Economic Burden of Diabetes in Australia

School of Medicine

Economic Burden of Diabetes in Australia

Lead Researcher: Distinguished Professor David Simmons

About the project

Diabetes Australia supports and activates cross-disciplinary research and collaboration between academia and industry through the co-funding of research awards and scholarships aligned to the priority research needs of people living with and at risk of diabetes. The objective of this approach is to fast-track research and development to improve the lives of people, health systems and society sooner and assist emerging researchers in additional to developing scientific can technical skill, acquire practical skills and knowledge in real-world settings.

A real-time understanding of the Economic Burden of Diabetes in Australia is imperative to support advocacy efforts, optimising resource allocation, developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for improve the lives and health outcomes for people living with and at risk of diabetes.
To achieve this outcome, Diabetes Australia will co-fund a PhD scholarship through its industry PhD scholarship initiative. This will support a program of research for a candidate to quantify the full direct and indirect economic costs of diabetes in Australia in the most recent financial year. This project will include understanding:

• the direct, health care costs attributable to diabetes and related complications
• the indirect costs including productivity loss, carers, out of pocket expenses
• how costs can vary by cofactors including payer, location, diabetes type, population sub-groups and other relevant factors.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Domestic students will receive a tax-free stipend of $50,000 per annum to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• a three-year Project Expense and Professional Development package of up to $10k p.a.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.
• a minimum of three-month (60 days full-time) equivalent p.a. embedded within Diabetes Australia’s setting (either remotely or in person)
• Structured career and professional development training

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in the economics of diabetes.

The successful applicant should:

• Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen
• hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• not have previously completed a PhD, or any other primary scholarship
• be able to commence the Program in Q4 2025 - 15 September 2025
• be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that has been approved and, if required, comply with the Western Sydney University’s external enrolment procedure.

How to apply

1. Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the projects eligibility criteria.
2. Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
3. Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting 'Project Scholarship'. Note: You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher;
Dis. Prof. David Simmons - Da.Simmons@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

• Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
• Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

You may also find answers to your questions by visiting our Higher Degree Research (HDR) Knowledge Directory.

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship reference code: PS2025_CS0639134_SoM