New changes to the treatment of ADHD in NSW hope to cut red tape by upskilling GPs and granting them extended powers.

Most patients who are diagnosed or in the process of seeking a diagnosis must visit a specialist, but the waiting periods often span months and years, leading to substantial costs.

Under reforms announced today, eligible GPs will be trained to diagnose, treat, prescribe and manage ADHD in children and adults.

“We are aware that individuals face lengthy wait times and significant expenses just to consult a specialist for a diagnosis,” Health Minister Ryan Park stated.

“We’re not going to stand idly by while people struggle to access life-changing treatment.”

NSW Health will open up expressions of interest and select up to 1000 GPs, who will pick between two tiers of accreditation.

Training will begin in the coming months before the reforms are rolled out in a staged approach, with an initial focus on prescriptions for children.

GPs are expected to be able to provide ongoing prescriptions for children in early 2026.

The changes are hoped to cut down the significant wait times and costs involved in seeing a specialist.

“These reforms aim to balance things toward fairness — by reducing treatment costs by hundreds of dollars, cutting red tape for thousands of families and young individuals, and providing the support necessary for people to live happier, healthier lives,” Premier Chris Minns said.

The reforms have been hailed as “life-changing” by doctors and pharmacists, who have seen patients struggling to access treatment across the state.

“As I travel across New South Wales, I hear from my colleagues about families in rural areas who travel more than seven hours to see a paediatrician, and of families in Sydney spending more than $5000 on assessments and diagnosis for ADHD,” Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ NSW Branch Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said.

“Community pharmacies see ADHD patients every day who are struggling to access a psychiatrist. This means that many ADHD patients are going without important medication,” Pharmacy Guild NSW President Mario Barone said.

But psychologists want their assessment and treatment to also be made accessible in addition to these changes. 

“Psychologists and GPs are the ideal partners to work together with diagnostic and therapeutic supports for those investigating a diagnosis of ADHD,” Australian Association of Psychologists Inc Chief Services Officer Amanda Curran said.

New South Wales follows Queensland and Western Australia in implementing reforms to make it easier to access treatment for ADHD.