Nearly 300 general practitioners across New South Wales can now diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, under a significant reform announced by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park that the state government says could save eligible patients up to $1500 a year in out-of-pocket costs.
The changes, which took effect this week, allow specially trained GPs to assess patients of all ages, make formal ADHD diagnoses, and begin prescribing medication. The government says the move is aimed at cutting long specialist waiting times and reducing the financial burden on families managing ADHD care.
Faster access and lower costs for ADHD patients
Under the previous arrangement, patients seeking an ADHD diagnosis typically faced waiting many months to secure an appointment with a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Minister Park said the reforms would dramatically shorten that timeline, with most patients now able to see a participating GP within days or weeks.
"We need it to make healthcare more accessible and more affordable, particularly for families," Park said. "What that means is faster diagnosis, cheaper healthcare and more accessible healthcare."
The government has committed to funding up to 2500 free GP ADHD assessments, which it says could translate to savings of as much as $1500 per year for eligible patients who would otherwise be paying specialist fees out of pocket.
Appointments for ADHD assessments through a GP will be longer than a standard consultation, reflecting the additional complexity of the evaluation process. Park described the extended format as essential to maintaining care quality while broadening access.
Regional and remote communities a key focus
Minister Park highlighted the particular benefit these changes would bring to people living outside major cities, where access to specialist mental health services has long been constrained by geography.
"For people living in regional, rural, or remote NSW it can be the tyranny of distance and long drives to get access to a specialist," he said. "What we're trying to do here is make the care closer to home."
This focus on decentralising specialist-level care mirrors broader efforts to address healthcare inequality across the state, particularly in communities where investment in regional services has been a growing policy priority.
Training, specialist support and oversight
The nearly 300 GPs who have already qualified to diagnose and treat ADHD completed a dedicated endorsed prescriber training program. Critically, they will not be working in isolation. Participating GPs are backed by specialist psychiatrists and paediatricians through the Virtual Psychiatry Hub and the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, providing a clinical safety net for complex cases.
GPs involved in the program retain the ability to refer patients on to specialists and escalate care when a patient's needs go beyond what can be managed at the primary care level.
"This is an important change," Park said. "What we need to do is be able to provide healthcare in a more accessible way and a more affordable way but still effectively."
What comes next
The rollout is set to expand significantly in the coming weeks. A further 300 GPs are expected to begin endorsed prescriber training next month, which will add substantially to the number of practitioners able to offer ADHD diagnosis and treatment across the state.
From next month, a directory of participating GP prescribers will be made available through the Healthdirect website, giving patients a straightforward way to locate a qualified provider in their area.
For families and individuals who have spent years navigating long waitlists and steep specialist fees, the reforms represent a meaningful shift in how ADHD care is delivered in New South Wales. Related reading on lifestyle factors and mental health may also be of interest to those managing ADHD and overall wellbeing.
