ADHD Assessment · Tasmania

Committed, details in development

ADHD Assessment
in Tasmania

Tasmania has committed to GP ADHD prescribing reforms following the national RACGP model. Interstate dispensing was reformed on 16 February 2026. The timeline for GP-led diagnosis and initiation has not been announced. GPs with Special Interests can currently get 3-year authority for continuation prescribing.

Find an ADHD GP in Tasmania

How the assessment works

Committed

Reform status

Feb 2026

Interstate dispensing reform

TBC

GP diagnosis start

100%

Telehealth available

Tasmania has committed to ADHD prescribing reforms but is behind QLD, SA, and NSW in implementation. The state reformed interstate dispensing rules on 16 February 2026, making it easier to fill prescriptions written in other states. A full GP-led diagnosis and prescribing pathway has not been dated. The Poisons Act is under full review in 2026, which will shape how GP prescribing works in Tasmania.

In this article

What is happening in Tasmania
What you can do now
Who this is for
How the assessment works
Can Tasmanian patients access interstate ADHD GPs?
GP pathway vs psychiatrist
Our GP network in Tasmania
ADHD GP prescribing in other states
Frequently asked questions

The reform

What is happening in Tasmania

In July 2024, the Tasmanian Premier committed to implementing GP ADHD prescribing reforms following the national RACGP model. The Poisons Act is undergoing a full review in 2026, which will determine how GP prescribing is structured in Tasmania.

On 16 February 2026, Tasmania reformed interstate dispensing rules for Schedule 8 medications. Tasmanian pharmacies can now fill ADHD prescriptions written by authorised prescribers in other states, removing a previous barrier for patients who travel between states.

GPs with Special Interests (GPwSIs) can currently apply for a 3-year authority from the Secretary of Health to continue prescribing ADHD medication. This pathway exists separately from the planned reforms and requires the GP to demonstrate relevant skills and experience.

GPs can diagnose

Not yet

GPs can initiate medication

Not yet

GPs can continue prescriptions

Yes (auth)

Sources: TAS Premier media release, July 2024. TAS Health authorisation for Schedule 8 prescribing page.

What is available now

What you can do now in Tasmania

If you have an existing ADHD diagnosis and stable medication, a GP with Special Interests can apply for a 3-year authority to continue prescribing. The GP must have relevant clinical experience and the specialist must provide documentation supporting the handover.

If you need a first-time diagnosis, the current pathway is a psychiatrist referral. When the reforms are implemented (no date announced), trained GPs will be able to diagnose and initiate treatment.

The interstate dispensing reform (16 February 2026) means a prescription from an authorised prescriber in QLD, SA, or NSW can now be filled at a Tasmanian pharmacy, removing a previous barrier for patients who travel or are transitioning care.

Is this for you?

Who this service is designed for

Right now, the GP continuation pathway is for patients who already have a specialist ADHD diagnosis and stable medication. When the full reform opens, the age range and scope will depend on the Poisons Act review outcome.

You have an existing ADHD diagnosis and need a GP to continue your medication
Your specialist has discharged you and you need local ongoing care
You have moved to Tasmania 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 Tasmania (Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, the East Coast, the West Coast) and specialist access is limited

Telehealth appointments are available from anywhere in Tasmania. Hobart, the Huon Valley, the Tamar Valley, the North West coast, or the Bass Strait islands. Location is not a barrier.

The process

How the assessment works

You do most of the preparation at home, at your own pace. Your GP gets a structured clinical summary before the appointment, so consultation time is spent on assessment, not paperwork. Medicare rebates on eligible items.

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

Step 2

GP reviews your clinical summary

Your GP receives your intake results and any existing specialist reports before the consultation. Appointment time is spent on clinical assessment.

Step 3

Consultation (telehealth or in person)

Your GP discusses the findings, confirms the diagnosis or refers for further assessment, and explains next steps including medication options if indicated.

Step 4

Ongoing care and monitoring

Short check-ins to adjust dosage, monitor side effects, and renew scripts. Follow-up frequency depends on your treatment stability.

Interstate prescribing

Can Tasmanian patients access interstate ADHD GPs?

Yes. From February 2026, Tasmania explicitly accepts interstate psychostimulant prescriptions. A Tasmanian pharmacy can dispense a stimulant script written by an AHPRA-registered GP in another state.

This is relevant because Tasmania has committed to GP ADHD prescribing but the details are still in development. Until Tasmania’s own GP pathway opens, Tasmanian patients who need a first-time ADHD assessment through a GP can access GPs from states where prescribing is already active (Queensland and South Australia) via telehealth and fill the script locally.

Tasmanian patients with an existing diagnosis can also access local continuation prescribing with authorisation from the state.

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 Tasmanian Poisons Act 1971 and Department of Health guidance on interstate prescriptions. Correct as of April 2026.

Comparison

GP pathway vs psychiatrist: a comparison

	GP pathway (TAS)	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 TAS	Limited availability
Medicare rebate	Yes (standard GP items)	Yes (specialist items)
Can diagnose ADHD	Not yet (reform committed, no date)	Yes
Can initiate stimulants	Not yet (reform committed, no date)	Yes
Can continue stimulants	Yes (GPwSI 3-year authority)	Yes

Our network

We are building our GP network in Tasmania

We are recruiting GPs in Tasmania who are trained or training in ADHD prescribing. If you are a GP interested in joining our network, register your interest.

Find an ADHD GP in Tasmania

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 Tasmania?

Not yet. Tasmania has committed to implementing GP ADHD prescribing reforms but has not announced a start date. The Poisons Act review in 2026 will shape the pathway.

Can I fill an interstate ADHD prescription in Tasmania?

Yes, since 16 February 2026. Tasmania reformed its interstate dispensing rules so prescriptions from authorised prescribers in other states can be filled at Tasmanian pharmacies.

Can a GP continue my ADHD medication in Tasmania?

Yes. A GP with Special Interests can apply for a 3-year authority from the Secretary of Health to continue prescribing ADHD medication if you have an existing specialist diagnosis.

When will Tasmanian GPs be able to diagnose ADHD?

No date has been announced. The reform is committed but depends on the Poisons Act review completing in 2026 and the regulatory framework being established.