to people living with diabetes, their families, and carers. They help individuals to understand and manage their condition effectively, covering areas such as self-monitoring of blood glucose, healthy eating, physical activity, medication management, and strategies for preventing complications.

CDEs are dedicated to empowering clients at every stage of their diabetes journey. They offer personalised education and practical tools, drawing on their holistic expertise to tailor advice to each individual’s specific needs and cultural context. By fostering strong, trusting relationships, CDEs guide clients living with diabetes in self-management practices, helping them effectively monitor their condition and implement sustainable lifestyle changes.

The ADEA is the peak body for diabetes educators in Australia. Its primary role is to support and advance the profession of diabetes education, advocate for equitable access to quality diabetes care, and provide resources and professional development opportunities for its members, including the credentialling of diabetes educators.

Membership is open to a range of healthcare professionals with an interest in diabetes education, including registered nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists, pharmacists, medical practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, and more.

ADEA offers numerous networking opportunities through State and National events, Special Interest Groups (SIGs),and the online platform, Diabetes Connekt. These avenues enable you to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and cultivate a supportive professional network, enhancing your journey as a credentialled diabetes educator.

When you become a full ADEA member, you gain access to vital resources that support your journey to becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE). From this point, you can take advantage of our comprehensive mentoring program, which connects you with experienced CDEs in the field. With our enhanced Initial Credentialing Pathway, we offer a streamlined process that clearly outlines each step of both the initial credentialing and recredentialing procedures, ensuring you are fully prepared for what’s ahead. As the regulatory body, ADEA is dedicated to keeping our members updated on the latest advancements in diabetes education, policies, technologies, and research. Our supportive framework is designed to help you navigate any challenges during your application process. With ADEA, you’re not just pursuing a credential; you are joining a community dedicated to the success of CDEs and improving the lives of people living with diabetes.

ADEA membership is an investment in your professional growth, providing access to exclusive professional development, invaluable networking opportunities, and the essential pathway to becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE). You'll also be part of the peak body advocating for your profession.

The Mentoring Program offers vital guidance from experienced CDES as you develop the skills needed for CDE certification. It includes guided access to resources, feedback and documentation to support your learning throughout the mentoring period.

As Australia's leading diabetes education organisation, ADEA champions the professional growth and recognition of diabetes educators. Our robust Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) program sets the national benchmark, offering a streamlined pathway with a practical Professional Practice Microcredential and mentoring. We ensure ongoing excellence through the Australian Diabetes Educator (ADE) journal, endorsed courses, webinars, our Learning Hub, and state conferences. ADEA also actively advocates for the profession, develops best practice standards, and fosters community via Diabetes Connekt. We proudly recognise outstanding contributions through awards like the Jan Baldwin National CDE of the Year Award and support future leaders via our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educational Scholarship Program, which assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare professionals in pursuing diabetes education. ADEA is committed to empowering all diabetes educators with the knowledge, skills, and recognition to deliver high-quality care and significantly impact the lives of people living with diabetes.

The pathway involves several stages: Complete a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management. Register for ADEA membership. Start your mandatory Mentoring Program for at least six months. Log a minimum of 500 hours of diabetes education practice. Complete the Professional Practice Microcredential. Enrol in the Initial Credentialling Program and submit required documentation and assessments.

The fees include: An assessment fee of $162 (incl. GST) Professional Practice Microcredential fee of $50 Annual credentialling fee of $63 (pro-rated based on your membership renewal date)

If your primary health discipline is not listed, you can contact your peak body to discuss the application for recognition as an eligible discipline for credentialling with ADEA.

Becoming a CDE through ADEA offers significant professional advantages: Recognised expertise: gain national recognition as a highly qualified expert in diabetes self-management, a benchmark for quality care. Enhanced credibility: ADEA's credential signifies to clients and professionals that you provide expert, evidence-based diabetes education. Medicare & Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) recognition: your services are recognised by Medicare and DVA (and some private insurers), making expert diabetes education more accessible for your clients. Commitment to excellence: maintain current knowledge through annual re-credentialling and ongoing professional development. Rigorous preparation: achieve CDE status through postgraduate study, significant clinical hours, and structured mentoring. Professional community: connect with a network of dedicated, highly skilled diabetes education specialists. Improved career prospects: unlock more specialised roles and leadership opportunities in diabetes care. Greater Client Impact: empower individuals with the highest quality education for better self-management and health outcomes.

Eligible primary health disciplines include: Registered Nurse (RN or Division One) Registered Midwife Accredited Practising Dietitian Registered Medical Practitioner Registered Pharmacist Registered Podiatrist Accredited Exercise Physiologist Registered Physiotherapist Registered Optometrist AHPRA-registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner

Upon enrolment, you will need to upload several important documents, including: Your current primary discipline registration certificate Your Postgraduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management Your Mentoring Program completion certificate Verification of the Professional Practice Microcredential

To embark on the journey to become a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), you must be a registered health professional from a specific discipline, complete a recognised Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management, and meet additional requirements, including practical experience and mentoring.

You must complete at least 500 hours of diabetes education practice, with a minimum of 300 hours completed within the 12 months prior to your application submission.

We have partnered with Credly to develop and issue verifiable digital badges. Credly is an end-to-end solution for issuing and managing digital credentials. They partner with credible organisations worldwide to provide digital credentials to individuals.

You can share your badge directly from Credly to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook; via email; or embed it in a website or your email signature.

Showcasing your achievements is made easy with ADEA’s digital badges. Partnering with Credly, we transform your demonstrated learning outcomes into verifiable, easily shareable badges that enhance your professional profile on LinkedIn, resumes, and social media. These badges contain metadata verifying the skills or knowledge attained. Credly’s platform, based on Open Badge Standards by 1EdTech, allows you to manage, share, and verify your competencies digitally. These badges not only represent your achievements but also link back to ADEA, increasing visibility and engagement.

