Fingal Bay's Jane Reid, a type 1 diabetic for 50 of her 65 years, was last Wednesday fitted with the Medtronic mini med system at the Action Diabetes clinic in Nelson Bay.

"This is a huge step forward and will make life a lot easier in the future," said Mrs Reid, who was first diagnosed as a diabetic at age 15 after almost dying from her undiagnosed condition.

"It has many pleasing qualities and it is no more expensive than other pumps . . . my only message to other diabetics is they must still be prepared to do the work [monitor the pump] eight to 10 times a day."

A four-year-old Perth child was the first in the world to receive the pump - just hours before Mrs Reid started therapy using the new automated system.

The Port's renowned diabetes educator and carer, Annabel Thurlow, described the device as a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes.

"For the first time, those living with diabetes will have access to a system that intuitively and independently keeps insulin levels steady," Ms Thurlow said. "The pump can predict low glucose levels, stop insulin delivery, and then resume insulin delivery at the appropriate time aiding in the prevention of hypoglycaemia which can cause death."

On average, an Australian is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every four hours, with Australia experiencing one of the highest rates of new type 1 diabetes cases per capita in the world.

The device would help Mrs Reid live a better life, Ms Thurlow said.