ADHD Assessment · Tasmania
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 GP pathway is open. 48 GPs had completed the training by August 2026, and access depends on finding one of them. GPs with Special Interests can currently get 3-year authority for continuation prescribing.
Rules last checked: 22 September 2026
Official sources: Tasmania: seeking authorisation to prescribe S8 psychostimulantsTasmania: delivering ADHD care through general practice
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
The reform
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Tasmania?
Yes. Trained-GP and patient-specific authority pathway is active, confirmed by the Tasmanian Government's 17 September 2026 announcement.
What this means
Assessment and initiation: A recognised-trained GP may assess, diagnose and apply for patient-specific authority to initiate.
Ongoing care: Available with patient-specific authority. Confirm the GP’s authority and availability before booking.
Requirements and safeguards
GP must apply for authorisation with specialist clinical report. GPs with Special Interests in ADHD and appropriate training can get 3-year authority. Poisons Act full review underway in 2026.
Rules last checked: 22 September 2026
Official sources: Tasmania: seeking authorisation to prescribe S8 psychostimulantsTasmania: delivering ADHD care through general practice
Find me an ADHD GP in Tasmania
Tell us what you need. The State-specific finder will show the current options or take you to the relevant waitlist.
Is this for you?
Who this service is designed for
Right now, some Tasmanian GPs have received full training to assess and diagnose ADHD so Tasmanian’s can get the help they need:
- You don’t yet have an ADHD diagnosis – You can see a trained Tasmanian GP to help you
- 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.
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 and any existing specialist reports before the consultation. Appointment time is spent on clinical assessment.
3
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.
4
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, with conditions. The prescriber must hold a Tasmanian s59E authority for the patient and check TasScript before prescribing.
| 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.
Comparison
GP pathway vs psychiatrist: a comparison
| GP pathway (TAS) | Psychiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time | A few weeks, depends on GP | 12 to 18 months |
| Referral needed | No | Yes (GP referral) |
| Telehealth available | Yes, all of TAS | Limited availability |
| Medicare rebate | Yes (standard GP items) | Yes (specialist items) |
| Can diagnose ADHD | Yes, trained GPs only | Yes |
| Can initiate stimulants | Yes, trained GPs only | Yes |
| Can continue stimulants | Yes (GPwSI 3-year authority) | Yes |
Your GP
No ADHD GP in Tasmania yet
Walk in with your ADHD evidence done.
From your couch, one question at a time. One file any clinician can work from, sent securely to your GP, psychiatrist or psychologist.
- ADHD questionnaire
- Observer report
- Childhood evidence
- Cover page for your doctor
It sort of gamified the intake process and wasn’t so complex that it would discourage me from giving a proper answer.
Frank · early user
