Since Queensland‘s December 2025 reform, GP-led ADHD assessment is no longer a workaround. It is the mainstream pathway. Several GP telehealth services are now operating in Queensland for adult ADHD assessment. This post compares the key things to look at: pricing, fee transparency, process, and what you need to do before your first appointment.
Quick links
- Side-by-side comparison
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: what to look for
- myspecialistgp.com.au: how it works
- Private psychiatrist: for comparison
The GP telehealth services operating in Queensland all follow a broadly similar two-appointment structure and require no referral. The differences come down to fee transparency, what happens between appointments, and whether in-person is available. A private psychiatrist is included for cost and wait-time context, since that was the only option before December 2025.
“Less Queenslanders will need to wait on specialist waitlists.”
Queensland Government media release, 14 November 2025, announcing the GP ADHD prescribing reform
Side-by-side comparison
Assessment cost
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: Varies: check each provider’s website for current fees
- myspecialistgp.com.au: Each doctor has their own pricing and charge individually. An ECG is required for some patients . Blood tests may be required before appointment 2 and are billed separately via pathology. Medicare rebates may apply depending on your situation.
- Private psychiatrist: $1,200 to $2,600+ out-of-pocket
Fee transparency
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: Varies: some publish full fees before rebates, not the max out-of-pocket figure
- myspecialistgp.com.au: Maximum out-of-pocket published upfront; no surprises at the time of booking
- Private psychiatrist: Varies by provider
Wait time
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: Varies: check each provider’s website directly
- myspecialistgp.com.au: One to two weeks. Contact the practice via the booking form for current availability
- Private psychiatrist: Typically 2–18 months
In-person option
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: Typically in person only, telehealth may be an option
- myspecialistgp.com.au: Yes: telehealth QLD-wide, plus in-person in Agnes Water
- Private psychiatrist: Usually yes
Pre-appointment intake
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: PDF or online and medical history
- myspecialistgp.com.au: Structured digital intake completed at home before your appointment: validated questionnaires, personal and family history, childhood documents, and observer nomination. Designed to work well for people with ADHD.
- Private psychiatrist: Varies by provider
Between appointments
- Other QLD GP telehealth services: May include blood work and ECG organised separately, check whether these costs are included or additional
- myspecialistgp.com.au: Blood tests and/or ECG may be required before appointment 2. Your GP will advise what is needed. The practice can liaise with your regular GP if required.
- Private psychiatrist: Varies
Other QLD GP telehealth services: what to look for
Several GP telehealth services have launched in Queensland since the December 2025 reform, all offering adult ADHD assessment by video without a referral. The structural steps are similar across them: an intake questionnaire, two appointments, and ongoing medication reviews. What varies is how fees are presented, what is included, and what you need to organise between appointments.
Questions to ask before booking
- What is the maximum out-of-pocket cost? Some services publish full fees before Medicare rebates. Others publish the out-of-pocket figure after rebates. These can look very different. Ask for the worst-case amount you will pay.
- Are blood work and ECG included, or separate? Baseline investigations are standard before stimulant medication is prescribed. Some services order these between appointments and the cost is not included in the consultation fee. Budget for pathology fees and, if needed, a separate GP referral.
- Is in-person available? Most new services are telehealth only. If you want a face-to-face option, check before booking. If you are unsure whether online or in-person makes a clinical difference, read what is actually different between an online and in-person ADHD assessment.
- What does the intake involve? A thorough intake collects validated questionnaires, personal and family history, childhood documentation, and an observer report. The more structured the intake, the less time the appointment spends on data collection.
- How are ongoing medication reviews priced? The initial assessment cost is only part of the picture. Medication reviews every 1–6 months are ongoing. Check the per-appointment cost before committing.
myspecialistgp.com.au: how it works
The assessment process
- Book online: No referral needed. Choose telehealth or in-person.
- Intake at home: Validated questionnaires (including ASRS v1.1), personal and family history, childhood documentation (school reports, previous assessments), and observer nomination. All completed online at your own pace before the appointment.