Although badges are digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on Credly. This link to verified data makes them more secure than paper-based certificates and prevents others from claiming your credential and identity.

Verifiable digital badges are online symbols that indicate you have completed a specific microcredential or achieved a particular skill. They function like electronic certificates that you can earn and share. What sets them apart is their embedded metadata; anyone can click on the badge to see detailed information about what you did to earn it, the issuing organisation, and the skills or knowledge you acquired. This metadata ensures that the badge is authentic and accurately represents your genuine achievements, making it a trusted validation of your expertise.

Metadata is data that provides information about other data. It helps describe the content, context, and structure of data, making it easier to find and use. For example, in a digital photo, metadata includes information like date, time, location, and camera settings. In verifiable digital badges for microcredentials, metadata is crucial. It includes: The issuing organisation The recipient’s name The date of issuance The skills or competencies demonstrated The criteria for earning the badge Any associated evidence or artefacts This metadata ensures the badge is verifiable and trustworthy, allowing clients and employers to understand its significance and verify its authenticity, adding value to the credential.

Displaying your skills as a badge allows you to share your abilities online in a simple, trusted, and easily verifiable way. Unlike self-reported information, badges offer a trusted method for real-time verification of your achievements and capabilities. Employers and peers receive concrete evidence of your skills, ensuring authenticity. Additionally, Credly provides labour market insights based on your skills, showing direct connections between skills and job opportunities. This allows you to search for and apply for relevant jobs directly through their platform.

Upon successful completion of a microcredential, participants receive a digital badge, which serves as a verifiable certificate highlighting the specific skills and competencies gained through the course.

Our microcredentials provide targeted, efficient knowledge acquisition and are cost-effective, allowing for affordable education. They are stackable, enabling progressive expertise building. Ultimately, they will help you stay current with the latest advancements in diabetes care, offering formal recognition that enhances professional credibility and career opportunities. Developed by diabetes experts, the content is highly relevant, evidence-based, and aligned with best practices.

With the rising prevalence of diabetes, ongoing education is essential to ensure healthcare professionals can provide high-quality, person-centred care, especially in aged care settings.

Here’s why our microcredentials are different and their value: Comprehensive and flexible learning experience ADEA microcredentials offer an in-depth exploration of specialised topics, providing flexible learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional webinars or podcasts. Each microcredential is thoughtfully designed with clear learning outcomes and a robust curriculum, developed in collaboration with seasoned Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and experts in diabetes education. This partnership guarantees that the content is not only high-quality but also relevant and current, equipping you with the latest knowledge in the field. Formal assessment and certification Our microcredentials include formal assessments to validate your skills and knowledge effectively. Upon completion of each course, you will earn a verifiable digital badge that showcases your expertise in specific areas. These badges not only enhance your resume but also strengthen your professional profile, making you more appealing to potential clients and employers in the competitive healthcare landscape. Interactive and engaging learning experience The microcredentials available through our user-friendly learning management system are designed to be highly interactive and engaging. Incorporating multimedia elements such as animations, videos, quizzes, downloadable PDFs, audio content, and case studies, these courses create a dynamic learning environment. Practical exercises and real-world scenarios allow you to apply what you’ve learned, ensuring a meaningful educational experience. Integrated assessments further evaluate your knowledge gain and confirm that you have achieved the necessary competencies to excel in your practice.

The microcredentials are structured as short, skills-based online courses that allow for flexible learning, accommodating the busy schedules of healthcare workers.

Microcredentials are succinct, targeted certifications that validate specific competencies or skills. Unlike traditional qualifications, which require extensive study over prolonged periods, microcredentials are flexible, time-efficient alternatives. These short, stackable courses (like Lego blocks) can be completed in as little as a few hours, fitting into the busy schedules of health professionals. They are designed to provide industry-relevant education that bridges skill gaps, complements existing qualifications, and serve as standalone credentials for professional development.

To help you stay at the forefront of diabetes education and care Diabetes management is rapidly evolving with new technologies and medications. Our microcredentials provide adaptable learning modules to help CDEs and healthcare professionals quickly upskill and stay current in diabetes care. To meet the growing demand for CDEs and health professionals In 2022, ADEA and the Australian Diabetes Society highlighted the importance of preparing the next generation of diabetes health professionals. Data revealed an ageing workforce and the need to double it to support the increasing number of people living with diabetes. This need mirrors the trend in Australia’s broader health workforce, which is expected to expand significantly due to an ageing population and increasing chronic conditions. Strategic planning and investment in training are crucial to meet future demands, making ADEA’s microcredentials essential for rapid upskilling to keep pace with rising needs. To ensure you’re with us in leading diabetes education Microcredentials reflect a changing global education environment where consumers seek small, cost-effective educational units they can build upon over time. A key element of ADEA’s education and training strategy (2023–26) is the development of microcredentials and digital badging. As an industry leader, ADEA is introducing these innovative qualifications to diabetes education, providing you with the latest flexible, targeted learning opportunities. This ensures your position as a leader in diabetes education, with skills and competencies that are easily recognised and validated.

Microcredentials offer significant advantages, including flexibility and customisation. They can be pursued as individual units or stacked to build comprehensive knowledge. This modular approach allows professionals to select courses aligned with their career goals and needs, unlike traditional qualifications that may include irrelevant units. Additionally, microcredentials are cost-effective and time-efficient, allowing for self-paced learning that fits around work and personal commitments, making them ideal for busy professionals.