Functional medicine is a healthcare approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of illnesses rather than just treating symptoms.

It views the body as an interconnected system influenced by factors like diet, sleep, stress, exercise, and genetics. Practitioners create personalised care plans that often include lifestyle changes, nutrition, stress management, and supplements.

This method is gaining popularity due to its emphasis on prevention and tailored treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes, PCOS, and menopause.

Key takeaways:

• Focus: Root causes of illness, not just symptoms.
• Approach: personalised plans considering lifestyle, genetics, and environment.
• Treatments: Diet modifications, stress management, and integrative therapies.
• Conditions Addressed: Metabolic issues, hormonal imbalances, and chronic diseases.
• Tools: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and advanced diagnostic tests.

Functional medicine is increasingly accepted in healthcare systems, with growing training programs and certifications for practitioners. It combines modern technology and patient-centred care to improve long-term health outcomes.

Functional medicine in the AU healthcare system

Functional and integrative medicine is gaining momentum in Australia as more people seek holistic, root-cause approaches to chronic conditions and wellness. Though not yet mainstream in public healthcare, it is increasingly available through private clinics and supported by growing professional networks.

Australians can access trained integrative practitioners through organisations like the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) and the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), both advocating for formal pathways and evidence-based practice. AIMA, founded in 1992, works closely with universities such as Western Sydney and Southern Cross to develop mentored education for medical professionals.

GPs have also shown rising interest: over one-third now report using integrative approaches, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recognises “Extended Skills” in integrative medicine, bridging conventional and complementary care.

Private clinics across major cities, including Advanced Functional Medicine (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth), IMH Gold Coast, and MINT Clinic in Melbourne offer evidence-based functional medicine services, combining diagnostics, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and CGM monitoring.

Training and qualifications for practitioners

As functional medicine grows in Australia, so does the need for qualified practitioners and structured training pathways. Here's how the landscape stands:

• Regulated health professionals such as GPs, nurses, naturopaths, and chiropractors must be registered with Ahpra to practice legally in Australia.
• University-level qualifications like the Master of Integrative Medicine at Southern Cross University equip medical professionals with evidence-based integrative skills, including clinical placements.
• Postgraduate diplomas and short courses from institutions like True Foods Nutrition and CCM College offer practical training for nutritionists, naturopaths, and health practitioners in functional medicine testing and personalized care.
• Professional associations such as AIMA and ACNEM support ongoing practitioner education and advocate for recognised integrative standards.
• Specialised CPD courses and workshops are available through WesternX and AIMA, offering focused training in integrative clinical practice for GPs and allied health professionals.

These programs ensure practitioners gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in root‑cause healthcare, including CGM interpretation, lifestyle medicine, and advanced diagnostics.

Importantly, completion of such training does not change legal prescribing rights but enhances clinicians’ ability to offer holistic, patient‑centred care.

Curious if CGMs are useful beyond diabetes? Here's what Australians need to know about using a CGM without diabetes.

Managing metabolic health through functional medicine

Functional medicine in Australia digs deep into the underlying causes of metabolic issues by looking at your unique genetics, environment, and lifestyle. The goal is to create custom treatment plans that restore balance and support long-term health.

Common metabolic health issues

Metabolic dysfunction is becoming an epidemic down under:

• Diabetes: Around 6.6% of Australian adults now have diabetes—an increase from 5.1% a decade ago totaling roughly 1.3 million people Australian Bureau of Statistics. Experts believe unregistered cases may bring that number closer to 2 million for adults over 45 RACGP.
• Type 2 diabetes makes up about 85–90% of cases, while gestational diabetes affects approximately 1 in 6 pregnancies.
• Indigenous communities face serious disparities: adults are 3–4 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, with rates up to 25–30% in certain region.
• PCOS affects around 5–10% of Australian women of reproductive age, often involving insulin resistance and increased cardiometabolic risk.
• Menopause, with its associated estrogen drop, often brings insulin resistance, weight gain, and cardiovascular risks, a prime focus for functional medicine.

Addressing these conditions early and holistically allows for nutrition, lifestyle, and tests-based strategies to restore balance.

Personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans

At the core of functional medicine is a personalised approach to nutrition and lifestyle. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, practitioners assess an individual’s biochemistry, genetics, and daily habits to create tailored interventions.

These plans often include whole-food nutrition, stress-reduction strategies such as meditation or yoga, and exercise routines designed to improve insulin sensitivity. Diets typically focus on unprocessed foods, prioritising protein to stabilise blood sugar, fibre-rich vegetables to reduce inflammation, and healthy fats to support overall metabolic health.

Processed foods and refined sugars are generally reduced or avoided, as they can trigger inflammation and disrupt glucose balance.

Advanced diagnostic testing such as metabolic panels, hormone assessments, and inflammation markers is frequently used to uncover underlying imbalances. These insights help practitioners design highly targeted plans that support long-term health and align with functional medicine’s mission to address root causes rather than just symptoms.

How Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) helps

Continuous Glucose Monitoring, or CGM, offers a powerful way to personalise metabolic health care. These wearable devices provide real-time feedback on how your blood sugar responds to daily habits like eating, sleeping, exercising, and managing stress.

In functional medicine, CGM is increasingly used to uncover hidden glucose patterns that contribute to brain fog, cravings, energy dips, and weight changes. Instead of relying on guesswork or occasional blood tests, CGMs give you a continuous stream of data so you can make informed lifestyle changes as you go.

