Find answers to common questions about the Small Steps for Big Changes Australia program.
SSBC is a free health coaching and exercise program designed to help adults at risk of type 2 diabetes make sustainable improvements to their physical activity and healthy eating habits. Through personalised coaching and practical support, participants learn how to make small, realistic changes that can lead to long-term health benefits.
The program is completely free for eligible participants.
SSBC is currently being evaluated in Australia to understand how effective it is in helping people reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and how it can be delivered successfully in community settings.
SSBC focuses on small, realistic changes that fit into everyday life. Rather than following strict rules or quick-fix approaches, participants receive personalised support to build healthy habits that can be maintained long term.
SSBC Australia is delivered by trained health coaches through community-based sites (The Y and Logan Healthy Living as part of UQ Health Care) in partnership with The University of Queensland. The program was originally developed in Canada and is currently being evaluated in Australia to understand how it can best support people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
SSBC is designed for adults aged 18 years and over who may be at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Eligibility is determined through a short screening questionnaire completed before enrolment.
No. You can register your interest directly and complete the eligibility screening yourself. Healthcare professionals may also refer people who may benefit from the program.
We encourage you to register your interest and speak with a member of the SSBC team. We can discuss your individual circumstances and help determine whether the program is a suitable fit for you.
The program includes:• 6 one-on-one sessions with a trained health coach• Personalised exercise support• Healthy eating education• Health and fitness assessments• A participant workbook• A 12-month follow-up appointment
SSBC is a 6-week program consisting of 6 one-on-one sessions with a trained health coach. To get the most benefit from the program, we encourage participants to commit to attending sessions over the full 6-week period.
Participants usually attend 1 to 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The coaching part of the session typically takes around 15–30 minutes. Depending on your exercise preference, the exercise component may take 20–60 minutes and can either be completed during your appointment or scheduled separately. Your coach will help you choose an option that suits your needs and availability.
Sessions 1 and 6 must be completed in person because measurements are collected during these appointments. Sessions 2–5 may be completed either in person or online, depending on your needs and what is agreed with your coach, although in-person attendance is preferred where possible.
Topics covered throughout the program include:• Understanding your personal motivations for change• Healthy eating and hidden sugars• Strength training and physical activity• Healthy carbohydrate choices• Overcoming barriers to healthy living• Managing setbacks and maintaining progress
Yes. Exercise is an important part of SSBC. The exercise component is tailored to your fitness level, health status, preferences, and goals. You do not need to be fit or regularly active before joining.
Absolutely. SSBC is specifically designed for people at all stages of their health journey. The program focuses on helping you make realistic, achievable changes, regardless of your starting point.
No. SSBC does not prescribe a strict diet or meal plan. Instead, your coach will help you identify practical healthy eating changes that fit your lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
No. The primary goal is to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by supporting sustainable lifestyle changes. Some participants may lose weight as a result of these changes, but weight loss is not the focus of the program.
Yes. Participants can access the facilities at the location that best suits them to complete the exercise component of the program while they are enrolled in SSBC. Exercise can also be completed at alternative locations depending on the goals set with the coach.
No. Your coach will discuss exercise options with you and help identify activities that match your abilities, preferences, and comfort level. The program focuses on finding practical ways to increase physical activity that work for you.
SSBC is designed to fit into real life. We understand that work, family, and other commitments can make scheduling challenging. Because SSBC is a 6-week program, we encourage participants to prioritise attendance where possible to gain the full benefit of the program.
We understand that holidays and other life events happen. If you have travel planned during the program, please let your coach know as early as possible. In some circumstances, participation can be paused for up to a couple of weeks and then resumed when you return. To get the most benefit from SSBC, we encourage participants to complete the program as close as possible to the 6-week timeframe and restart their sessions promptly after their holiday.
Missing an occasional session is okay. If you miss one of the middle sessions, you can simply attend your next scheduled session and continue through the program. Your coach will work with you to stay on track and get the most out of your participation. Sessions 1 and 6 are particularly important, as they include health and fitness measurements and are required to complete the program.
Participation in SSBC is completely voluntary. You are free to withdraw from the program at any time without providing a reason. Withdrawing from the program will not affect your access to other services or programs.If you are thinking about withdrawing, we encourage you to talk with your coach first. Sometimes adjustments can be made to your schedule or participation to help you continue if that is your preference.Alternatively, if you need a short break due to holidays, illness, work commitments, or other life circumstances, it may be possible to pause your participation for a short period and resume when you are ready.
Yes. SSBC aims to support people with a wide range of abilities, health conditions, and life circumstances. We encourage anyone interested in the program to complete the eligibility screening and speak with the team about their individual needs.
Many participants have different levels of mobility and physical function. Your coach will work with you to identify activities and strategies that are appropriate, safe, and achievable for you. The focus is on making positive changes that suit your abilities and goals.
Many participants join the program with existing health concerns or physical limitations. Your coach will work with you to identify activities that are safe, appropriate, and achievable for your circumstances.
Many people join SSBC while managing other health conditions. Your coach will work with you to tailor the program to your individual circumstances and help you set realistic, achievable goals.
Yes. If having a support person present would help you participate in the program, please discuss this with your coach or the site team when booking your appointments.
We encourage participants to let us know about any accessibility or support needs during the enrolment process. We will work with you to make participation as accessible as possible within the resources available at the site.
We know that the 6 sessions are just a start, so we are interested in how the program has impacted you over the longer term. To help understand these impacts, we will repeat the surveys and in-person measurements. Surveys: We will email you surveys at 3-months, 6-months and 12-months after the program. These surveys, which should take no more than 15 minutes, will repeat most of the questions that we asked you before and at the end of the program. 12-month appointment: we will also ask you to come back into the site at 12-months so that we can repeat your in-person measurements. This gives a chance to check how you are going and your experiences since the program.
The follow-up appointment helps us understand how participants are progressing over time and whether the program is supporting lasting lifestyle changes.
Yes. Your personal information and program data will be handled confidentially and in accordance with privacy and research ethics requirements.
Each participant enrols individually and works one-on-one with a coach. However, if a friend or family member is eligible to take part and can attend the same site they may also participate. Many participants find that support from family and friends can be helpful when making lifestyle changes.
