ADHD Assessment · Victoria
Training underway, target Sep 2026
ADHD Assessment
in Victoria
Victoria announced $750,000 in funding for GP ADHD prescribing training in February 2026. The target is 150 trained GPs by September 2026. GPs can already continue stimulant medication with an S8 permit. Full GP-led diagnosis and initiation is expected by late 2026.
$750K
State funding for GP training
150
Target GPs by Sep 2026
6+
Minimum patient age
100%
Telehealth available
Victoria is moving toward GP-led ADHD care, but the regulatory framework is not yet active. The state announced $750,000 in training funding in February 2026, with a target of 150 GPs completing training by September 2026. Patients aged 6 and over will be eligible once the pathway opens. In the meantime, Victorian GPs can continue stimulant medication under an existing S8 permit if a specialist has made the diagnosis.
In this article
The reform
What is happening in Victoria
In February 2026, Victoria announced $750,000 in state funding to train GPs in ADHD diagnosis and stimulant prescribing. The target is 150 trained GPs by September 2026, covering patients aged 6 and over.
The regulatory instrument that will allow GPs to independently diagnose and initiate stimulant medication is not yet in effect. Training is underway, but GPs cannot yet prescribe stimulants for new patients without a specialist diagnosis.
Victorian GPs can already continue stimulant medication with an S8 permit from the Department of Health, provided a specialist has made the diagnosis and recommended the medication. This has been available for some time, separate from the new reforms.
GPs can diagnose
Not yet
GPs can initiate medication
Not yet
GPs can continue prescriptions
Yes (S8 permit)
Sources: Premier of Victoria media release, February 2026. health.vic.gov.au Schedule 8 permit requirements.
What is available now
What you can do now in Victoria
If you already have an ADHD diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician and are on stable medication, a Victorian GP can apply for an S8 permit to continue your prescriptions. This does not require the new training program.
If you need a first-time ADHD diagnosis, the current pathway is a psychiatrist referral. Once the new regulatory framework is active (expected late 2026), trained GPs will be able to diagnose and initiate stimulant medication independently.
Is this for you?
Who this service is designed for
Right now, the GP continuation pathway is for adults and children in Victoria who already have a specialist ADHD diagnosis and stable medication. When the full pathway opens, it will cover new assessments for patients aged 6 and over.
- You have an existing ADHD diagnosis and need a GP to continue your medication
- Your psychiatrist has discharged you and your local GP needs an S8 permit
- You have moved to Victoria from another state and need a local prescriber
- You suspect ADHD and want to register interest for when GP-led assessment opens
- You live in regional Victoria (Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool) and specialist access is limited
Telehealth appointments are available from anywhere in Victoria. Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, the Great Ocean Road corridor, or the Wimmera. Location is not a barrier.
The process
How the assessment works
For patients with an existing diagnosis and stable medication, the continuation process works the same way across all states. You do the preparation at home, and your GP reviews everything before the appointment.
1
Step 1
Book online and complete your intake at home
Validated questionnaires (ASRS v1.1, WFIRS), personal and developmental history, and an observer nomination. All completed online at your own pace.
No charge
2
Step 2
GP reviews your clinical summary
Your GP receives your intake results, existing specialist reports, and medication history before the consultation. Appointment time is spent on clinical assessment.
3
Step 3
Consultation (telehealth or in person)
Your GP reviews the findings, confirms the existing diagnosis, checks your current medication and dose, and decides whether to continue prescribing under the S8 permit framework.
4
Step 4
Ongoing care and monitoring
Short check-ins to monitor treatment, adjust dosage if needed, and renew scripts. Follow-up every 3 to 6 months depending on your GP and treatment stability.
Interstate prescribing
Can Victorian patients access interstate ADHD GPs?
Yes. Victoria accepts interstate Schedule 8 prescriptions from AHPRA-registered practitioners. A Victorian pharmacy can dispense a stimulant script written by a GP registered in another state.
This is significant because Victoria’s own GP prescribing pathway is still in training (target late 2026 for GP-initiated prescribing). Until that pathway opens, Victorian patients who need a first-time ADHD assessment through a GP can access GPs from states where prescribing is already active, such as Queensland and South Australia, via telehealth.
Victorian patients with an existing diagnosis can also access local continuation prescribing. GPs can apply for an S8 permit to continue medication that a specialist originally prescribed.
