ADHD Assessment · New South Wales
ADHD Assessment
in New South Wales
NSW has 800+ trained GPs who can continue ADHD medication. GPs in the endorsed-prescriber program can now diagnose ADHD and start medication. The first cohort of about 300 completes the full program through late 2026.
Rules last checked: 22 September 2026
Official sources: NSW Health: prescribe a psychostimulant medicineNSW ACI: ADHD care in general practiceNSW ADHD reforms update: 31 August 2026
New South Wales was one of the first states to begin training GPs to manage ADHD medication. Stage 1, active since September 2025, allows trained GPs to continue prescribing stimulant medication that a psychiatrist originally started. Stage 2 lets endorsed GPs diagnose ADHD and initiate stimulant medication. The first GPs in the program are already doing so.
In this article
- Can a GP diagnose ADHD in New South Wales?
- Which GPs can prescribe in NSW
- Training requirements
- Medication and dosage rules
- How the assessment works
- Is this for you?
- GP continuation vs psychiatrist: a comparison
- Can you fill an interstate prescription in NSW?
- Telehealth across New South Wales
- What it costs
- ADHD GP prescribing in other states
- Frequently asked questions
The reform
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in New South Wales?
Yes. Endorsed-GP pathway active for diagnosis and initiation, limited in scope; continuation pathway active since 1 September 2025.
What this means
Assessment and initiation: Only an endorsed GP with the required training and NSW Health authority may use the initiation pathway.
Ongoing care: A broader continuation pathway operates for eligible stable patients. Confirm the GP’s authority and availability before booking.
Requirements and safeguards
Continuation prescribers must complete NSW-endorsed training and obtain a general authority for eligible stable patients aged 6 and over with an existing diagnosis. Endorsed prescribers require additional accredited training or approved recognition of prior learning plus NSW authority. As at 31 August 2026, 1,570 continuation general authorities had been issued and 317 GPs were enrolled in endorsed training; enrolment does not mean every trainee is already an active endorsed prescriber.
Rules last checked: 22 September 2026
Official sources: NSW Health: prescribe a psychostimulant medicineNSW ACI: ADHD care in general practiceNSW ADHD reforms update: 31 August 2026
Find me an ADHD GP in New South Wales
Tell us what you need. The State-specific finder will show the current options or take you to the relevant waitlist.
The process
How the assessment works
For patients with an existing diagnosis and stable medication, the continuation process is straightforward. Most patients are seen within 2 to 4 weeks.
1
Step 1
Book a telehealth appointment
Request an appointment online. If you have an existing ADHD diagnosis and medication, bring your specialist’s handover letter. Most patients are seen within 2 to 4 weeks.
2
Step 2
Complete your intake from home
Validated screening questionnaires (ASRS v1.1), developmental history, and an observer report. Done from your phone, one question at a time, before your appointment.
3
Step 3
Clinical review via telehealth
Your GP reviews the intake data, confirms the existing diagnosis, checks current medication and dose, screens for any changes, and decides whether to continue prescribing.
4
Step 4
Ongoing management
If continuing, your GP issues the prescription, sets up monitoring appointments, and manages your care going forward. Follow-up every 3 to 6 months.
Is this for you?
Who this service is designed for
This service is for adults (18+) in New South Wales who:
- Have an existing ADHD diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician
- Are on stable stimulant medication and need a GP to take over prescribing
- Were diagnosed as a child and need to re-establish adult treatment
- Want a first-time assessment from a GP in the endorsed-prescriber program
- Have an interstate or overseas ADHD diagnosis that needs local management
- Are on a psychiatrist waitlist and want continuation prescribing sooner
Comparison
GP continuation vs psychiatrist: a comparison
| GP continuation (NSW) | Psychiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time | 2 to 4 weeks | 12 to 18 months |
| Referral needed | No (but need specialist handover letter) | Yes (GP referral) |
| Telehealth available | Yes, all of NSW | Limited availability |
| Medicare rebate | Yes (standard GP items) | Yes (specialist items, higher rebate but often higher gap) |
| Can diagnose ADHD | Not yet (Stage 2 expected mid-late 2026) | Yes |
| Can initiate stimulants | Not yet (Stage 2 expected mid-late 2026) | Yes |
| Can continue stimulants | Yes (since Sep 2025) | Yes |
| When to choose | Stable patients needing ongoing management | New diagnoses, complex presentations, dose above GP limits |
Interstate prescribing
Can interstate GPs prescribe to NSW patients?
