In a landmark move addressing Australia’s long waiting lists and high costs for neurodevelopmental care, Queensland has become the first Australian jurisdiction to authorize specially trained General Practitioners (GPs) to diagnose, initiate, and manage medication for adults with ADHD.
Previously, only psychiatrists or paediatricians could legally diagnose and prescribe stimulant medications for adults in most of Australia, leading to wait times that often stretched for years and out-of-pocket costs reaching thousands of dollars. The new reform, which took effect recently, allows specialist GPs to take on this role, drastically increasing accessibility, particularly for patients in regional and remote areas.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) estimates this change could save eligible Queenslanders between $500 and $1,400 per person annually in healthcare costs. The reform aligns with broader national efforts to harmonize state rules for ADHD diagnosis and prescribing, a key recommendation from a federal Senate inquiry into the issue. Other states, including New South Wales and Western Australia, are also progressing with similar reforms to expand the scope of GPs in ADHD management for both adults and children.