- The first assessment is about discussing your results, not filling out forms! The GP may recommend extra tests before your second appointment.
- Appointment 2 is when the diagnosis and treatment plan usually gets confirmed . Medication prescribed if indicated. Trained GPs can prescribe these under a QLD Health authority pathway enabled by the December 2025 reform. Most patients reach a diagnosis outcome at this appointment. Some presentations require a third appointment.
- Medication review appointments are shorter: First check-in 2 weeks after prescription, then 6-monthly once stable. Cost varies depending on appointment length and complexity.
Fees and rebates
Fees shown are for a standard patient and are the maximum out-of-pocket after Medicare rebates on eligible items. An ECG and or. blood tests (if needed) are billed separately. Medicare rebates apply to Medicare-eligible patients seen in-person, or to existing patients of the practice. Refer to each GP’s terms. See the full pricing page for example pricing.
Wait times
Contact the practice directly via the online appointment calendar for current availability.
Private psychiatrist: for comparison
A private psychiatrist assessment remains the right pathway for complex presentations: significant trauma history, possible bipolar disorder, active psychosis, or where the GP assessment raises questions that need specialist input.
For uncomplicated adult ADHD presentations in Queensland, the clinical framework is the same: DSM-5 criteria, ASRS v1.1 screening, collateral history, medical review. Since December 2025, a specialist GP in Queensland can make the diagnosis and start treatment without a psychiatrist referral.
- Cost: $1,200 to $2,600+ out-of-pocket, depending on location and complexity.
- Wait time: Typically 6–18 months for a private psychiatrist appointment. Source: Senate Community Affairs ADHD Report (2023).
- Referral: A GP referral is required to access Medicare rebates for a psychiatrist appointment.
Ready to book? Request an assessment with a Queensland GP. No referral needed. Medicare rebates on eligible items.
Citations
- Senate Community Affairs References Committee: ADHD Assessment and Support Services (2023)
- ADHD Australia: Queensland GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD (2025)
- Queensland Government media release: GP ADHD prescribing reform (November 2025)
What is the cheapest way to get an ADHD assessment in Queensland?
GP telehealth services operating since the December 2025 reform are substantially cheaper than a private psychiatrist. myspecialistgp.com.au publishes a maximum out-of-pocket costs for all their doctors. A private psychiatrist costs $1,200 to $2,600+ out-of-pocket and requires a 6–18 month wait. Always ask each GP service for their maximum out-of-pocket figure – some publish full fees before rebates, which can look higher than the actual out-of-pocket cost.
Do I need a referral for a GP ADHD assessment in Queensland?
No. Queensland GP telehealth services offering adult ADHD assessment accept direct bookings without a referral. You do need a referral to claim Medicare rebates for a psychiatrist appointment.
What should I compare when choosing a QLD GP telehealth service for ADHD assessment?
The key things to compare: (1) fee transparency: ask for the maximum out-of-pocket figure, not just the full fee before rebates; (2) whether blood work and ECG are included or billed separately; (3) in-person availability if you want a face-to-face option; (4) the depth of the pre-appointment intake : a structured digital intake means appointment time is spent on clinical assessment, not data collection; (5) ongoing medication review costs, since these recur every 1–6 months.
How long does a GP ADHD assessment take in Queensland?
The two-appointment GP pathway typically runs over one to two weeks from booking to first appointment. You complete your intake at home before the first appointment. The first appointment is approximately 45 minutes, the second approximately 30 minutes. Exact booking lead times depend on current availability. Contact each service directly.
Is a GP ADHD diagnosis valid in Queensland?
Yes. Since 1 December 2025, specialist-trained GPs in Queensland can diagnose adult ADHD and prescribe medication. The diagnosis is made against DSM-5 criteria, the same framework psychiatrists use. The diagnosis carries the same clinical and legal weight as a psychiatrist diagnosis.
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.
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