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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.

Find an ADHD GP in Queensland
How the assessment works
GPs can diagnoseYes
GPs can initiate medicationYes
GPs can continue prescriptionsYes

Rules last checked: 04 September 2026

Official sources: Queensland Health: prescribing ADHD medicinesQueensland Health: prescribing psychostimulants fact sheet

Queensland was the first state to allow GPs to diagnose adult ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication, effective 1 December 2025. No psychiatrist referral is required. Our GP assesses via telehealth from anywhere in Queensland, with first appointments typically available within 1 to 2 weeks.

In this article

  1. Who this assessment is for
  2. How the assessment works
  3. Queensland’s prescribing reform
  4. Meet your Queensland GP
  5. GP pathway vs psychiatrist
  6. Interstate prescribing
  7. ADHD GP prescribing in other states
  8. Frequently asked questions

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.

The process

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.

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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 →

The reform

Queensland’s ADHD prescribing reform

Current pathway: Pathway active from 1 December 2025

What this means

Assessment and initiation: Eligible specialist GPs may assess and initiate for adults within Queensland conditions.

Ongoing care: Available within the state pathway. Ask the GP what they offer and whether they have capacity.

Requirements and safeguards

Adults: medical practitioners with Ahpra specialist registration in general practice may initiate, modify and continue psychostimulants within maximum dose limits. Ages 4 to 17: authorised medical practitioners may prescribe within the regulation. Patients under 4, prescribing outside dose limits or other exceptions require approval. QScript checks are mandatory.

Rules last checked: 04 September 2026

Official sources: Queensland Health: prescribing ADHD medicinesQueensland Health: prescribing psychostimulants fact sheet

Find me an ADHD GP in Queensland

Tell us what you need. The State-specific finder will show the current options or take you to the relevant waitlist.

Find me a GP

Your GP

Meet your Queensland GP

Dr Sandy Skinner

Dr Sandy Skinner

MBBS; FRACGP; BSc

Currently accepting patients in
Telehealth
  • QueenslandNew diagnosis and continuing treatment
  • VictoriaNew diagnosis and continuing treatment
View profile and fees

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

GP pathway vs psychiatrist

How the GP assessment compares

GP pathway (My Specialist GP)Private psychiatrist
Wait time1 to 2 weeks12 to 18 months
Referral neededNoYes (from a GP)
Telehealth availableYes, anywhere in QLDSome offer telehealth
Can diagnose ADHDYes (since Dec 2025)Yes
Can prescribe stimulantsYes (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.

Interstate patients

Can a Queensland GP prescribe to patients in other states?

AHPRA medical registration is national. A GP registered in any Australian state can consult patients anywhere in the country via telehealth. The clinical consultation itself is not restricted by state borders.

The restriction is at the pharmacy. Schedule 8 stimulant prescribing is controlled at the state level. Whether a patient can fill a script from an interstate GP depends on the dispensing rules in the patient’s state.

If you are a Queensland resident seeing a Queensland GP, this does not affect you. Your script is filled at a Queensland pharmacy under Queensland rules. But if you are considering seeing a Queensland GP from another state, check the table below.

Patient’s stateAccepts interstate GP S8 script?Key condition
QueenslandYesQLD GPs prescribe under S8 authority
New South WalesNoRequires NSW authority number on script. No interstate pathway.
VictoriaYesAccepts interstate S8 scripts from AHPRA-registered practitioners
South AustraliaYes (with verification)Pharmacist must verify script. ScriptCheckSA must be checked.
Western AustraliaUnclearInterstate GP position not settled. Check with local pharmacy or WA Health.
TasmaniaYes (from Feb 2026)Explicitly accepts interstate psychostimulant scripts
ACTNoPrescriber needs ACT Chief Health Officer approval, whichever state they work in. Scripts without it are not dispensed.
Northern TerritoryGrey area for GPsSpecialist scripts accepted. GP scripts ambiguous. Contact NT Poisons Control.

The key outlier is New South Wales. NSW requires its own authority number on every psychostimulant script. There is no pathway for an interstate GP to obtain an NSW authority number. A prescription written by a Queensland GP cannot be filled at an NSW pharmacy.

Patients in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the ACT can, based on current regulations, fill a script from a Queensland GP at their local pharmacy. Western Australia and the Northern Territory have less clear positions. Patients in those states should confirm with their local pharmacy or state health department before booking.

Based on state and territory drugs and poisons legislation current as of April 2026. Regulations may change. Always confirm with your local pharmacy before relying on interstate dispensing.

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.

Compare ADHD GP prescribing by state

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 pricing page.

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.

From the blog

ADHD articles for Queensland patients

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Queensland · Telehealth · Medicare rebates

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