Only with approval. The script must carry the prescriber’s NSW Health approval number. NSW grants it to interstate GPs for continuation with a specialist, not for a first script.
| Patient’s state | Accepts interstate GP S8 script? | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | Yes, with conditions | A Queensland pharmacy can dispense it if the script meets Queensland rules: it must name the condition being treated and state the prescriber’s authority to prescribe. The prescriber must be authorised in their own state; Queensland does not issue approvals to interstate prescribers. |
| NSW | Only with approval | The script must carry the prescriber’s NSW Health approval number. NSW grants it to interstate GPs for continuation with a specialist, not for a first script. |
| VIC | Yes | Interstate Schedule 8 scripts from Ahpra-registered practitioners are dispensable in Victoria. |
| SA | Yes | No SA authority is needed by the interstate prescriber. The pharmacist checks ScriptCheckSA before dispensing. |
| WA | Yes, with conditions | Continuation under shared care only, with the patient’s date of birth, exact repeat intervals and directions on the script. An interstate GP cannot write the first stimulant script. |
| TAS | Yes, with conditions | The prescriber must hold a Tasmanian s59E authority for the patient and check TasScript before prescribing. |
| ACT | No | The prescriber needs ACT Chief Health Officer approval, whichever state they work in. An interstate GP can get it only to continue treatment a specialist started. Scripts without it are not dispensed. |
| NT | Unclear | Specialist scripts are accepted. GP scripts are not addressed. Contact NT Poisons Control. |
Rows last checked between 26 August 2026 and 5 October 2026. Oldest row: NT. Sources are on each state’s page.
If you are in NSW and need ADHD medication, your options are:
- See a trained NSW continuation prescriber (1,570 continuation authorities issued as at 31 August 2026) if you have an existing diagnosis
- See an endorsed-program GP, or a psychiatrist, for a first-time diagnosis
- If moving from interstate, ask your current GP for a handover letter so an NSW continuation prescriber can take over
Telehealth
Telehealth across New South Wales
All continuation consultations are available via telehealth. You do not need to travel to a clinic. This makes the service accessible whether you are in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, Canberra-adjacent border areas, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, or anywhere in regional and remote NSW.
You need a stable internet connection, a device with a camera (phone, tablet, or computer), and a quiet, private space for your appointment. Scripts are sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy.
Pricing
What it costs
GP continuation consultations are billed as standard GP consultations. Medicare rebates apply for all Australian residents with a Medicare card. See the pricing page for current fees and out-of-pocket costs.
National comparison
ADHD GP prescribing in other states
Rules change by state. See the national guide for the current map, official sources and state-by-state details.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in New South Wales?
Yes. Only an endorsed GP with the required training and NSW Health authority may use the initiation pathway.
Can a GP start ADHD medication in New South Wales?
Yes. Only an endorsed GP with the required training and NSW Health authority may use the initiation pathway.
Can a GP continue ADHD medication a specialist prescribed in New South Wales?
Yes. A broader continuation pathway operates for eligible stable patients.
Do I need a referral for ADHD medication continuation in NSW?
You do not need a GP referral to see a continuation prescriber. You do need a handover letter from your treating psychiatrist or paediatrician confirming the diagnosis and current treatment plan.
How many GPs in NSW can prescribe ADHD medication?
As at 31 August 2026, 1,570 continuation general authorities had been issued. This number is growing as more GPs complete the endorsed training program.
Can I fill an interstate ADHD prescription in NSW?
