Free Victorian lifestyle programme

The Life! Program: Free Health Support That Actually Works

Take control of your health journey with expert guidance

The Life! Program is a completely free Victorian healthy lifestyle program that helps you improve your eating habits, increase physical activity and better manage stress. Run by qualified health professionals, the program shows you practical ways to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Why join the Life! program with us?

Exercise for Rehabilitation & Health is proud to be the longest-running and most successful provider of the Life! Program in Victoria. Our success has led us to:

Train incoming health professionals in collaboration with Diabetes Victoria
Present our achievements in Parliament
Set the standards for all other providers across the state

How it works

Changing your lifestyle isn't easy, especially on your own. The Life! Program gives you the motivation and support needed to make lasting changes through:

Group sessions with like-minded participants
Personalised guidance from qualified health professionals
Evidence-based strategies for sustainable health improvements
Ongoing support to help you stay on track

Research shows this approach is more effective than medication for long-term health improvements.

What you'll learn in the program

The Life! program covers essential topics for better health:

Nutrition and healthy eating strategies
Practical ways to increase your physical activity
Effective stress management techniques
Setting achievable health goals
Overcoming setbacks
Building sustainable habits

What people are saying about The Life! Program

“I feel more confident cooking healthy meals and feel so much better eating lighter meals. When I get the chance to exercise, I sleep better at night and overall I have more energy.”

Mala - Life Program Participant

“The Life! program showed me how to develop and maintain healthy eating habits, how to fit exercise into a busy lifestyle and find ways to stay motivated.”

Hitendra - Life Program Participant

Are you eligible? Take the quick test

You may be eligible for this free program if you are 18 years or over and:

Score 12 or higher on the Diabetes Risk Test
Have a Body Mass Index score of 25 or higher (or 23 if you are of Asian background)
Have had gestational diabetes

It only takes 3 minutes to check your eligibility.

Your First name

Your Surname

Your email address

Phone Number

Referred by

If your health care professional is filling this in with you put their details here. Otherwise leave blank

1. Your age group

2. Your gender

3. Ethnicity (a)

Are you of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander or Maori descent?

Ethnicity (b)

Where were you born?

4. Family History

Have either of your parents, or any of your brothers or sisters been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2)?

5. Blood Glucose

Have you ever been found to have high blood glucose (sugar) for example, in a health examination, during an illness, during pregnancy?

6. Smoking

Do you currently smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products on a daily basis?

7. Food intake

How often do you eat vegetables or fruit?

8. Exercise habits

On average, would you say you do at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week (for example, 30 minutes a day on 5 or more days a week)?

9. Your waist measurement

Your waist measurement taken below the ribs (usually at the level of the navel, while standing). Unsure of your waist measurement - match your clothing size to help

Waist score

For those of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent:

Waist score

For all others:

ADD UP YOUR POINTS

Did you score 12 or more? You are at HIGH RISK, submit your form and we'll get in touch

The diabetes prevention facts

Did you know? Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 can often be prevented.

Up to 60% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes
The Life! program is specifically designed to help reduce your risk
Since 2007, over 75,000 Victorians have learned how to live healthier lives through this program
It's the largest prevention program of its kind in Australia

About gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects about 5-10% of pregnancies and usually disappears after birth. However, it significantly increases a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

If you've had gestational diabetes, the Life! program can help you reduce your future risk.

Free Download: UNDERSTANDING GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

While there is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help keep blood glucose levels within the normal range, potentially eliminating the need for medication.

This state is known as remission rather than a cure, as blood glucose levels may rise again if healthy habits aren't maintained. This is why the sustainable approach taught in the Life! program is so important.

Ready to take control of your health?

Join Victoria's most successful Life! program provider and take the first step toward better health today.

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY NOW

The Life! program is supported by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria.