Short answer: Partly. Since 1 September 2025, NSW GPs who have completed an approved course and hold a NSW Health General Authority can continue stimulant prescriptions for patients who have already been diagnosed and stabilised by a specialist.12 GPs cannot yet diagnose ADHD or start stimulant medication, but NSW Health has announced that trained GPs will be able to assess and diagnose from late October 2026.
The rules in New South Wales
- Continuation prescribing: GPs who complete an accepted course (RACGP, ACRRM, Medcast or Psych Scene) and obtain a Ministry of Health General Authority can continue psychostimulants for previously diagnosed, stabilised patients aged 6 and over, including minor dose adjustments and switches between formulations of the same medicine.1
- Diagnosis and initiation: not yet available through a GP.2 NSW Health has announced that from late October 2026 trained NSW GPs will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD in people aged 6 and over, with the first group of GP “endorsed prescribers” completing their training in late 2026.
- From early 2027 NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 free ADHD assessments with trained GP endorsed prescribers in selected practices.2
- Prescribers must check SafeScript NSW before prescribing a monitored medicine.3
Rules for prescribing ADHD medication, including stimulants, are set by each state and territory and have been changing quickly. The points above reflect the NSW Health position as published in October 2026 — check the linked sources for the current wording.
What this means for you
If you live in NSW and already have a diagnosis and a stable prescription from a psychiatrist or paediatrician, a trained GP can take over your ongoing scripts. If you have not been diagnosed yet, a specialist still needs to make the diagnosis and start medication until the GP initiation pathway opens.
Diagnosis and prescribing are two different permissions
In every state, diagnosing ADHD and prescribing stimulant medication are governed separately. A diagnosis is a clinical judgement against the DSM-5 criteria that any suitably skilled doctor or psychologist can make; prescribing Schedule 8 stimulants is controlled by state law, with permits, approvals, authorities or designations depending on where you live, and every prescription is recorded in the state’s real-time prescription monitoring system (SafeScript NSW in New South Wales). Read more in who can diagnose ADHD in Australia.
Can I see ADHD GP from New South Wales?
Not yet. We currently see patients in Queensland only, and we’re working on opening in other states.
Frequently asked questions
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in NSW?
Not yet. NSW Health has announced that trained GPs will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD in people aged 6 and over from late October 2026. Until then a psychiatrist or paediatrician makes the diagnosis.
Can a GP continue my ADHD medication in NSW?
Yes, if the GP has completed an approved course and holds a NSW Health General Authority, and you were diagnosed and stabilised on treatment by a specialist.
Are there free ADHD assessments in NSW?
NSW Health has announced that from early 2027 it will fund up to 2,500 free ADHD assessments with trained GP endorsed prescribers in selected practices.
Next steps
Compare the rules in every state in can a GP diagnose ADHD in Australia, read how much an ADHD diagnosis costs, or start with the free ADHD self-assessment.
This article is general information only and is not medical or legal advice. State prescribing rules change; the official sources linked in the references are the authority. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs. We currently see patients in Queensland.
References
- 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.
- 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.
- NSW Health. About SafeScript NSW. 2026. www.health.nsw.gov.au — NSW real-time prescription monitoring system for monitored medicines.
Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.
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