Not directly. NSW requires its own authority number on every psychostimulant prescription, so a script written under another state’s authority cannot simply be filled at an NSW pharmacy. An interstate GP can apply for that NSW authority through SafeScript NSW, but only as a co-managing or continuing prescriber working with a psychiatrist, paediatrician or neurologist, not as the diagnosing doctor.
Can a Queensland GP prescribe ADHD medication to someone in NSW?
A Queensland GP can conduct a telehealth consultation, but their prescription cannot be filled at an NSW pharmacy because NSW requires its own authority number. The Queensland GP could apply for that authority through SafeScript NSW as a co-managing or continuing prescriber, but not as your diagnosing doctor. For most NSW patients, a local continuation prescriber or a psychiatrist is the more direct option.
What training do NSW GPs need to prescribe ADHD medication?
NSW GPs must complete a RACGP-endorsed training program covering ADHD assessment, differential diagnosis, medication management, and monitoring. This is mandatory. Unlike Queensland, there is no exemption for experienced GPs.
How long does it take to see a GP for ADHD in NSW?
Most continuation prescribers see patients within 2 to 4 weeks. Psychiatrist waitlists in NSW average 12 to 18 months, with longer waits in regional areas.
What is the maximum dose a GP can prescribe in NSW?
NSW continuation prescribers can prescribe dexamfetamine up to 50 mg a day, lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) up to 70 mg a day and methylphenidate up to 108 mg a day under their general authority. Doses above those limits need a specialist’s input. Source: NSW Health, Criteria for the management of medicines for ADHD by continuation prescribers, updated 10 February 2026.
Does Medicare cover GP ADHD consultations in NSW?
Yes. GP continuation consultations are billed under standard Medicare consultation items. You receive the same Medicare rebate as any other GP appointment.
I was diagnosed interstate. Can an NSW GP continue my medication?
It depends on who diagnosed you. NSW continuation prescribers can take over your care when the original diagnosis came from a psychiatrist, paediatrician, neurologist, or another NSW-authorised prescriber. A diagnosis made by an interstate GP, for example under Queensland’s or South Australia’s GP pathway, does not qualify for NSW continuation. Bring the specialist’s handover letter, medication history and any assessment reports to your appointment.
ADHD articles for NSW patients
-
What to Expect in the First 4 Weeks on ADHD Medication
Read more →: What to Expect in the First 4 Weeks on ADHD MedicationA week-by-week guide to starting ADHD medication in Australia, covering titration timelines for Vyvanse, dexamphetamine, and methylphenidate, common side effects,…
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ADHD Medication Dose Too Low or Too High? Signs and How Your GP Adjusts It
Read more →: ADHD Medication Dose Too Low or Too High? Signs and How Your GP Adjusts ItSigns your ADHD medication dose may be too low or too high, and how your GP adjusts dexamphetamine, Vyvanse, Ritalin…
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Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications: When Your GP Might Suggest Them
Read more →: Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications: When Your GP Might Suggest ThemAn Australian guide to non-stimulant ADHD medications including atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine, and clonidine. When stimulants are not suitable, how non-stimulants…
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ADHD and anxiety: why they look alike and how GPs tell them apart
Read more →: ADHD and anxiety: why they look alike and how GPs tell them apartADHD and anxiety share symptoms like restlessness, poor concentration, and sleep problems. Up to 50% of adults with ADHD also…
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Understanding ADHD Medication Side Effects: What Is Normal and What Is Not
Read more →: Understanding ADHD Medication Side Effects: What Is Normal and What Is NotA practical guide to ADHD medication side effects in Australia, categorised by stimulant and non-stimulant. Covers appetite suppression, sleep disruption,…
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ADHD burnout vs depression: how your GP tells the difference
Read more →: ADHD burnout vs depression: how your GP tells the differenceADHD burnout and depression share symptoms like exhaustion, withdrawal, and difficulty functioning. But the causes differ, and so does the…
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New South Wales · Telehealth · Medicare rebates
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