NSW Aims to Transform ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Approach

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General practitioners in NSW will soon gain the ability to diagnose and treat individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) following new reforms declared by the state government.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and ADHD advocates have expressed their support for these reforms, which were introduced on Monday, positioning NSW as the third state to initiate changes aimed at enhancing access to treatment.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. In Australia, over one million people, or about one in 20, are estimated to live with ADHD.

A recent Senate inquiry determined factors like geographical location, cost, stigma, gender, cultural and linguistic background, combined with varying prescribing rules across states and territories, are affecting access to diagnosis and support.

Presently, most individuals seeking diagnosis, management, and continuous medication for ADHD are required to visit a specialist — a psychiatrist for adults and a paediatrician for children.

This process is often very costly, with patients sometimes waiting months or even years for a diagnosis, or being unable to access treatment entirely, according to the NSW government.

‘Hoping to break the cycle’

Under the reforms, up to 1,000 GPs will be able to provide ongoing ADHD prescriptions for children and adults who are on stable doses of medication.

A smaller number of GPs will be able to diagnose and initiate medication where appropriate.

Under both scenarios, GPs will need to undertake accredited training and will receive support, the government said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the government aims to “break the cycle of individuals having to wait years for what could potentially be a life-changing diagnosis”.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the reforms are the “much-needed relief” families have been hoping for.

“This is about fairness — saving families hundreds of dollars and giving them quicker access to the help they need, without the long, expensive wait for a specialist,” she said.

“Too many families are stuck waiting, paying, and struggling to access basic ADHD support — especially in the regions. That’s not just frustrating, it’s fundamentally unfair.”

For children and families managing ADHD, she said the difference between getting help now and waiting years “can be life-changing”.

NSW follows Queensland, Western Australia

Under Queensland legislation, GPs can prescribe certain medications for children under the age of 18 to treat ADHD without approval.

Ahead of the WA state election in March, the government reportedly proposed reforms allowing specialist GPs to diagnose and treat patients, along with additional training in ADHD diagnosis and management.

Last December, the federal government adopted one of the Senate inquiry report’s recommendations, to expedite the development of uniform prescribing rules to ensure consistency across state and territory jurisdictions.

This was one of 15 recommendations made by the committee. The government gave “in principle” support to nine others.

‘Life-changing impacts’

RACGP NSW & ACT chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said she has heard about families in rural areas travelling more than seven hours to see a paediatrician, and families in Sydney spending more than $5,000 on assessments and diagnosis.

“This announcement will have life-changing impacts when it comes to accessing timely and affordable ADHD care for families across the state,” she said.

She said early intervention is vital, and enabling GPs with specific skills to start prescriptions for ADHD medications “will stop many children from languishing on outpatient waiting lists”.

“GPs in many parts of Australia, and around the world, are already diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medications. Our colleagues in Queensland, for example, have been safely prescribing ADHD medications since 2017.”

The Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) welcomed NSW’s reforms, which it says will improve access to care, cut waiting times and bring down costs.

However, it stressed that education and accuracy must remain central to the rollout.

“The expansion of GP roles in ADHD care is a positive and necessary step — but it’s essential that we keep accurate diagnosis at the heart of this process. Getting it right matters for every child, every adult, and every family involved,” said AADPA president, professor David Coghill.

The NSW government will seek expressions of interest from GPs to undertake education and training, funded by NSW Health, in the coming months.

The reforms will be introduced in stages, with GPs expected to be able to provide ongoing prescriptions for children early next year.