Getting an ADHD diagnosis may become easier, but will it make things better?

GPs around Australia are being trained to make an ADHD diagnosis and prescribe medications.

The demand for ADHD services has pushed state and federal governments to increase access to diagnosis and care in response to rising rates of late-stage diagnoses in adults.

But changes to the process of getting diagnosed for ADHD depends on where you live.

Here's what to know about why it's changing, how it will work, and what the process currently looks like in each state and territory.

What's the reason for changing how ADHD is diagnosed?

For decades, the focus on ADHD was on children but in recent years, adults have increasingly become aware that they may have the condition too.

Soaring rates of ADHD medication prescribing suggest that many thousands of Australian adults are receiving the diagnosis each year.

For example, the annual government expenditure on two of the more popular stimulants — methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine, better known by their brand names of Ritalin, Concerta and Vyvanse — has risen from $60 million in 2019–2020 to $223 million in 2025–2026.

Recently published research though suggests this comes at significant personal cost and lengthy waiting times to see psychiatrists and psychologists face to face.

Four Corners wants to hear about your experiences being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Share your story here.

A group from the University of Wollongong performed what's called a Secret Shopper study, where researchers pretended to be people wanting to see a psychiatrist, paediatrician or psychologist for themselves or their supposed children.

They called up a clinic or a practice to find out if they did ADHD assessments, what the costs were and how soon they or their hypothetical kids could be seen. What they found was that the most common reason for clinicians being unavailable was that their books were closed for new referrals and that when they could see someone, the total costs for adults could be well over $1,000, with waiting times of around 10 weeks on average.

What the study did not include was the growing number of telehealth-only clinics where psychiatrists will consult with you purely online, make the diagnosis and either give you an electronic prescription directly or in some cases, refer you back to your GP with a letter that puts the onus on them to write out the script. Such clinics can charge well over $900 for an initial consultation. Medicare statistics show that there has been a rapid rise in claims for such virtual assessments.

The landscape is changing though, with GPs being trained to diagnose, treat and provide continuity of care to people with ADHD.

How are GPs able to diagnose ADHD now?

There are two ways this can now happen, although it does vary between states.

GPs can elect — usually with training — to be "continuation" prescribers, meaning they can issue repeat prescriptions to people diagnosed and initially prescribed by a psychiatrist and sometimes alter the dose.

New arrangements allow GPs to go through a training program that allows them to make the initial diagnosis and prescribe medication.

However, Queensland GPs are now allowed to do this without doing any extra training.

Why all the fuss about GPs and ADHD?

GPs already look after people with the full range of mental health issues, although they will often refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist, especially when the person has complex needs such as with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

The reason ADHD is different is because of the medications. The most effective drugs for ADHD are stimulants such as dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate, which are controlled substances because of the risk of abuse and diversion.

While the changes are about improving access, they are not without issues, either.

The problems are that the numbers of trained GPs will be very small to begin with and there is no clear idea of how much their assessments will cost.

That's because current Medicare item numbers for GPs are unlikely to remunerate them adequately for the time and effort expended, and this could lead them to charge a substantial co-payment.

In addition, many GPs are now operating in bulk-billed-only clinics that could lose that lucrative status (because of government inducements) if they were to charge out-of-pocket fees.

That means for the time being, people will continue to rely on the widely accessible — but often expensive — telehealth services.

Will this make a difference for people with ADHD?

Given there are about 30,000 full-time-equivalent GPs in Australia, the current plans (see numbers below) will likely not make a big difference to access and the costs patients may carry.

Dr Tim Senior is a general practitioner who works in a community-controlled Aboriginal Medical Service.

"It's easier for me because I'm salaried and don't rely on fee for service," he says.

"What I've noticed though, is that mainstream GPs in the area where I work — where ADHD rates are high because of disadvantage — are reluctant to take on ADHD because they fear being swamped with work, which could seriously impact practice viability."

Can my GP diagnose or manage ADHD?

It depends on where you live. Here's the current state of play around the country:

NSW (and similarly for ACT): GPs who have completed training can become "continuation" prescribers. There is now also training available for GPs to be able to diagnose and treat kids from age 6 as well as adults. The NSW government says around 600 GPs have expressed their interest in the training.

Victoria: GPs can currently prescribe stimulants, but they need authorisation from the psychiatrist who made the diagnosis and then a government permit. There is also funding for 150 GPs to be trained in initial diagnosis and treatment. Victoria has also announced what's effectively a stopgap measure to allow people with a diagnosis who can't secure an appointment in time with their usual clinician to receive repeat prescriptions from the state's Virtual ED.

Queensland: All GPs are allowed to diagnose and care for people with ADHD with no extra training requirements.

South Australia: There is funding for 100 GPs to go through training. Prescribing is restricted to children eight years and older.

Western Australia: Restricted to 10 years and older. An initial cohort of 65 GPs is planned to go through training, with priority given to those practising in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, rural and remote and outer metropolitan settings and serving disadvantaged communities.

Tasmania: Has committed to enabling GPs to diagnose, treat and manage ADHD for both children and adults.

Northern Territory: Does not appear to have anything in place in relation to GPs and ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

Share your experiences

Four Corners is investigating the rise in adult ADHD diagnoses, issues with medication and treatment, and the prevalence of telehealth providers.

If you have been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, or are in the process of being diagnosed, we want to hear about your experiences.

Use the form below and a member of the Four Corners team may be in touch about an upcoming story.