How to Find an ADHD GP in Australia

Finding an ADHD GP starts with one question: what do you need the GP to do? Assessment, starting treatment and ongoing care are different services, and the same GP may not offer all of them. Check the GP’s scope, your state rules, appointment format, fees and availability before you book.

What type of ADHD care do you need?

Start by separating the service you need into one of three stages: a new assessment, treatment after diagnosis, or ongoing care. This matters because a GP who provides repeat prescriptions may not offer new ADHD assessments, while a GP who assesses ADHD may have different requirements for treatment and follow-up.

“Patients need ongoing support for complex conditions like ADHD,” says Dr Ramya Raman, RACGP Vice President and WA Chair. When comparing GPs, check what happens after the assessment as well as what happens during it.

You are looking for a new ADHD assessment

Ask whether the GP assesses people in your age group and whether they accept people without an existing diagnosis. Adult and child assessments require different experience, information and observer input.

An ADHD diagnosis requires a clinical assessment. The Australian ADHD Clinical Practice Guideline says an assessment should cover the person’s symptoms and strengths, functional impact, developmental history, mental health, medical history and possible co-occurring conditions. Observer information may also be used. A questionnaire can support this process, but a rating scale alone is not enough to diagnose ADHD.

Read how an ADHD assessment works from start to finish before comparing providers.

You already have a diagnosis and need treatment or ongoing care

Tell the GP when and where you were diagnosed, who made the diagnosis, and whether you have a written report or treatment plan. Ask whether the GP starts treatment, provides ongoing medication management, or both.

The legal and administrative requirements for ADHD medication differ between states and territories. They can also differ according to your age, whether treatment has already started and the authority held by the GP. Check the current GP prescribing rules for every Australian state and territory before you pay for an appointment.

Do not start, stop or change prescribed medication while arranging a new GP. Speak with your current treating clinician about transferring your care safely.

ABOUT MY SPECIALIST GP

Your GP can now assess ADHD. We made the getting-there part easier.

We explain how ADHD assessment works in Australia, and connect you with independent GPs who assess and treat it.

Find and book a GP. Browse independent GPs who assess ADHD, by state, and book on the GP’s own profile page.
Get the GP-Ready ADHD Dossier. Questionnaires, an observer report, your history and your documents, organised into one file for your GP.

TWO WAYS TO START

Start wherever you are.

Book with a listed GP, or prepare your file first and take it to any GP you choose.

Find and book a GP

Get the GP-Ready ADHD Dossier

My Specialist GP is an education and connection platform. We are not a clinic and we do not diagnose or prescribe; the independent GPs listed here do.

How do you check whether an ADHD GP is a good match?

A useful GP profile should tell you where the doctor practises, whether telehealth is available, which patients they see and how to book. Treat the profile as a starting point, then confirm anything that affects your appointment directly with the GP or practice.

Check these details:

Does the GP assess adults, children or both?
Do they accept new assessments, ongoing care, or both?
Are they taking new patients now?
Is the appointment offered by telehealth, in person, or either?
Can they provide the service to a patient living in your state or territory?
What records do they need before deciding whether they can accept your care?

You can also check the doctor’s registration on the Ahpra Register of practitioners. The register shows whether a health practitioner is registered and their current registration status. MySpecialistGP checks the listed GPs, but the public Ahpra register remains the source of truth for registration.

Does telehealth change which GP you can see?

Telehealth can widen your choice of clinicians, but it does not remove state and territory requirements. The Medical Board of Australia tells doctors to comply with the relevant medicine and prescribing laws and to arrange an in-person assessment when telehealth alone is not clinically appropriate.

Before booking an interstate telehealth appointment, ask whether the GP can provide the service to someone living in your state. If medication may form part of your care, ask the GP to explain how prescribing and dispensing would work where you live.

What should you ask before booking?

Ask practical questions before paying a deposit or booking a long appointment. A clear answer now can prevent you from paying for a consultation that does not match what you need.

Questions about the service

Do you offer a new ADHD assessment for someone my age?
If I am diagnosed, do you discuss all suitable treatment options?
Can you start ADHD medication when it is clinically appropriate, or do you provide ongoing care only?
Do you accept an existing diagnosis from my current clinician?
When would you refer to a psychiatrist, paediatrician, psychologist or another clinician?
How is follow-up care arranged after the assessment?

Questions about the appointment

Is the appointment by telehealth, in person, or a mix of both?
How many appointments are usually involved, and what does each appointment cover?
What forms, reports or medical records must be supplied beforehand?
Can an observer provide information separately?
What happens if the GP decides that another clinician should be involved?

