Frequently asked questions for consumers
Key points
- From 1 September 2025, if you’re aged 6 years or older with an ADHD diagnosis and stable on medication, your GP may be able to provide repeat prescriptions if they are an authorised continuation prescriber.
- You must have an initial diagnosis of ADHD from a specialist such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician and be stable on medication before your GP can take over ongoing prescriptions.
- You can discuss these changes with your regular GP.
- You can use our interactive map to find a GP who is an ADHD prescriber in NSW.
On this page:
Seeking a new assessment for ADHD
What are the new ADHD assessment services within general practice?
From early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 ADHD assessments by GPs who are trained to diagnose and treat ADHD (GP endorsed prescribers) in selected general practices. Once appointments become available in early 2027, patients can speak with their regular GP who will discuss with the practice offering this service, to ensure it’s the right approach, and then make a referral for a booking. There will be no out of pocket costs (gap payments) for patients.
When will the ADHD assessment services within general practice be available?
From early 2027.
How can I access the ADHD assessment services within general practice?
Once appointments become available in early 2027, patients can speak with their regular GP who will discuss with the GP practice offering this free service, to ensure it’s the right approach.
People who are experiencing financial stress or children who are in their years of early school and will benefit most, will be prioritised.
Who can access and diagnose ADHD?
ADHD has traditionally been diagnosed by paediatricians or psychiatrists. If you need psychostimulant medicine, this is usually initially prescribed by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
More recently, GP specialists are training to be more involved in ADHD care. Over 300 GPs are undergoing training to assess, diagnose and start management for ADHD (GP endorsed prescribers). GP endorsed prescribers are expected to finish training from September 2026.
Will I still see a non-GP specialist doctor as well as a GP for management of ADHD?
The changes will expand the role of GPs in managing the care of people with ADHD. For ongoing review and prescription of psychostimulant medicines, people aged 6 years and older with an established diagnosis of ADHD who are stable on their medicine may either:
- visit their GP who is a continuation prescriber
- continue to see a non-GP specialist doctor, such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
If your GP is providing your ongoing prescriptions, they might still refer you to a non-GP specialist doctor for review. This may be because they have concerns about the management of your condition, as happens for a range of health issues. Your GP may also consider that a shared-care arrangement with regular review by a non-GP specialist doctor is best in your situation.
What is the next stage of the planned changes?
The next stage of the ADHD reforms will include training and support of some GPs in priority areas (‘endorsed prescribers’) to make an assessment to diagnose ADHD and commence psychostimulant medicines, where appropriate.
Since mid-March, about 300 GPs have begun endorsed prescriber training. This training is expected to be completed from September to October 2026.
Previously diagnosed ADHD
What does continuation prescribing mean for people already diagnosed with ADHD?
To access continuation prescribing:
- you will need to have a regular GP or GP practice
- your GP will need to be an authorised ‘continuation prescriber’
- you must have an established diagnosis of ADHD
- you must be stable on medication before your GP can take over the ongoing prescription of medicines
- you must be aged 6 years and older.
A ‘continuation prescriber’ refers to a GP who has the authority to prescribe psychostimulant medicines to eligible people.
It is important that you also have an in-person review every 6 to 12 months with your GP or non-GP specialist who is prescribing your medicines.
How can I find a continuation prescriber?
You can discuss this with your regular GP, or staff at the general practice you attend. It's best to receive all your care with one GP, if you can.
You can also search for practices where a continuation prescriber works, by suburb or postcode on our interactive map, or by postcode on healthdirect’s service finder.
If you are having difficulty locating a practice, please contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222, where a team member can assist you.
Please note that not all participating GPs have provided their consent to list this service on healthdirect.
Will all GPs be able to prescribe ADHD medicines?
GPs who have an authority as a continuation prescriber will be able to prescribe psychostimulant medicines for people aged 6 years and older who already have a diagnosis of ADHD and who are stable on their medicine. The application process is open to all GPs who meet the requirements, but not all GPs will apply.
From September 2026, a smaller number of GPs who are trained to be endorsed prescribers will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD and commence psychostimulant medicines.
In some cases, GPs may also participate in ‘co-management’. This is a shared care arrangement where your GP provides regular management of your condition, and a non-GP specialist has continued involvement. The non-GP specialist could be a psychiatrist, paediatrician or neurologist. These arrangements are not changing as part of the reform. Your GP may consider that an ongoing shared care arrangement with non-GP specialist review is best in your situation.
General questions about ADHD and the new reforms
How is ADHD treated?
Multiple forms of treatment are recommended for ADHD in children and adults. A combination of psychological therapies and medication is likely to work better than either alone.
What ADHD medicines are covered under these new processes?
There are different types of medicines used in the treatment of ADHD. Some of these medicines are called psychostimulant medicines and are subject to strict prescribing controls.
GPs who are authorised continuation prescribers will be able to prescribe all medications used to treat ADHD, including psychostimulant medicines.
Psychostimulant medicines include:
- Dexamfetamine, e.g. Aspen dexamfetamine®
- Lisdexamfetamine, e.g. Vyvanse®
- Methylphenidate, e.g. Artige®, Ritalin®, Ritalin LA®, Rubifen LA®, Concerta SR®
There are other non-stimulant medications used in the treatment of ADHD, including atomoxetine (APO-Atomoxetine®), guanfacine (Intuniv®) and clonidine (Catapres®).
How much will the GP consultation cost?
GPs will continue to charge for consultations according to their usual practice. The costs of an appointment depend on a range of factors including the length of the consultation and the number of issues that are covered.
How long will the prescription from a GP be valid?
Prescriptions for psychostimulant medicines from a GP will be valid for up to 6 months from the date of prescription. This is the same as prescriptions for psychostimulant medicines from non-GP specialist doctors.
It is important that you also have an in-person review every 6 months with your GP or non-GP specialist doctor who is prescribing your medicines, or more frequently if recommended by your care provider.
From early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 ADHD assessments by GPs who are trained to diagnose and treat ADHD (GP endorsed prescribers) in selected general practices. Once appointments become available in early 2027, patients can speak with their regular GP who will discuss with the practice offering this service, to ensure it’s the right approach, and then make a referral for a booking. There will be no out of pocket costs (gap payments) for patients.
Will the medications prescribed by my GP be eligible for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme?
Yes. If the medicine type and reason for the prescription fulfill the criteria of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), your GP can prescribe these medicines in the same way that a non-GP specialist doctor does.