In a landmark shift for neurodiversity healthcare, Queensland has become the first Australian state to permit specialist General Practitioners (GPs) to initiate, modify, and continue ADHD medication for adult patients. The reform, which officially commenced in December 2025, is designed to bypass the years-long waitlists and “exorbitant” costs associated with seeing private psychiatrists.
Under the new rules, specialist GPs who have completed specific neurodiversity-affirming training modules can now provide end-to-end care for adults with ADHD. Previously, adults were required to see a psychiatrist for their initial diagnosis and medication authorization—a process that often cost patients thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket fees.
The Economic and Clinical Impact:
Cost Savings: The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) estimates that this change could save individual patients between $500 and $1,400 per year in specialist consultation fees.
Access in Regional Areas: The reform is particularly vital for rural and remote Queenslanders, who frequently live in “service deserts” without access to a local psychiatrist.
National Pressure: Advocacy groups like the ADHD Foundation Australia are now calling on other states and territories to follow Queensland’s lead to end the “postcode lottery” of ADHD care across the country.
While not all GPs will choose to prescribe, hundreds have already upskilled to meet the surging demand. Health professionals hope this model will serve as a blueprint for a more integrated, affordable, and accessible healthcare system for the estimated 400,000 adults living with ADHD in Queensland.