Can a GP Diagnose ADHD in Australia? (2026 State-by-State Guide)

Short answer: It depends on your state. In Queensland, GPs with specialist registration in general practice have been able to diagnose adult ADHD and start medication without a psychiatrist since 1 December 2025.² Trained GPs in Western Australia and South Australia can now do the same.³⁴ In New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, GP diagnosis has been announced but isn’t in place yet, and in the Northern Territory, only specialists can start stimulant medication.⁵ A diagnosis made by a GP against the DSM-5 criteria is a valid diagnosis.

The rules in each state and territory

Who can diagnose ADHD — and, separately, who can start stimulant medication — is set by each state and territory. As of October 2026:

State or territory	Can a GP diagnose and start stimulant medication?	Can a GP continue it once started?
Queensland	Yes — GPs with specialist registration in general practice, for adults, since 1 December 20252	Yes
Western Australia	Yes — GPs designated by the Department of Health after approved training, for patients aged 10 and over3	Yes, under shared care with the stimulant prescriber6
South Australia	Yes — trained GPs, for adults and children aged 8 and over, since 28 February 20264	Yes
New South Wales	Not yet — announced for trained GPs from late October 20267	Yes — trained GPs with a NSW Health General Authority, since 1 September 20258
Victoria	Not yet — a GP training program has been announced, with no start date9	Yes — under a Schedule 8 permit, which generally needs a specialist diagnosis and review10
Australian Capital Territory	Not yet — planned for later in 202611	Yes — trained GPs, for stable patients diagnosed by a specialist, since 11 February 2026
Tasmania	Reform announced in May 2026 for trained GPs12 — check Department of Health Tasmania for the current position	Yes — with a Department of Health authority after a specialist diagnosis13
Northern Territory	No — only paediatricians, psychiatrists, physicians and neurologists can start stimulant medication5	Yes — with specialist review at least every two years

These rules have changed quickly over the past year, and the official pages linked in the references are the authority. For more detail, see the guides for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Queensland?

Yes. Since 1 December 2025, Queensland GPs with specialist registration in general practice (vocationally registered GPs) can diagnose adult ADHD and initiate, adjust and continue stimulant medication up to the maximum daily dose, without a Queensland Health approval.² GPs without specialist registration still need a Queensland Health prescribing approval and a supporting psychiatrist.¹⁴ You don’t need a referral to see a GP, and you don’t need to see a psychiatrist first for a straightforward presentation.

The diagnosis is made against the DSM-5 criteria — the same framework psychiatrists use — supported by validated questionnaires (such as the ASRS), your personal and developmental history, and collateral information.

Diagnose vs prescribe: what’s the difference?

These are two separate things. A diagnosis is a clinical judgement against the DSM-5 criteria. Prescribing stimulant medicines is controlled by state law, because they are Schedule 8 medicines with special rules to reduce the risk of misuse or dependence.¹⁵ Depending on the state, a prescriber may need a permit, an approval, an authority or a designation, and every state and territory has a real-time prescription monitoring system — such as QScript in Queensland¹⁶ — that prescribers check before prescribing.

That’s why, in some states, a GP can make a diagnosis but a specialist still needs to be involved before stimulant medication can start.

Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD?

Yes. Psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD, and GPs often refer to a psychologist, psychiatrist or paediatrician for assessment.¹⁷ Psychologists can’t prescribe medication, though, so if medication is being considered, a doctor who can prescribe under your state’s rules needs to be satisfied of the diagnosis. In Victoria, for example, a GP is generally only issued a permit to prescribe stimulants where there is evidence of a specialist diagnosis.¹⁰

When do you still need a psychiatrist?

The GP pathway is designed for straightforward adult ADHD. A psychiatrist referral is still the right route when the picture is more complex, for example:

• A significant history of trauma, bipolar disorder, psychosis or complex mental health conditions
• A need for medication doses above the limits GPs are authorised to prescribe
• Diagnostic uncertainty where specialist assessment is warranted

A good GP will recognise these situations and refer appropriately, so you get the right level of care.

How the GP diagnosis pathway works

The process is typically two appointments: an initial assessment that reviews your symptoms, history and screening questionnaires, and a follow-up that confirms the diagnosis and starts treatment where appropriate. Baseline checks (such as blood pressure, and sometimes an ECG or blood tests) are done before stimulant medication is prescribed. Most people go from first appointment to diagnosis within a couple of weeks.

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

Frequently asked questions

Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Australia?

It depends on your state. In Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, GPs who meet their state’s requirements can diagnose adult ADHD and start medication. In New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, GP diagnosis has been announced but isn’t in place yet, and in the Northern Territory only specialists can start stimulant medication.

Is a GP ADHD diagnosis valid?

