Around 1 in every 20 Australians has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While ADHD is more common in boys, it’s under diagnosed in girls and adults. Interestingly, more than 3 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD still have symptoms as an adult.
The number of states planning or implementing ADHD diagnosis and prescribing in general practice is growing. At the time of writing South Australia (SA) is the latest state to announce that next year GPs will be able to take up training to allow them to diagnose and treat ADHD in children and adults. This builds on SA’s decision in 2023 to have ADHD shared care programs for GPs which was focussed on adolescents moving into adult care.
In May 2025, the NSW Government announced changes which allowed GPs to prescribe ADHD medications for patients already on stable treatment. The second tier of the strategy involves a smaller group of GPs, around 1000, being trained to diagnose and initiate treatment.
The Western Australian government declared in early 2025 that they would institute a similar scheme to SA and NSW and it’s a promise by both major parties in the Tasmanian state election. The ACT is yet to make an announcement (again at the time of writing) despite it being an election promise last year.
Queensland GPs are already able to initiate stimulants for children and prescribe for those already on treatment. To assist the safe and effective implementation, there has been a focus on shared care with non-GP specialists, for example a recently announced collaboration across Brisbane’s six public paediatric hospitals.
The Federal Government has said it would like a consistent nationally but there are still variations, with Victoria allowing repeat prescriptions but in a more restrictive framework than SA, NSW and QLD.
The catches here for GPs undergoing training in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, is that a thorough assessment of a child takes a lot of time and effort involving parents, carers and schools. It’s much more than just administering a Conners Rating Scale. The question will be how remuneration will match the time spent and the teamwork required.
Further information
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD: https://mydr.com.au/mental-health/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
A new, collaborative approach to paediatric ADHD: https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/a-new,-collaborative-approach-to-paediatric-adhd
