Type 2 Diabetes means reduced levels of insulin (insulin deficiency) and/or the inability of the body to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). The disease, which is highly correlated with Obesity, is most common among people aged 40 years and over and accounts for 85-90% of all people with diabetes.  Many people with this form of diabetes eventually need insulin therapy to control their blood glucose levels.

According to the 2004-05 National Health Survey, 582,800 people (approximately 3% of the population) reported having Type 2 Diabetes. Information from the 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study, a recent national survey in which blood glucose levels were measured, estimated that more than 850,000 Australians aged 25 years and over (7.2% of that population) had Type 2 Diabetes in 1999-2000. Around half of the people in the AusDiab study who tested positive for diabetes were not aware that they had it.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, which occurs mostly in people aged 50 years or over. Although uncommon in childhood, it is becoming increasingly recognised in that group.  People with Type 2 Diabetes produce insulin but may not produce enough or cannot use it effectively.  Type 2 Diabetes may be managed with changes to diet and exercise, oral glucose-lowering drugs, insulin injections, or a combination of these.