ADHD assessment · Queensland · Telehealth

ADHD Assessment for Adults
in Queensland

Since December 2025, Queensland GPs can diagnose adult ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication. No psychiatrist referral needed. Medicare rebates apply. Appointments within 1 to 2 weeks.

Request an appointment

How it works

1 to 2 weeks to first appointment

No 12-month psychiatrist waitlist. Book within days, not months.

No referral needed

Book directly. Queensland GPs with fellowship training assess and prescribe for adult ADHD.

Medicare rebates apply

Eligible telehealth consultations attract a Medicare rebate, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.

Is this for you?

Who this assessment is designed for

This service is for adults (18+) in Queensland who suspect they have ADHD or who have been diagnosed and need medication management. You do not need a referral from another doctor. You do not need to have seen a psychiatrist first.

You have been struggling with focus, organisation, impulsivity, or restlessness and suspect ADHD
You were recently diagnosed by a psychologist and need a GP to prescribe medication
Your child was diagnosed and you are now recognising the same patterns in yourself
You are on a psychiatrist waitlist and want an earlier assessment through the GP pathway
You live in regional or rural Queensland and cannot easily access a specialist
You have an existing ADHD diagnosis from interstate or overseas and need a Queensland GP to continue your medication

Our GP assesses via telehealth, so it does not matter where in Queensland you are. Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Agnes Water. If you are in QLD, you are covered.

How it works

Four steps from booking to treatment

You do most of the groundwork at home, at your own pace. Your GP gets a structured clinical summary via Velluto before the appointment, so consultation time is spent on you. No referral needed. Medicare rebates on eligible items.

Step 1

Book online and complete your intake at home

Validated questionnaires (ASRS v1.1, WFIRS), personal and family history, childhood documents, and an observer nomination. All completed online at your own pace before the appointment.

No charge

Step 2

First consultation (telehealth or in person)

Approx 45 min. Your GP has your full clinical summary before the call. They discuss your results and concerns and answer your questions.

~45 min · Telehealth or in person

Step 3

Second consultation (diagnosis and treatment plan)

Approx 30 min. Medication is prescribed if indicated. Your GP explains the treatment plan, expected timeline, and what to monitor.

~30 min · Telehealth or in person

Step 4

Treatment and ongoing care

Short check-ins to adjust dosage, monitor side effects, and renew scripts. No repeat of the full assessment. First review 2 weeks after starting medication, then 6 monthly.

15-20 min · Ongoing care

View detailed pricing →

Why this is possible

Queensland’s ADHD prescribing reform

On 1 December 2025, Queensland became the first state to allow GPs to diagnose adult ADHD and initiate stimulant medication without a psychiatrist. This removed the biggest bottleneck in ADHD care: the 12 to 18 month wait for a psychiatrist appointment.

Queensland GPs with FRACGP or FACRRM fellowship can now assess adults for ADHD and prescribe stimulant medications including dexamfetamine (up to 40 mg/day), lisdexamfetamine (up to 70 mg/day), and methylphenidate (up to 80 mg/day) under existing Schedule 8 authority. No additional ADHD training course is required.

GPs can diagnose

Yes

GPs can initiate medication

Yes

GPs can continue prescriptions

Yes

Sources: QLD Ministerial Statement, December 2025 · Full QLD reform details and official sources

Your GP

Meet your Queensland GP

Telehealth available

Dr Sandy Skinner

BSc; MBBS; FRACGP

Agnes Water, QLD

I'm Dr Sandra Skinner. I look forward to meeting you. The more you can share before we meet, the more productive our time together will be.

View profile and fees

Telehealth appointments available from anywhere in Queensland. Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, or anywhere in between.

Telehealth · Anywhere in Queensland

The average psychiatrist wait in Queensland is 12 to 18 months. Your GP appointment is 1 to 2 weeks away.

Queensland changed the rules so you do not have to wait. A trained GP assesses you, prescribes if indicated, and manages your care ongoing.

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GP pathway vs psychiatrist

How the GP assessment compares

	GP pathway (My Specialist GP)	Private psychiatrist
Wait time	1 to 2 weeks	12 to 18 months
Referral needed	No	Yes (from a GP)
Telehealth available	Yes, anywhere in QLD	Some offer telehealth
Can diagnose ADHD	Yes (since Dec 2025)	Yes
Can prescribe stimulants	Yes (S8 authority)	Yes
Typical out-of-pocket cost	$350 first consult, $250 second (after Medicare rebate)	$500 to $1,000+ per session

Both pathways are clinically valid. The GP pathway is faster and more affordable for most adults. If your presentation is complex (e.g. significant psychiatric comorbidities), your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist for further assessment. Read our full comparison of GP vs psychiatrist assessment.

Frequently asked questions

ADHD assessment in Queensland: your questions answered

Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Queensland?

Yes. Since 1 December 2025, Queensland GPs with FRACGP or FACRRM fellowship can diagnose adult ADHD and initiate stimulant medication. No additional ADHD training course is required. This is a Queensland-specific reform. Other states are at different stages of allowing GP prescribing.

Do I need a referral for an ADHD assessment in Queensland?

No. You can book directly with a GP who offers ADHD assessments. You do not need a referral from another doctor, and you do not need to have seen a psychiatrist first. If you have existing reports from a psychologist or psychiatrist, bring them along, but they are not required.

Can a GP prescribe Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) in Queensland?

Yes. Queensland GPs with fellowship training can prescribe lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) up to 70 mg per day under Schedule 8 authority. They can also prescribe dexamfetamine (up to 40 mg/day) and methylphenidate (up to 80 mg/day). If a dose above these limits is needed, a psychiatrist referral is required.

How much does an ADHD assessment cost in Queensland?

At My Specialist GP, the maximum out-of-pocket cost is $350 for the first consultation (approx 45 min) and $250 for the second consultation (approx 30 min). Medicare rebates apply to eligible telehealth items, reducing what you pay. The pre-assessment intake forms are completed at home at no charge. View the full pricing breakdown on the <a href="/adhd-assessment-pricing/">pricing page</a>.

How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment in Queensland?

At My Specialist GP, first appointments are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks. By comparison, the average wait for a private psychiatrist ADHD assessment in Queensland is 12 to 18 months. The GP pathway exists specifically to reduce this wait.

Can I get an ADHD assessment via telehealth in Queensland?

Yes. Our GP assesses patients via telehealth (video call) from anywhere in Queensland. It does not matter whether you are in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, or a regional area. Telehealth ADHD assessments attract the same Medicare rebates as in-person consultations.

I live in regional Queensland. Can I still access this service?

Yes. Telehealth removes the geographic barrier entirely. Dr Sandra Skinner is based in Agnes Water and sees patients from across Queensland via video call. Regional and rural patients face the same long specialist waitlists as city patients, often worse. The GP telehealth pathway gives you the same access as someone in Brisbane.

What happens if my GP thinks I do not have ADHD?

If the assessment does not support an ADHD diagnosis, your GP will explain the findings and discuss what else might be contributing to your symptoms. Conditions like anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and thyroid dysfunction can mimic ADHD. Your GP can help you get the right support regardless of the outcome.

I was diagnosed interstate or overseas. Can a Queensland GP continue my medication?

Yes. If you have an existing ADHD diagnosis and are currently on medication, a Queensland GP can review your records and continue prescribing under the QLD framework. Bring your most recent specialist letter, medication history, and any diagnostic reports to your appointment.

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