A recent Australian survey showed that users became more active, made better food choices, and felt more empowered in managing their health after using CGM technology. In fact, Vively users reported measurable improvements in their Time-in-Range, the percentage of time blood sugar levels stay within a healthy zone within just days of using the system.

Platforms like Vively take CGM a step further by combining real-time data with personalised nutrition coaching. Through the Vively app, users can:

• Log meals and snacks to understand how different foods impact glucose
• Track lifestyle habits such as sleep and physical activity
• Receive instant feedback on how their body responds to choices in real time
• Spot patterns like post-meal crashes or overnight spikes
• Build long-term habits that promote stable energy and better metabolic health

Clinicians using functional medicine principles can also work with CGM data to identify early signs of insulin resistance and guide more targeted interventions.

“Functional medicine is about seeing each person as a whole system. We examine how diet, sleep, stress and lifestyle intertwine, and then craft individual plans. Not just covering symptoms but supporting true wellness. It is a more empowering and sustainable way to care for health in Australia today.” — Dr Michelle Woolhouse, Integrative GP

Whether you're managing a chronic condition or simply aiming to feel better every day, CGM offers a clearer view of what your body truly needs.

Want to fine-tune your habits? Learn how to optimise nutrition and exercise timing with a CGM.

Tools and resources for functional medicine in Australia

Accessing the right practitioners and tools transforms how you approach metabolic health. In Australia, both private clinics and digital health platforms are making functional medicine more accessible than ever.

Finding functional medicine practitioners and clinics

• Private integrative and functional medicine clinics such as the Australian Centre for Functional Medicine offer virtual consultations and holistic diagnostic testing across the country. Advanced Functional Medicine Australia similarly provides in-person and telehealth support focused on metabolic, hormonal, and gut health.
• Professional associations like the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) co-founded by Prof Avni Sali, and the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), support training and set professional standards in integrative care.
• GPs integrating functional medicine: Nearly half of GPs with interest in integrative practice undertake formal or informal training. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners supports continuing education in this area.

Technology and digital health tools

• CGM adoption in Australia is rising rapidly. As of 2024, over 80% of people with type 1 diabetes use CGMs thanks to expanded NDSS subsidies.
• CGM market insights show the Australian market grew to approximately USD 142 million in 2023, with an anticipated 11.8% annual growth through 2030.
• Available CGM devices include Dexcom G6, FreeStyle Libre 2, and Guardian 4 systems—-all supported in Australia and featured as top choices in recent device review.
• Platforms like Vively enhance CGM use by combining real-time tracking with nutrition coaching and behaviour insights, especially beneficial for metabolic optimisation in non-diabetic individuals.

With the growing availability of qualified practitioners and tools like CGM, functional medicine in Australia is becoming more practical and personalised. These resources lay the foundation for long-term metabolic support, especially when paired with targeted therapies and lifestyle strategies.

Functional medicine vs. conventional medicine

Functional medicine differs from conventional approaches by focusing on prevention and personalisation. Rather than treating isolated symptoms with standard protocols, functional medicine looks for the underlying causes of illness and addresses them through lifestyle, nutrition, and long-term behavioural change.

Tools like Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) are used in functional medicine to support real-time tracking and prevention of metabolic issues.

While these tools may not always be covered by Medicare or private insurance, many clinics and programs like Vively offer affordable access with added nutrition support.

Here’s a side-by-side look at the key differences:

While both approaches serve important roles in healthcare, functional medicine offers a proactive path for those looking to prevent illness and optimise health through lifestyle change. This is especially valuable for individuals navigating chronic symptoms like fatigue, hormonal imbalance, or insulin resistance before a diagnosis is reached.

The future of functional medicine in the AU

Australia is experiencing a transformation in healthcare, with AI-driven tools, advanced diagnostics, and personalised care reshaping the landscape, especially in metabolic and chronic disease prevention. Functional medicine stands to play a central role in this shift, supported by emerging Australian and global trends.

Key developments include:

• AI-enhanced diagnostics using CGM and wearables are becoming more common. Research from CSIRO notes how AI tools, chatbots, and remote monitoring systems are already being integrated into clinical care in Australia .
• Advancements in CGM and artificial pancreas systems are accelerating globally. Closed-loop systems, combining CGM with insulin pumps—are now entering clinical trials and field assessments.  While Australia currently prioritises CGM for diabetes patients, future access may broaden to include non-diabetic metabolic optimisation.
• Efforts to expand CGM subsidies are underway. Diabetes Australia has called for a $200 million allocation to widen access not only for type 1 and type 2 diabetics but also for pregnant women and Indigenous Australians.
• Precision medicine for metabolic conditions, including type 1 diabetes, is being pursued by groups like JDRF Australia, focusing on genomics, beta-cell preservation, and personalised care pathways.
• R&D into non-invasive glucose monitoring (NIGM) continues to grow worldwide, with companies exploring sensor fusion and AI though commercial rollout is years away

These developments point toward a future where functional medicine is deeply integrated with personalised technology and AI-driven diagnostics. Australian healthcare is already seeing a move toward preventive metabolic health supported by CGMs, AI tools, and precision diagnostics—all aligning with functional medicine principles.

With clinical trials underway, policy shifts in CGM subsidies, and major investment in digital health infrastructure, Australia is poised to see functional medicine evolve from complementary pathways to mainstream, evidence-based healthcare solutions.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Functional medicine approaches, tools like CGMs, and lifestyle recommendations should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider to ensure they suit your individual needs. Always seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional before making changes to your health plan.