NSW Makes Getting an ADHD Diagnosis More Accessible for Children and Families

In a landmark move for ADHD care, the NSW Government has today announced sweeping changes that will allow trained General Practitioners (GPs) to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD — a shift that could dramatically improve access to timely and affordable support.

Currently, getting an ADHD diagnosis and treatment in NSW requires referral to a psychiatrist — often followed by long waitlists and significant out-of-pocket costs. Even once diagnosed, managing prescriptions can be a challenge, as GPs aren’t currently able to prescribe or adjust medication without specialist approval. Anyone with ADHD (or caring for someone with it) knows how much trial and adjustment is involved in finding the ‘sweet spot’ — the dose and timing that supports day-to-day functioning. Under the new model, up to 1,000 GPs will be trained to prescribe ongoing ADHD medication for patients already on a stable treatment plan. A smaller group will receive additional training to provide formal ADHD diagnoses and initiate treatment themselves — a first for NSW.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the change will “provide a timely, safe and appropriate pathway to care” for families across the state, especially those in regional areas where seeing a specialist can mean months, if not years, of waiting. NSW Premier Chris Minns added that the move is designed to “tilt the scales in favour of fairness.”

Why This Matters When Getting An ADHD Diagnosis

This announcement comes at a time when the demand for ADHD services is soaring. It’s estimated that one in 20 Australians are ADHD, with more than 4.6 million ADHD-related prescriptions dispensed nationally between 2023 and 2024. But getting to that prescription — or even a diagnosis — has been notoriously difficult, with many families reporting costs upward of $5,000 just for assessments.

Dr Rebekah Hoffman, Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) for NSW and ACT, says this new initiative is long overdue. “This announcement will have life-changing impacts when it comes to accessing timely and affordable ADHD care,” she shared.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson told the ABC that the reforms will put the treatment of children first."If children miss out on a diagnosis this early in life, it can have major impacts on their academic work and socialisation," she said.

The initiative also mirrors similar approaches already in place in Queensland, where GPs have been prescribing ADHD medications since 2017. WA has floated similar proposals.

What Happens Next

NSW Health will soon call for expressions of interest from GPs to undertake the necessary training, which will be funded by the state. The rollout will begin with a focus on paediatric ADHD care, acknowledging the critical impact delayed diagnosis can have on a child’s development, academic performance and mental health.

Ongoing prescriptions for children under this new framework are expected to commence in early 2026. Adult access will follow in a later stage.

Our Take

This is a significant shift that has the potential to reduce barriers, address burnout in the specialist system, and offer earlier intervention for countless families.

Like many others, our family knows the weight of navigating an adult ADHD diagnosis firsthand, including the multi-thousand-dollar price tag and the months-long waitlists that come with it. Beyond the cost and logistics, an adult diagnosis often brings with it decades of unprocessed experiences: the mental load, the ‘why was this missed,’ and the grieving for the inner child who needed support long before now.

The NSW Government’s commitment to making ADHD diagnoses and ongoing care more accessible, especially for children, is a much-needed step forward. It has the potential to dismantle stigma, lessen the burden on already stretched families, and ultimately support neurodivergent people earlier and more effectively.

It’s also a reminder of how far we still have to go. We’d love to see other states follow this lead and prioritise neuro-affirming care in a way that is timely, affordable, and inclusive.

As implementation details unfold, we’ll be watching closely to ensure these reforms truly deliver the inclusive, equitable ADHD care that’s long been needed.

We’ll continue to share updates on our blog and social channels as the rollout progresses.