Questions about fees

What is the total fee for the assessment process?
Which parts are charged separately?
Is a Medicare rebate available for any appointment?
What will the estimated out-of-pocket cost be?
What are the deposit, cancellation and rescheduling terms?

There is no single fee that covers every Australian ADHD assessment. Ask for the full pathway cost, not only the price of the first appointment. Our guide to Medicare rebates for ADHD appointments explains the difference between the provider’s fee, the Medicare rebate and your out-of-pocket cost.

What should you prepare for your first appointment?

Bring information that helps the GP understand your history and how the difficulties affect daily life. You do not need to prove that you have ADHD. Your job is to report your experience accurately. The clinician’s job is to assess it.

The Australian ADHD Clinical Practice Guideline supports gathering information from interviews, questionnaires, medical history and other people who know the patient well. Depending on your age and circumstances, useful material may include:

examples of current difficulties at home, work, study or in relationships
childhood school reports or other records, if they are available
previous psychological, psychiatric, paediatric or medical reports
a current medication list and relevant medical history
notes about sleep, mental health and other health concerns
information from a parent, partner, teacher or another observer
questions you want answered during the appointment

Missing childhood records do not mean you should abandon the process. Tell the GP what is available and ask what other information they can consider.

If you book an assessment with a GP listed on MySpecialistGP, this preparation is already included in the assessment process. The intake collects your questionnaires, observer information, history and supporting documents before the appointment. You do not need to buy the GP-Ready ADHD Pack separately.

The GP-Ready ADHD Pack is for people taking their preparation to their own GP, psychiatrist, paediatrician or psychologist. It organises the same types of information into one file. It does not diagnose ADHD or guarantee that a clinician will accept the information as sufficient for an assessment.

For a more detailed list, read how to prepare for your first ADHD assessment with a GP.

What if no suitable ADHD GP is available?

Use the state filter on Find a GP to see the independent GPs currently listed by MySpecialistGP. If nobody suitable is taking bookings in your state, use the form on that page to join the state waitlist. The waitlist sends an update when a listed GP opens bookings. It is not a booking and does not guarantee that a GP will become available.

You can also ask your usual GP whether they assess ADHD, provide ongoing care, or can refer you to an appropriate clinician. Bring the specific questions from this article. A clear request is easier to act on than asking whether the practice “does ADHD”.

If you want to use a clinician outside MySpecialistGP, check their registration through Ahpra and confirm their services directly. MySpecialistGP is an education and connection platform, not a clinic. The GPs listed on the site are independent practitioners who decide which patients and services they can accept.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Australia?

Some Australian GPs provide ADHD assessment and diagnosis when it is within their training, competence and clinical scope. Ask whether the GP assesses your age group and whether they can also provide the treatment or ongoing care you may need.

Do I need a psychiatrist referral before seeing an ADHD GP?

A psychiatrist referral is not required for every GP appointment or every ADHD pathway. The answer depends on the service you need, your age, your state or territory and the GP’s scope. Confirm the referral requirements before booking.

Can an ADHD assessment be completed by telehealth?

Some clinicians provide ADHD assessments by telehealth. A doctor may still require an in-person appointment or physical examination when telehealth alone is not appropriate. Ask how the clinician structures the assessment before booking.

How much does an ADHD GP assessment cost?

There is no standard national price for an ADHD GP assessment. Ask for the total provider fee, what is included, any separate follow-up fees, the expected Medicare rebate and the estimated out-of-pocket cost.

How can I check whether an ADHD GP is registered?

Search the doctor’s name or registration number on the Ahpra Register of practitioners. It shows their current registration status and other public registration details.

What should I do if no ADHD GP is available in my state?

Check the current MySpecialistGP directory and use its state waitlist if no suitable GP is listed. You can also ask your usual GP about assessment, ongoing care or referral options while you wait.

Your next step

Decide whether you need a new assessment, treatment after diagnosis or ongoing care. Then browse the current ADHD GP listings, choose your state and check the GP’s profile before booking. If no suitable GP is listed, join the state waitlist on the same page.

This article provides general health information. It is not personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with a GP or another qualified health professional about advice for your circumstances. Read the MySpecialistGP Medical Disclaimer.

General health information

This article is general health information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified health professional before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan.

MySpecialistGP is a health information and GP directory service operated by Webbed Feet Pty Ltd. Read our Medical Disclaimer.