The table below shows the interstate dispensing position for all states.
| Patient’s state | Accepts interstate GP S8 script? | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Yes | QLD GPs prescribe under S8 authority |
| New South Wales | No | Requires NSW authority number on script. No interstate pathway. |
| Victoria | Yes | Accepts interstate S8 scripts from AHPRA-registered practitioners |
| South Australia | Yes (with verification) | Pharmacist must verify script. ScriptCheckSA must be checked. |
| Western Australia | Unclear | Interstate GP position not settled. Check with local pharmacy or WA Health. |
| Tasmania | Yes (from Feb 2026) | Explicitly accepts interstate psychostimulant scripts |
| ACT | Likely yes | No explicit prohibition found. Script must meet ACT format requirements. |
| Northern Territory | Grey area for GPs | Specialist scripts accepted. GP scripts ambiguous. Contact NT Poisons Control. |
Based on Victorian Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and DHHS guidance. Correct as of April 2026.
Comparison
GP pathway vs psychiatrist: a comparison
| GP pathway (VIC, current) | Psychiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time | Not yet available for new diagnosis | 12 to 18 months |
| Referral needed | No (for continuation) | Yes (GP referral) |
| Telehealth available | Yes, all of VIC | Limited availability |
| Medicare rebate | Yes (standard GP items) | Yes (specialist items) |
| Can diagnose ADHD | Not yet (expected late 2026) | Yes |
| Can initiate stimulants | Not yet (expected late 2026) | Yes |
| Can continue stimulants | Yes (S8 permit with specialist diagnosis) | Yes |
Our network
We are building our GP network in Victoria
We are recruiting GPs in Victoria who are enrolled in the ADHD training program or who already hold an S8 permit for stimulant continuation. If you are a GP interested in joining our network, register your interest below.
National comparison
ADHD GP prescribing in other states
| State | Diagnose? | Initiate stimulants? | Continue? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Yes | Yes | Yes | Active since Dec 2025 |
| South Australia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Active since Feb 2026 |
| New South Wales | Stage 2 (training) | Expected mid-late 2026 | Yes | 749 continuation prescribers |
| Victoria | In training | Expected late 2026 | Yes (S8 permit) | 150 GPs target by Sep 2026 |
| Western Australia | In training | After co-management | Yes | 65 GPs target by end 2026 |
| ACT | Later 2026 (Stage 2) | Later 2026 | Yes (Standing CHO) | Continuation active Feb 2026 |
| Tasmania | Not yet | Not yet | Yes (with authorisation) | Committed, details in dev |
| Northern Territory | No | No | Limited (S8 permit) | No reform announced |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Victoria?
Not yet. Victoria has announced $750,000 in training funding with a target of 150 trained GPs by September 2026, but the regulatory instrument allowing GP-led diagnosis is not yet active. GPs can currently continue stimulant medication under an existing S8 permit if a specialist made the diagnosis.
When will Victorian GPs be able to prescribe ADHD medication independently?
The target is late 2026. Training is underway and the state government has committed funding, but the regulatory change has not yet been gazetted.
Can a GP continue my ADHD medication in Victoria?
Yes. If you have an existing diagnosis from a specialist and are on stable medication, your GP can apply for an S8 permit to continue prescribing. This does not require the new training program.
What age groups will the Victorian GP pathway cover?
The announced program covers patients aged 6 and over, which includes both children and adults.
Does Medicare cover GP ADHD consultations in Victoria?
Yes. GP consultations are billed under standard Medicare items. You receive the same Medicare rebate as any other GP appointment.
I live in regional Victoria. Are there ADHD GPs near me?
We are building a network of GPs across Victoria, including Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and regional areas. Telehealth is available from anywhere in Victoria.
ADHD articles for VIC patients
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AADPA 9th Annual ADHD Conference 2026. Melbourne. July 25-26.
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How to Tell If Your ADHD Medication Dose Needs Adjusting
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Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications: When Your GP Might Suggest Them
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Understanding ADHD Medication Side Effects: What Is Normal and What Is Not
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Victoria · Telehealth · Medicare rebates
Register your interest for ADHD assessment in VIC
GP-led ADHD diagnosis is coming to Victoria. Register to be notified when trained GPs are available in your area. If you need continuation prescribing now, we can help connect you.
Or call to discuss your options first.