ADHD Assessment · South Australia

GP diagnosis and prescribing active

ADHD Assessment
in South Australia

Since 28 February 2026, trained South Australian GPs can diagnose ADHD and initiate stimulant medication for patients aged 8 and over. SA is the second state after Queensland to allow full GP-led ADHD care.

Find an ADHD GP in South Australia

How the assessment works

Feb 2026

GP prescribing active

100

GP cap (initial cohort)

Minimum patient age

100%

Telehealth available

South Australia became the second state in Australia to allow GPs to diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication. The pathway opened on 28 February 2026, covering patients aged 8 and over. Unlike Queensland (where no specific training course is required), SA mandates a structured training program for participating GPs.

In this article

What changed in SA
Training requirements
Who this is for
How the assessment works
Can SA patients fill interstate GP scripts?
GP pathway vs psychiatrist
Our GP network in SA
ADHD GP prescribing in other states
Frequently asked questions

The reform

What changed in South Australia

On 28 February 2026, South Australia launched a GP prescribing pathway for ADHD stimulant medication. Trained GPs can now diagnose ADHD and initiate stimulant treatment for patients aged 8 and over, without a prior psychiatrist assessment.

SA is the second Australian state (after Queensland) to open full GP-led ADHD care. The first cohort of 100 GPs completed training in February 2026 and is now seeing patients. More than 300 GPs applied for those 100 spots. A second cohort of 100 GPs is planned by the end of 2026, with RACGP SA prioritising regional areas where access to ADHD assessment has historically been limited.

Before this reform, all ADHD stimulant prescribing in SA required a psychiatrist or paediatrician. With specialist wait times averaging 12 to 24 months in Adelaide and longer in regional SA, the GP pathway is designed to reduce diagnostic bottlenecks.

GPs can diagnose

Yes

GPs can initiate medication

Yes

GPs can continue prescriptions

Yes

Sources: SA Premier media release, February 2026. SA Health GP ADHD prescribing pathway page.

GP training

Training requirements

SA requires a structured training program with three components: two RACGP online modules, a full-day in-person session, and six peer group learning sessions spread over nine months.

This differs from Queensland, where GPs with FRACGP or FACRRM fellowship can assess and prescribe without completing a specific ADHD training course. The SA model emphasises ongoing peer support and case-based learning alongside the didactic content.

The first cohort of 100 GPs completed the program by February 2026 and is now active. A second cohort of 100 GPs is planned by the end of 2026. RACGP SA has flagged regional areas as the priority for the second intake. Data shows ADHD diagnosis rates on the Eyre Peninsula are as low as 0.81%, compared to 1.99% in some metropolitan areas.

Is this for you?

Who this assessment is designed for

The SA GP pathway covers patients aged 8 and over. This means both adults and older children qualify. You do not need a psychiatrist referral to access a trained GP.

You suspect ADHD and have not been assessed (no prior psychiatrist visit needed)
You were diagnosed by a psychologist and need a GP to prescribe medication
Your child (aged 8+) shows signs of ADHD and you want a GP assessment
You have an existing diagnosis from interstate or overseas and need local prescribing
You are on a psychiatrist waitlist in Adelaide and want an earlier assessment
You live in regional SA (Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge) and specialist access is limited

Telehealth makes the service accessible from anywhere in South Australia. Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula, or the far north. If you are in SA, you are covered.

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. 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

GP reviews your clinical summary

Your GP receives a structured summary of your questionnaire results, developmental history, and observer input before the consultation. This means the appointment time is focused on clinical assessment.

Step 3

Consultation (telehealth or in person)

Your GP discusses the findings, makes a clinical determination, and explains next steps. If ADHD is confirmed and medication is indicated, treatment starts here.

Step 4

Ongoing care and monitoring

Short check-ins to adjust dosage, monitor side effects, and renew scripts. The SA model includes peer group learning for your GP, which means your care is continuously supported by specialist oversight.

Interstate prescribing

Can SA patients fill interstate GP scripts?

Yes. South Australian pharmacies can dispense Schedule 8 prescriptions written by interstate AHPRA-registered practitioners. The pharmacist must verify the script before dispensing. Verification means the pharmacist either knows the patient, recognises the prescriber’s signature, or contacts the prescriber to confirm. The pharmacist must also check ScriptCheckSA (the state’s real-time prescription monitoring system).

This means patients in SA can access GPs from states where ADHD prescribing is already active (such as Queensland) via telehealth and fill the script at a local SA pharmacy.

SA also has its own GP prescribing pathway active since February 2026. Trained SA GPs can diagnose ADHD and initiate stimulant medication for patients aged 8 and over. So SA patients now have both local and interstate options.

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 SA Controlled Substances Act 1984, ScriptCheckSA requirements, and state health department guidance. Correct as of April 2026.

Comparison

GP pathway vs psychiatrist: a comparison

	GP pathway (SA)	Psychiatrist
Wait time	Shorter than psychiatrist	12 to 24 months
Cost	~$600 across 3 appointments	$2,000 or more
Referral needed	No	Yes (GP referral)
Telehealth available	Yes, all of SA	Limited availability
Medicare rebate	Yes (standard GP items)	Yes (specialist items)
Can diagnose ADHD	Yes (since Feb 2026)	Yes
Can initiate stimulants	Yes (since Feb 2026)	Yes
Can continue stimulants	Yes	Yes
Patient age	8 and over	Any age

Our network

We are building our GP network in South Australia

We are recruiting GPs across South Australia who have completed the SA ADHD prescribing training or are currently enrolled. If you are a GP interested in joining our network, register your interest below.

Find an ADHD GP in South Australia

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 South Australia?

Yes. Since 28 February 2026, GPs who have completed the SA ADHD prescribing training program can diagnose ADHD and initiate stimulant medication for patients aged 8 and over.

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

No. You can book directly with a trained GP. You do not need a referral from another doctor or a prior psychiatrist assessment.

What training do SA GPs need to prescribe ADHD medication?

SA GPs must complete two RACGP online modules, a full-day in-person training session, and six peer group learning sessions over nine months. The initial intake is capped at 100 GPs.

Can children be assessed through the SA GP pathway?

Yes. The SA pathway covers patients aged 8 and over, so both children (from age 8) and adults qualify.

How does SA compare to Queensland for ADHD GP prescribing?

Both states allow full GP-led diagnosis and stimulant initiation. The main differences: SA requires a structured training program (QLD does not), SA covers patients aged 8+ (QLD covers adults 18+), and SA caps the initial cohort at 100 GPs.

Does Medicare cover GP ADHD assessments in South Australia?

Yes. GP ADHD consultations are billed under standard Medicare items. You receive the same Medicare rebate as any other GP appointment.

How much does a GP ADHD assessment cost in South Australia?

According to ABC News reporting from April 2026, the SA GP pathway costs approximately $600 across three appointments. The psychiatrist route typically costs $2,000 or more and involves an average wait of eight months or longer.

Are there ADHD-trained GPs in regional South Australia?

The first cohort of 100 trained GPs includes approximately 40 from regional SA. The second cohort, planned by end 2026, is specifically targeting regional and rural areas. RACGP SA has flagged that parts of the Eyre Peninsula have ADHD diagnosis rates as low as 0.81%, compared to 1.99% in some metropolitan areas.