Yes — a diagnosis made against the DSM-5 criteria is a valid diagnosis whoever makes it. What differs between states is whether a GP’s diagnosis is enough to start stimulant medication; in some states the prescribing rules require a specialist.

Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD?

Yes. Psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD, but they can’t prescribe medication.

Do I need a referral to see a GP about ADHD?

No. You can book directly with a GP, including by telehealth — no referral is required.

Can a GP prescribe ADHD medication after diagnosis?

In Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, GPs who meet the state’s requirements can start and continue ADHD medication. In New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, GPs can continue medication that a specialist has started, under each state’s permit or approval rules.

This article is general information only and is not medical or legal advice. Prescribing rules differ between states and change over time — the official sources in the references are the authority. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs, offering adult ADHD assessment in Queensland.

Next steps

If ADHD might be affecting you, our GPs offer telehealth assessments for adults in Queensland — no referral needed — and we’re working on opening in other states. Book an assessment, see how it works, or read how much an ADHD diagnosis costs.

Related reading: How to get diagnosed with ADHD in Australia and ADHD medication in Australia.

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. Fact sheet: prescribing psychostimulants for ADHD. 2025. www.health.qld.gov.au — All specialist GPs can initiate, modify and continue psychostimulants for adults with ADHD; no Queensland Health approval needed up to the maximum daily dose.
3. WA Department of Health. ADHD diagnosis and treatment through general practitioners. 2026. www.health.wa.gov.au — WA GPs who complete the approved training and are designated by the Department can assess, diagnose and initiate stimulant treatment for patients aged 10 and over, initially for up to 50 patients each.
4. SA Health. Access ADHD care through a GP. 2026. www.sahealth.sa.gov.au — From 28 February 2026, specially trained South Australian GPs can assess, diagnose, treat and prescribe medication for ADHD in children aged 8 and over and adults, without a psychiatrist or paediatrician referral.
5. NT Health. Medical practitioners — Schedule 8 medicines. 2025. health.nt.gov.au — In the Northern Territory only paediatricians, psychiatrists, physicians, neurologists and their registrars may initiate ADHD stimulants; other doctors may continue treatment with specialist review at least every two years.
6. WA Department of Health. Stimulant medicines. 2026. www.health.wa.gov.au — In WA, stimulants for ADHD are initiated by authorised stimulant prescribers; other doctors may continue treatment under shared care on written instructions from the stimulant prescriber.
7. NSW Health. ADHD in NSW — reforms to assessment and treatment. 2026. www.health.nsw.gov.au — From late October 2026 trained NSW GPs will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD in people aged 6 and over; from early 2027 NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 free GP ADHD assessments in selected practices.
8. NSW Health. ADHD management — GP prescribing of psychostimulants. 2026. www.health.nsw.gov.au — From 1 September 2025, trained NSW GPs holding a General Authority can continue psychostimulant prescriptions for previously diagnosed, stabilised patients.
9. Victorian Department of Health. ADHD care in general practice. 2026. www.health.vic.gov.au — Victoria has announced a program training selected GPs to diagnose and initiate ADHD treatment, pending regulatory changes; no start date has been set.
10. Victorian Department of Health. Stimulants for ADHD or narcolepsy — permit requirements. 2026. www.health.vic.gov.au — Victorian GPs are generally only issued a Schedule 8 permit to prescribe stimulants where there is evidence of a specialist diagnosis and a recent specialist review.
11. ACT Government. Prescribing stimulants for ADHD. 2026. www.act.gov.au — From 11 February 2026, trained ACT GPs can continue stimulants for stable, specialist-diagnosed patients under a standing Chief Health Officer approval; GP diagnosis and initiation is planned for later in 2026.
12. Tasmanian Government. Delivering high-quality ADHD care through general practice (29 May 2026). 2026. www.premier.tas.gov.au — Tasmania announced that trained GPs may apply to initiate Schedule 8 ADHD medication for patients they diagnose; until then GPs could not assess, diagnose or initiate medication.
13. Department of Health Tasmania. Seeking authorisation to prescribe Schedule 8 psychostimulants in Tasmania (December 2023). 2023. www.health.tas.gov.au — Tasmanian prescribers need an authority for each patient; GPs were authorised only where a relevant medical specialist had assessed and diagnosed the patient.
14. 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.
15. healthdirect (Australian Government). Scheduling of medicines and poisons. 2025. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Schedule 8 medicines have special rules to reduce the risk of misuse or dependence.
16. Queensland Health. About QScript (real-time prescription monitoring). 2026. www.health.qld.gov.au — Queensland prescribers must check QScript before prescribing monitored medicines such as psychostimulants.
17. Queensland Government. ADHD — conditions and treatments. 2025. www.qld.gov.au — From 1 December 2025 specialist GPs in Queensland can prescribe ADHD medication for adults and children; a doctor who cannot diagnose ADHD may refer to a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist.

Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.