Australian researchers have printed out saliva-based glucose tests for diabetics that in two to three years might replace finger-prick blood tests.

A new saliva-based glucose test created by Australian researchers using a common printer could mean the end of finger-prick blood tests for diabetics.

The stamp-size strip that a patient would put in their mouth to check the glucose concentration in their saliva could cost as little as one cent each, says Paul Dastoor from the University of Newcastle, who has been working on the project for eight years.

"The exciting prospect is that in the future we might have a test for diabetes that doesn't involve stabbing yourself four to six times a day," he says.

Professor Dastoor believes there's potential for these sensors to be available to the public within two to three years, depending on how fast the research team at the University's Centre of Organic Electronics can get the technology commercialised.

"Imagine being able to have your own ink at home, allowing you to print your own glucose test."

The paint, or ink, used in the tests has semiconducting particles, meaning electronic designs can be downloaded and printed from an inkjet printer.

After mixing in an enzyme, it will detect the presence and level of glucose when a diabetic places a sample of his/her saliva on the test.

"We've got inkjet printing facilities and large reel-to-reel printing facilities, so we really have the prospect potentially for printing out metres and metres of the sensors very quickly and at very low cost.

"Longer term, one of the other things we're working on is being able to connect the printed sensor to a wireless coil so you could read it out on your mobile phone."

Diabetes is predicted to become the most common disease in Australia by 2023, ahead of cancer and heart disease.