ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Access Expanding Across Australia

National Prescription Trends Reveal Major Shifts

2.36% of Australian adults aged 20–65 filled at least one ADHD medication prescription in the 2025 financial year.

Data from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) shows that the national prescription rate has increased nearly 600% since 2017. The gender ratio has also shifted dramatically: while men outnumbered women in 99% of neighborhoods in 2020, by 2024 women outnumbered men in 94% of neighborhoods.

A strong generational effect is evident, with women aged 20–44 more likely to fill a prescription than older women. Age is now a larger differentiating factor than gender overall.

Geographic Disparities: "ADHD Deserts" vs. High-Prescribing Areas

Western Australia contains 13 of the 20 highest ADHD prescription dispensing neighborhoods nationally, with Fremantle recording the highest rate in the state and nationally. In Victoria, the highest prescription rates are in Brunswick, Coburg, and Darebin South. In New South Wales, higher rates are found in the Marrickville, Sydenham, and Petersham area and the Blue Mountains.

Conversely, areas with low prescription rates—described as "ADHD deserts"—include Fairfield in south-west Sydney, where the 0.3% rate suggests up to 90% of adults with ADHD may be undiagnosed and untreated.

In some high-prescribing areas such as Fremantle, current rates for women may be as high as 8%, which exceeds the commonly cited adult prevalence estimate of 2.5% to 3%.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data from 2024 indicated a 450% increase in adult ADHD medication use between 2012–13 and 2022–23. Prescription rates are more than double in Australia's most advantaged areas compared to the most disadvantaged.

Expert Perspectives on the Data

Dr. Kyle Hoath, a psychiatrist, stated that Western Australia has historically had higher rates of ADHD treatment than other states.

Professor David Coghill, a psychiatrist, said the data variation suggests both missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses are occurring.

Professor Mark Bellgrove of Monash University stated that many women are coming forward due to struggles with self-esteem and daily functioning, and noted reported interactions between estrogen and dopamine that may exacerbate symptoms during puberty and perimenopause—but emphasized a lack of high-quality data in this area.

Professor Nick Glozier of the University of Sydney suggested social context may contribute, citing increased cognitive demands of modern life, multiple responsibilities, and the influence of digital platforms.

State-by-State Reforms to GP-Led ADHD Care

Victoria: $750,000 Investment in GP Training

The Victorian Government's 2026–27 budget includes a commitment to allow specially trained GPs to diagnose and manage ADHD.

The government has allocated $750,000 to fund accredited training for an initial 150 GPs. These GPs are expected to begin receiving accreditation from September 2025, with training anticipated to be completed before the end of the year.

The reforms will apply to individuals aged six and older. GPs involved in the initiative will also consider non-medication care options, including lifestyle strategies and referrals for behavioral therapy, psychology, and educational support.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt stated that these changes are intended to provide more Victorians with opportunities, addressing the effects of undiagnosed or untreated ADHD. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas confirmed the training of 150 GPs across the state, with a focus on geographic distribution to serve rural, remote, and outer-suburban areas. Premier Jacinta Allan stated that the goal is to make ADHD care more accessible and affordable for families.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) expressed support for the announcement. Dr. Anita Muñoz, Victorian Chair of RACGP, highlighted the importance of early intervention for children and noted that GPs can provide comprehensive care, including advice on sleep hygiene, screen time management, and counseling. The RACGP has stated that access to ADHD care currently varies by postcode.

New South Wales: Strong GP Interest in Training

Nearly 600 GPs have expressed interest in training to diagnose and treat ADHD starting in March. The training program prioritizes GPs in regional, rural, and remote areas.

This initiative follows a previous phase where over 800 GPs were trained to issue repeat ADHD medication prescriptions. Since September 1, 2025, more than 5,000 patients have benefited from this arrangement, with over 18,000 scripts filled.

Training costs for GPs will be covered by NSW Health, and a remuneration package is available for those who complete the training. A waiting list will be maintained for future training opportunities.

