ADHD Assessment in Queensland: Options, Costs and Wait Times Compared

In short: Since Queensland’s December 2025 reform, there are three main ways to get an adult ADHD assessment: a GP telehealth service (fastest and cheapest, no referral), a private psychiatrist (for complex cases, long waits, higher cost), or the public system (free but limited and slow).² For most straightforward adult presentations, the GP pathway is now the mainstream option. Here’s how they compare.

Side-by-side comparison

	GP telehealth (e.g. ADHD GP)	Private psychiatrist	Public system
Cost to diagnosis	Privately billed, no Medicare rebate	Varies by provider; Medicare rebate available with a GP referral	Free
Wait time	About 2 weeks	Around 16 weeks on average for a first appointment, up to a year1	Often 12+ months; limited intake
Referral needed?	No	Yes (for Medicare rebate)	Yes (GP referral)
Format	100% telehealth, QLD-wide	In person or telehealth	Usually in person
Can prescribe?	Yes (trained QLD GPs)	Yes	Yes
Best for	Straightforward adult ADHD	Complex or high-risk presentations	Severe/complex, low-income

Figures are indicative and current as at July 2026. Always confirm current fees with any provider before booking.

Option 1: GP telehealth assessment

Since 1 December 2025, appropriately trained Queensland GPs can assess, diagnose and treat adult ADHD without a psychiatrist referral. The assessment runs over two telehealth appointments using DSM-5 criteria and validated questionnaires, with baseline checks (blood pressure, sometimes an ECG or blood tests) before any medication. Most people reach a diagnosis within about two weeks. ADHD GP’s consultations are privately billed, with blood tests and ECG done externally and usually bulk-billed. This is the fastest and most affordable pathway for straightforward adult ADHD.

Option 2: Private psychiatrist

A private psychiatrist remains the right choice for complex presentations — significant trauma, possible bipolar disorder or psychosis, or where specialist input is needed. It requires a GP referral to claim a Medicare rebate, and the average wait for a first appointment is around 16 weeks, and up to a year.¹ The clinical framework (DSM-5) is the same one a trained GP uses, and a GP diagnosis carries equal clinical and legal weight in Queensland.

Option 3: Public system

Public mental health services are free but are generally reserved for severe or complex cases, require a GP referral, and usually involve long waits with limited intake for adult ADHD specifically. For many adults it is not a realistic route to a timely diagnosis.

Which option is right for you?

If you’re not yet sure ADHD is the issue, start with our free ADHD test (the 18-question ASRS self-assessment) to see whether your symptoms warrant a formal assessment. If your presentation is straightforward and you want a fast, affordable diagnosis, the GP telehealth pathway is now the mainstream choice in Queensland. If your situation is complex or high-risk, a psychiatrist is the safer route — and a good GP will refer you if that’s what’s needed. You can book a GP telehealth assessment directly, with no referral required.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to get an ADHD assessment in Queensland?

Public services are free but have long waits and limited access. Private providers set their own fees; ADHD GP’s consultations are privately billed, with no Medicare rebate.

How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment in Queensland?

Through the GP telehealth pathway, usually about two weeks. The average wait for a first ADHD assessment appointment with a psychiatrist in Australia is around 16 weeks, and up to a year,¹ and the public system is often longer.

Do I need a referral for an ADHD assessment in Queensland?

No — not for a GP telehealth assessment; you can book directly. You do need a GP referral to claim a Medicare rebate for a psychiatrist, and to access public services.

Is a GP ADHD diagnosis as valid as a psychiatrist’s?

Yes. Made against DSM-5 criteria, a trained Queensland GP’s ADHD diagnosis carries the same clinical and legal weight as a psychiatrist’s.

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Fees and wait times are indicative and change over time — confirm current details with each provider. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs, offering adult ADHD assessment across Queensland.

Related reading: How to get an ADHD assessment in Australia and Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Australia?

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

References

1. 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
2. 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.