Australia Reforms ADHD Care, Allowing GP Diagnosis
Two Australian territories, ACT and New South Wales, are rolling out reforms to improve access to ADHD care. The changes will allow general practitioners with specialized training to diagnose ADHD, a move praised by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners as a way to reduce diagnostic bottlenecks.
- Prior to these reforms, ADHD diagnosis and the initial prescription of stimulant medication were generally restricted to specialists such as psychiatrists and paediatricians. This model contributed to significant barriers, including initial consultation costs ranging from $600 to over $2,000 and wait times that could extend for months or even years. - The changes in New South Wales are being implemented in stages; the first phase, which began in September 2025, allowed trained GPs to issue repeat prescriptions for stable patients. The second phase, with training starting in March 2026, will permit GPs with further specialized training to diagnose the condition and initiate medication for patients aged six and older. - In NSW, nearly 600 general practitioners have expressed interest in the diagnostic and treatment training, with priority given to those in rural, regional, and remote areas to address geographical care disparities. More than 800 GPs in the state are already trained to handle the continuation of prescriptions. - The ACT's reforms also follow a phased rollout, first enabling trained GPs to manage ongoing prescriptions for stable patients who already have a specialist diagnosis. A second stage planned for later in 2026 will authorize trained GPs to conduct initial diagnoses and start medication for non-complex cases. - These territory-level reforms follow a 2023 national Senate inquiry into ADHD which received over 700 submissions and produced 15 recommendations to improve care. Key recommendations included creating a national framework and establishing uniform prescribing rules across the country. - The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has urged caution, stating that while access is important, reforms must not prioritize speed over safety. They warn that without comprehensive specialist assessments, co-occurring conditions like mood disorders, trauma, or autism can be missed. - Other Australian states are pursuing similar initiatives. Victoria is funding training for an initial 150 GPs, while Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania are also in the process of rolling out programs to expand the role of GPs in ADHD care.