Australian Capital Territory: Changes to Prescribing Authority

Canberra GPs who have completed approved training are now authorized to prescribe ADHD medication for eligible patients aged six years or older who are stable on their existing medication and have a diagnosis from a relevant specialist.

GPs will no longer require repeated reviews from a psychiatrist, paediatrician, or neurologist for patients to access their medication, and will not need approval from the Chief Health Officer (CHO) to continue prescribing.

Conversely, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and neurologists are now required to obtain CHO approval to prescribe ADHD medications to patients within defined dosage ranges. Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith stated that these changes aim to reduce treatment delays, ease demand for referrals and appointments, and lessen administrative burdens.

Further reforms are anticipated later this year to allow GPs with additional training to diagnose ADHD and initiate medication.

Queensland: First State to Allow GP-Led Adult Diagnosis

Queensland allows all fully qualified GPs to diagnose adult ADHD without further training and permits them to diagnose and treat children. Queensland became the first state in December 2024 to permit GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication for adults with ADHD without requiring additional upskilling.

National Context: No Uniform Guidelines

There are no uniform national guidelines for ADHD diagnosis and treatment; each state sets its own rules. Victoria's reforms follow similar initiatives in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency updated telehealth guidelines in late 2024 in response to concerns about prescribing practices.

Factors Driving Diagnostic Variation

Experts cited several potential factors for the geographic and demographic variation in prescription rates:

• Socio-economic advantage and the cost of assessment, which can reach several thousand dollars
• Increased awareness and acceptance of ADHD, potentially influenced by social media
• The rise of telehealth clinics offering ADHD assessments, which may improve access but have raised questions about diagnostic reliability
• The subjective nature of ADHD diagnosis, as symptoms overlap with other mental health conditions

Prevalence data cited by the RACGP indicates that ADHD affects 6–10% of children and adolescents and 2–6% of adults in Australia.

In Victoria, up to 163,000 children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD. Nationally, over 800,000 Australians have been diagnosed with ADHD, though the ADHD Foundation Australia estimates the number could be as high as 1 million.

Concerns, Safeguards, and Access Barriers

Clinical Concerns

Experts noted potential harms from incorrect diagnosis, including untreated underlying mental health conditions. One study found 77.9% of children with ADHD had another disorder. ADHD symptoms can mimic other conditions.

ADHD medications—psychostimulants mostly based on amphetamines—carry side effects such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia. Emergency doctors in multiple states reported an anecdotal increase in psychosis presentations potentially linked to prescribed ADHD medications, according to Dr. Jacqueline Huber and Dr. Danielle McMullen of the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

Professor David Coghill noted that untreated ADHD is associated with higher risks of substance use disorders and accidents.

Safeguards and Regulation

A framework proposed in the Internal Medicine Journal includes:

• Mandatory training for all ADHD prescribers
• Formalised shared care pathways between GPs, paediatricians, and psychiatrists
• Structured templates for GP assessments
• Periodic review of medications and side effects
• Stronger regulation of advertising and business models
• Research and monitoring of prescribing changes

Concerns have been raised about commercial models, including telehealth prescribers and vertically-integrated clinics that prescribe and dispense medication, potentially incentivizing overprescribing. An estimated 18% of people prescribed stimulants for ADHD had given their medication to others.

Access Barriers Remain Significant

There is no publicly funded ADHD service system in Australia; diagnosis typically occurs in the private system.

Current comprehensive ADHD assessments in Victoria can cost up to $2,000 and involve wait times ranging from six to 12 months. In some areas, lower prescription rates suggest significant proportions of adults with ADHD may remain undiagnosed and untreated.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has raised concerns about potential misdiagnosis and emphasized the need for specialist training and oversight for GPs, suggesting a shared care model after initial specialist diagnosis. Some clinicians, such as Professor Jon Jureidini of the Critical Psychiatry Network Australasia, have questioned the concept of ADHD as an independent neurodevelopmental disorder treatable by specific medications and raised concerns about overdiagnosis and overmedication.

Disclosure: Journalist Norman Swan was paid to speak at a 2018 conference sponsored by Shire, the former manufacturer of ADHD medication Vyvanse.