In short: Cairns and Far North Queensland adults can get an ADHD assessment by telehealth with a Queensland GP — no referral, no flight to Brisbane, and no long psychiatrist waitlist. Since the December 2025 reform, trained QLD GPs can diagnose and treat adult ADHD.2 The full assessment is two video appointments, usually within about two weeks.
Can I get an ADHD assessment in Cairns?
Yes. Access to ADHD assessment has historically been hard in regional and Far North Queensland, often meaning long waits or travel to a capital city. Because our service is 100% telehealth, you can be assessed from anywhere around Cairns — the northern beaches, Edmonton, Gordonvale, or surrounding communities — without leaving home. No referral needed.
How it works
The assessment follows the standard Queensland GP pathway:
- Book online — no referral needed.
- Complete your intake at home — validated questionnaires (the ASRS), your history, and childhood information.
- Two telehealth appointments — an initial assessment and a follow-up where diagnosis is confirmed and treatment started if appropriate.
Any blood tests or ECG needed before medication are done at a local Cairns pathology centre and are usually bulk-billed. See how the assessment works.
Why telehealth works for Far North Queensland
Telehealth removes the biggest barrier for regional patients — distance. You get an experienced Queensland GP and flexible appointment times without travel or time off to reach a specialist. The diagnosis carries the same clinical and legal weight as a psychiatrist’s.
Not sure if you have ADHD?
Start with our free ADHD test (the 18-question ASRS self-assessment) to see whether your symptoms warrant a formal assessment. You can also compare your ADHD assessment options in Queensland.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral for an ADHD assessment in Cairns?
No. You can book directly with our Queensland GPs by telehealth — no referral required.
Do I have to travel to Brisbane?
No. The entire assessment is done by video from home, so there’s no travel to a capital city.
How long does it take?
Usually within about two weeks, across two video appointments. Any blood tests or ECG are done locally.
Our first appointments are typically available within two weeks. By comparison, the average wait for a first ADHD assessment appointment with a psychiatrist in Australia is around 16 weeks, and up to a year.1
1 Average wait for a first adult ADHD assessment appointment with a psychiatrist in Australia is 16 weeks, and can be up to 52 weeks. O’Toole et al., Journal of Attention Disorders, 2026. All sources
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Queensland?
Yes. Since December 2025, appropriately trained Queensland GPs can assess, diagnose and treat adult ADHD, including prescribing where appropriate.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs, serving adults across Queensland including Cairns and Far North Queensland.
References
- O’Toole C, Finlayson J, Johnstone S, Croaker K. Accessibility of ADHD Assessments in Australia: A Secret Shopper Study. Journal of Attention Disorders. 2026; 30(9):1104–1117. PubMed PMID 41742378
- Queensland Health. Prescribing psychostimulants for ADHD — expanded prescribing rights. 2025. www.health.qld.gov.au — Queensland GPs can diagnose and treat adult ADHD, including prescribing psychostimulants, under the expanded prescribing rights in force from December 2025.
Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.
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